Page 228 of Modern Romance January 2025 5-8

Like Juliet, she’d decided it was time to face up to things.

INCINTA

She couldn’t be pregnant.

But the pink word insisted she was.

‘No...’

Susie shook her head and then checked the instructions again, told herself the test was surely wrong.

Because she wasnotgoing to be pregnant by some family law attorney who was too cynical for words and couldn’t even commit to a week ahead, let alone a relationship.

She started to cry, and it was like a dam breaking.

She’d been on the edge of tears so many times, but now, as her entire world shifted, she broke down.

She lay on her bed and hugged her beautiful white jacket. She knew she’d have to say no to the apprenticeship.

And of course she’d have to tell Dante.

But how?

She would head back to England and deal with things there, she decided. Because, despite what she’d said to Dante that morning, she did not want to be the talk of this town.

Oh, and she would be. The two brothers couldn’t even have a small scuffle on the walls without word getting out. Imagine the gossip about an apprentice chef at Pearla’s being pregnant by Dante Casadio...

She didn’t want it for herself, nor for Dante, nor Gio...

No, she didn’t want her baby to be a piece of scandalous gossip.

Nor an accident.

She was certain that was whatshe’dbeen. And it told her what she didn’t want for her own child.

She wanted to be a confident, loving mother.

Not one who resented giving up her fledgling career...

The tears stopped then, and there was a very wobbly sense of calm...

She’d be okay, Susie told herself.

Not for a second would she think of this as an accident.

Susie limped through the week on autopilot.

She even made a cake for her own birthday...

Susie

Happy 25th

‘When’s the party?’ Louanna asked.

Juliet sat with a little frown between her green eyes, watching Susie piping hearts and flowers...

‘Tomorrow,’ Susie replied.