Page 36 of The Prince's Green Card Scheme

“Defend?” I ask. I haven’t seen anything that looks like defense.

She nods, frowning like she’s confused that I don’t know what she’s talking about. “Yes. Yesterday. In the evening, he told me all about his brothers. How they had taken him aside and started to say such horrible things about you. I have never seen him so angry about something like this before.”

“He was angry? For me?”

“He chose you, Chloe. I do not pretend I know all of the details, and I am not telling you it should be easy. Of course, this does not mean you should forgive him immediately. But at least give him the chance to work for it.”

“Is it worth it?” I whisper.

All this time, I’ve been so focused on the way Paolo has used me, I had convinced myself that that night we shared together, the way it felt, that it was all inside my head. That I had been the one who had got caught up in it, and Paolo’s shows of emotion were an act. That all of his smiles had been working towards a goal.

Could he actuallyreallyhave fallen for me?

Maria meets my gaze. “I told you last night of the young stupid playboy that he was. If I were you, I would not let him forget it. But he does have a chance to be more than he is. There has always been something buried deep inside his heart that has been screaming to get out. I think perhaps we should let him try to prove who else he can be.”

Long after returning to my room after breakfast, Maria’s words run through my head. Who else can Paolo be?

I think I already know the answer to that question.

CHAPTER 18

PAOLO

Istay in my bed until lunchtime, relishing the familiar feel of my own pillows. Even though I’ve been sleeping in this bed again for two months now, I’m still grateful for the warm embrace of memory foam after a year of horrible hotel pillows.

Has it been a coward move to hide myself away?

Maybe. But I didn’t want to bump into anyone who would talk to me, and I definitely didn’t want to face my brothers. I had way too much of them yesterday.

It would be so easy to lie here until the sun sets, letting people bring food to me and shutting the world away. But I have things to do, and I shouldn’t abandon Chloe all day.

If I’m not careful, Maria will start telling her stories about me, and then Chloe will hate me more than she already does. At least I know Maria will look after her.

It makes me feel better to know that Chloe will be in safe hands.

Eventually, the bell for lunch rings, and I force myself up. I have to face this day eventually.

After all, I only have a few days left to try and convince Chloe not to leave me forever.

There’s a lot of work to do.

I jump quickly in the shower, then trim my beard before I head down to the dining room. There, I find Chloe sitting alone, eating one of the dishes the chef has prepared for us.

“Morning,” I say.

She starts and turns to look at me, her face immediately softening into a smile when she realizes who I am, before hardening again into a practiced neutral. I swallow my own smile, not wanting her to think I’m smug about having noticed the cracks in her façade. “It’s moreafternoonnow, isn’t it?” she says.

“Maybe.” I shrug. “Whatever. I’m hungry. What’s for lunch?”

“Not sure,” she says, her mouth full. “Some sort of chicken salad, I think.”

I look at the table and smile. “You know what? That is pretty much how I would translate it. This is one of Bellamare’s best dishes.”

“It’s pretty good,” she agrees.

I take a seat next to her and scoop food onto my own plate. The thing about skipping breakfast is I’m absolutely ravenous now.

We sit in silence as we eat, and out of the corner of my eye I keep catching glimpses of her. I’m trying not to appear like I’m looking, but I can’t help stealing glances every few seconds.

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