Page 73 of Signed, Sealed, Married

Yet he stopped, mouth clamping into a flat line.

She couldn’t believe it. ‘You’re actually walking away from the company?’

He dragged a hand across his scalp in a gesture of frustration or tiredness. Gisèle hardened her heart, refusing to feel sorry for him.

‘I’m returning the company to you and Julien. Fontaine’s will be run by the family as it always has been.’

Pain banded Gisèle’s chest. It was a moment before she realised she’d forgotten to breathe.

So it was true. Unbelievably Adam was discarding the prize he’d been so determined to win. Just as well she was holding on to the table as the world wheeled about her.

‘And us?’

‘Don’t worry, acquiring the company was my decision and I’ll wear the costs. You and Julien owe me nothing.’

The pain was back, except this time it wasn’t just in her chest. She ached all over as if every muscle and bone drew tight under the most tremendous pressure.

If she’d needed proof, there it was. When she’d asked aboutus, she’d meant Adam and her. But his first thought was the company, her and Julien.

Sharply she sat back, chin lifting in an automatic attempt to hide distress. Yet it took a moment to find her voice. ‘That doesn’t sound like a clever business decision.’

His jaw tightened. ‘It’smydecision.’

Nowhe was back, the billionaire businessman who called the shots.

Was the generous lover who’d changed her world a mirage? Had she imagined tenderness between them because she’d wanted it so badly?

Once before she’d thought a man cared for her, only to discover he wasn’t really interested inher. Had Adam decided that with his interest in Fontaine’s waning, he no longer required his French wife? After all, she’d only been an addendum in a business deal.

Gisèle shot to her feet and swung away. She couldn’t listen to any more, not yet, not when she hurt so much.

But she had to know. She sucked in a burning breath. ‘So your focus now is on the US, yes?’

After a moment he spoke. ‘That’s right.’

Still it didn’t make sense. It was bizarre to go to so much effort only to drop the project. Gisèle stared at the glittering sea. ‘And our marriage? Is that over too?’

His chair scraped the flagstones but he didn’t approach. ‘If you like.’

Her vision blurred and she wrapped her arms around her waist as she stifled a sob.If she liked. As if he didn’t care either way. Not a ringing endorsement!

Desperate determination was all that kept her standing. ‘You want to move on to greener pastures.’

Had it hurt this much when she lost her family? She’d forgotten such bone-deep anguish was possible.

The rush of blood in her ears masked his footsteps, for suddenly his voice came from behind her. His breath stirred her hair, sending cascading goosebumps across her scalp and shoulders.

‘What Iwantis for you to be happy.’

His voice was as tight as her bottled-up emotions.

‘How very...kind of you, Adam.’

He said something under his breath she couldn’t catch. ‘Hardly kind. Not after the way I’ve treated you.’

‘Don’t you mean the way you’re treating me now?’ She swung around, an unsteady laugh erupting from her throat. ‘Off with the old and on with the new. Is that it? You’ve found someone in America to replace me?’

Where that came from she had no idea. She hadn’t even let herself think such a thing. But the bitterness consuming her was unstoppable.

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