Page 18 of Coerced Wife
I hesitate. “There’s something I have to tell you.”
She arches a brow.
“Sav isn’t the father of my baby.”
Shock washes over her features. “You could’ve fooled me. He’s so…”
“Protective?”
“Yeah.” She searches my eyes. “Is the biological father in the picture?”
I shake my head.
“It doesn’t matter,” she says. “Sav obviously loves youandyour baby. From what I’ve seen, he’s not the kind of man who makes decisions lightly. He knows what he signed up for.”
I don’t correct her, and I don’t feel lighter for getting that off my chest because even though I gave her a part of the truth, I’m not being completely honest with her. “I should’ve told you sooner.”
“Hey,” she says. “Your private life is nobody’s business, but I’m glad you shared that with me.”
I bite my lip, considering how to phrase my question. “Does Richard know anyone who deals with wills and things like that?”
“You mean as in what happens to your estate when you’re dead?”
“Yes.” I do my best to keep a poker face. “I need someone I can trust.”
She frowns. “Is everything okay?”
“Sure.” I force a laugh. “I just want to put measures in place if anything happens to me.”
Her brow smooths out. “You want to make sure your baby is taken care of.”
Something like that.
She smiles. “Having children sure changes one’s perspectives on life, doesn’t it? I’m sure he has a few contacts. I’ll ask him.”
“Thanks.” I avert my eyes and set the spoon in my saucer. “I appreciate that.”
When I look up, she’s studying me.
Leaning over, she pats my hand. “You know it’s normal to have weird feelings and nightmares when you’re pregnant, right?”
Weird doesn’t come close to describing my situation, but I can’t tell her about that. I can’t confide in anyone, especially not if I care about them.
“How was the wedding?” she asks, putting on a bright expression.
“Strange.” I search for the right words. “I mean it was pretty with beautiful flowers, and the bride looked gorgeous, but…”
She remains quiet, waiting for me to finish.
I don’t tell her that it was an arranged marriage, that Elena looked miserable and that Raphael was drunk before the end of the party. I don’t mention that the groom took his bride upstairs to consummate the marriage while the family waited downstairs to be presented with the bloody sheet. Saverio told me about the tradition, but thankfully, he took me home long before then. I especially don’t relay what Saverio and I did inElena’s bedroom. The memory alone sends heat to my cheeks.
“Spill it,” Tersia says. “I can see something bothers you.”
“I met Saverio’s ex-wife,” I blurt out.
Tersia’s eyes bulge. “I didn’t know he was married.”
My smile is wry. Neither did I. “How are you getting on with Richard’s ex?”