Page 147 of Heart of The Night

The sound of the nearby river was a constant presence, its gurgling waters a slight relief against the overwhelming warmth. I gravitated toward the sparse shade of towering pine trees, their needles shimmering in the harsh sunlight, casting a mosaic of light and shadow on the ground. The trail was a mix of gravel and sand, and each step kicked up a crunch, breaking the silence of the hot air.

Ahead, Andy and Chloe navigated the path with ease, with their son Sebastian securely strapped to Andy’s back, his little face shaded by a white hat. His wide, brown eyes remained fixed on me, brimming with curiosity, as if he was expecting me to stumble any moment, or maybe he was just fascinated by the sweat dripping down my face. Sometimes, he’d wave his hands and giggle, and I’d muster a smile at him.

Further up the trail, Jason and Olivia moved in sync with Alex and Ivy. The gap between us had steadily widened since we started our hike about half an hour ago, but I resisted the urge to hurry, knowing my limits. I was carrying extra weight, after all. In my womb.

‘Would you like some water?’ William asked from behind me, his tone wary, as if he feared triggering my temper. My fuse was already short thanks to my raging hormones, and the stifling heat only made it worse.

For a fleeting moment, I regretted my decision to join this hike. I could have been relaxing on Alexander’s yacht, lounging in the cool shade and dipping into the refreshing blue waters at my leisure. But Jason, having talked about this destination for months, had sparked a stubborn determination in me. I needed to reach the mountain lake at the top. Absolutely had to.

‘Yeah,’ I replied to William, pausing to steady my breath. He quickly slid his backpack off, pulled out a water bottle and handed it to me. As I took a long drink, he grabbed my cap, jogged to the river, and soaked it. When he returned and placed the cool cap back on my head, the relief was immediate. My nascent headache ebbed away as the coolness seeped through.

‘Better?’ he asked, a smile playing on his lips as he watched my reaction.

‘So much better,’ I said, touching the damp cap. ‘Really clever, that. What a hack.’

‘Got to keep my team healthy,’ he said, his hand coming to rest lovingly on my belly. ‘Five months along, and here we are climbing mountains. If it gets too much, just say the word. We can head back. No point pushing too hard.’

‘No, turning back isn’t an option,’ I said firmly, giving him a strict look. ‘I need to see it.’

He smirked, his eyes flicking toward Jason, who was already a small figure in the distance, and then back at me. ‘All right, but don’t rush yourself. They’ll wait for us at the top.’

I nodded, letting my eyes wander over him as I drank some more – his light-blue T-shirt, his strong arms, and the scar on his left bicep, a memento from a past that had tried to tear us apart.

‘You might want to slap on some more sunscreen,’ I said, noticing the reddening tint creeping across his sun-kissed skin.

He inspected his arms, then nodded in agreement. As he applied another layer, my thoughts drifted to the stack of transaction files sitting on my desk back in London.

‘Do you reckon we’ll be able to finalise the merger agreement with Brightwell Technologies before I go on maternity leave?’ I asked, watching absentmindedly as William’s hands splayed over his tan legs, rubbing in the lotion.

He looked up, his expression neutral, though he knew my work on this deal could set my career on a new trajectory. ‘Yes,’ he said confidently and stretched back up. ‘I’ll make sure of it. I’ll burn the midnight oil every day if that’s what it takes.’

I reached out, my hands finding his, and drew him into a kiss, my heart swelling with a profound gratitude.

‘Thank you – for all that you do,’ I murmured softly as I pulled away, knowing his tireless dedication was a cornerstone of not just our careers, but our life together.

His smile was warm, filled with a promise of unwavering support. ‘Anything for you, darling. Always. Same goes for this one,’ he murmured, bringing our entwined fingers to my belly.

I grinned and kissed him again, my heart throbbing with boundless affection. Every day, I loved him more and more.

‘Oi!’ Andy’s voice floated down from ahead, his silhouette framed against the sky as he stood on a large boulder, surveying the trail below. ‘Everything all right back there?’

‘Yeah!’ William replied. He quickly put on his backpack and took my hand again as we pressed on up the steep path.

The hike was gruelling. My clothes clung to my skin, drenched in sweat that made every movement a reminder of the oppressive heat. The soaked cap on my head provided some relief, yet my legs weighed down heavily with each step. The dryness in my throat returned swiftly as we pushed higher, each breath a battle against the sweltering Corsican summer.

Finally, the landscape opened to reveal Lac de Capitello, its waters free from ice and shimmering under the late-afternoon sun. The stark beauty of the lake, cradled by steep rocks and open skies, was breathtaking. Most of our group was already frolicking in the water, their laughter echoing across the surface. Chloe, sitting at the lake’s edge, gently rocked Sebastian, soothing him against the backdrop of rugged peaks.

‘Cara!’ Jason called out, his voice bouncing over the water. ‘Come on, get in! The temperature’s perfect!’

Peeling off my sweaty T-shirt and shorts, I stood in my knickers and sports bra, my pregnant belly proudly protruding. William charged past me, having quickly stripped down to his shorts, a joyful laugh escaping before he dove into the water, his entry clean and swift. When he resurfaced, he slicked back his hair with one hand, a wide grin on his face.

‘He’s not lying – it’s divine!’

Encouraged, I waded into the lake, the cool water a balm to my heated skin. With a deep breath, I submerged myself, feeling the lake washing away the fatigue of the climb.

After a rejuvenating swim, we settled on the rocky shore to dry off under the sun’s persistent gaze. William and I, along with the rest of the group, unpacked our lunches, relishing the simple, hearty sandwiches and fresh fruit that tasted especially delightful in the clean mountain air.

As we lounged, Jason beckoned Olivia closer to the edge of the lake, pointing toward the horizon where the rugged peaks met the sky in a dance of natural splendour.

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