Page 88 of Selfish Desires

“But I put everyone in danger, Wendy,” I countered, hanging my head in shame. “All this happened because of me.”

“Vincent, look at me,” Wendy said, her voice firm. I lifted my head and met her gaze. Her eyes sparkled with determination. “We're all here, alive and together. We managed to survive this because we have each other. I just wished you realized this on your own.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded, looking into her eyes with relief. The ropes around my hands fell away as Zachary finally managed to cut them off. I flexed my fingers and stood up, brushing off the dirt from my clothes. And just when I flicked the last speck of dirt from my shirt, Wendy kneeled over, puking bile all over my shoes. Without thinking, I grabbed her shoulders, catching her.

“Aw, baby. Is it morning sickness?”

“No. Maybe.” Wendy straightened and pushed me away. “You don’t get to call me baby anytime soon.” She pointed a finger at my chest.

“But, what about before? When we thought it was the end? You’re so angry now?” I took one vomit step forward, not even caring.

“Yeah, that was when I thought I was about to die. I refused to live my last moments pissed at you. I decided to embrace peace. But now? I’m going to be angry with you.”

“Wendy, I just want you to know I’m nothing without you. The last three weeks apart, I have been nothing. Just tell me what I need to do to earn you and our baby back. I’ll do anything, I swear.”

“Well, if you want back into my life, this baby’s life?” She ran a hand over her flat stomach. “You’re going to have to work for it this time. Really work for it,” Wendy added, her voice dripping with an icy resolve.

I nodded, swallowing hard. “I will. Every day you need apart from me will be another day to show you that you are the only thing on my mind.” I couldn’t take my eyes off all that fiery determination in hers. “I'll do whatever it takes to make things right.”

“How many times do you think you can keep saying that, Vincent?” Wendy smirked before peering at Cyrus. “Can you take me home?”

“Sure, Newport isn’t too far from here,” Cyrus replied.

“No. I want to go home to New York,” said Wendy, locking eyes with me, and then she walked to the door, never looking back.

“I think you should go to the hospital.” I swallowed. “Just to make sure you and the baby are okay.”

Wendy stopped mid-step, her hand lingering over the dusty doorknob. Her back tensed as she peered over her shoulder. “Okay, Cyrus and I will go. I’ll let you know what happens.”

And then Wendy was gone.

Again.

I was fine. The doctor in the emergency room was able to spot a heartbeat at not even six weeks old when I arrived there with Cyrus after my near-death experience, and I was thrilled.

I told Vincent the news and the first question he asked was if he could see me.

I said no. I needed some time.

It had been a month since I moved from Newport back to New York. I hadn’t found a rental, but luckily, I had great friends to fall back on while I figured things out: Blair and Zachary. They allowed me to stay in one of their guest rooms while I apartment-hunted and searched for jobs. The cafe in Newport continued to run, thanks to Marissa, and I even brought her on as a co-owner. I figured I could split my time between New York and Newport to help Marissa run the business before the baby arrived. It was only fair.

“Wendy, guess what?” Blair popped her head into my room while knocking on the white doorframe.

“What?” I smiled from bed. Today, the morning sickness hit hard; lying down was the only way to center my empty stomach.

“You have another flower delivery.” Blair popped her brow. “Do I need to tell you who it’s from?” She bit her bottom lip while rocking on her heels.

“No need.” I rolled my eyes, sitting up and, delightfully, zero nausea or dizziness.

“Wait, there’s more. Today, an entire cart of your favorite snacks arrived. Not to mention a top-of-the-line cooling blanket because Vincent knows you run hot when you sleep. Did you open up all those first edition books you always wanted yet? I still can’t believe Vincent tracked those down. Literally, every single one of your favorite authors he pegged down. Half of them are signed, too. Did you see?”

“Yes, I saw everything, Blair.” I ran my hand through my hair, messing it slightly.

“I mean, he is really trying.” Blair took a tentative step into the sun-drenched room, playing with her fingernails.

“You, of all people? You’re suddenly on team Vincent?” I shook my head, fighting off the gnawing ache to return one of his many missed calls.

“Well, I wouldn't say 'team Vincent,' per se,” Blair replied, shrugging her shoulders and avoiding eye contact. She was reluctant to broach this topic, yet she couldn’t ignore the man’s persistent efforts. “I'm just saying he seems... sincere.”

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