Elizabeth waved her little arm in the arm. It could have been from the fact that’s she didn’t have full control of her muscles yet but Sadie saw it as a sign. “Ellie it is.”
“That’s a beautiful sight.”
Sadie had been so engrossed in her daughter that she’d forgotten Rhys was still in the room. For a split second, she wondered if she should cover up but then thought against it. It wasn’t as if he hadn’t seen it already, besides, feeding her child this way was the most natural thing in the world. She would not be shamed by covering up in her own home.
“It’s just a feeding,” Sadie said as casually as she could. It felt comfortable with Rhys standing by watching them. She could almost imagine they were a family but Sadie quickly fought backthe feelings she would rather not resurrect.
“I know, but it’s a beautiful thing to watch two of my favorite girls together.”
“Rhys, don’t.”
“Don’t what? Stop loving you? Because if you think I can turn off my feelings at the drop of a hat then I can’t. I love you Sadie and I want us to be together as a family. And I’m not going to hide how I feel anymore. I’ve tiptoed around the issue while Elizabeth was in the hospital but I’m not going to pretend any longer. I want you back.”
“You can’t always get what you want!” she snapped making Elizabeth fuss. “She stroked her daughter’s cheek. “It’s okay, angel. Mommy didn’t mean to frighten you.”
Once the baby continued to feed, she turned her attention back to Rhys. “Look, now is not the time or place to discuss something that isn’t going to happen. It didn’t work out between us and now it’s time to move on.”
Rhys clenched his fists at his sides. “Just tell me one thing and I’ll drop it.”
Sadie released a weary sigh. “What?”
“Tell me you don’t love me anymore.”
“Of course I’ll always have love for you. You’re my child’s father.”
“Cut the crap. Tell me you’re not in love with me. Look me in the eye and do it.”
Sadie was a terrible liar. She raised her head and stared into his fierce gaze, but the words simply wouldn’t come. After opening her mouth and closing it again, she looked down at Elizabeth. “What the two of us had is over, okay? Just let it go.”
“You can’t say it can you? What are you so afraid of?”
“And why can’t you simply accept that we are over? Why can’t you take no for an answer? Just please, go. Tell the guests I’ll be out shortly.”
Rhys flared his nostrils, and he looked as if he wanted to continue the discussion but he headed to the door. Before he walked out, Rhys turned to her. “This conversation isn’t over by a long shot.”
Sadie didn’t bother to answer. Once he was gone, she hastily wiped away a tear that she was thankful didn’t fall in his presence. He’d asked her what she was scared of but the truth was, Sadie was scared of everything.