Page 55 of The King's Secret Baby

CHAPTER 26

HAILEY

Ifind Luca in his study, his brow furrowed as he scans a stack of papers. He looks up when I enter, his expression softening. Joy ripples through me.

It’s only been a few days since we spent the night together, and ever since then we’ve been sneaking kisses here and there throughout the days and spending every night together in his room. He’s made no effort to hide our burgeoning romance from the palace staff, which makes me more pleased than I can put into words.

“Hello, sweetness. How are you?” He sets the papers aside, giving me his full attention.

“I’m stir-crazy,” I admit, perching on the edge of his desk. “It’s gorgeous out. I was thinking we could go to the lake? Get some fresh air?”

Luca’s smile falters. He reaches for my hand, his thumb skimming my knuckles.

“I wish I could. But we need to be careful, Hailey. Keep things private for now. Remember?”

Irritation prickles under my skin. “Luca, I haven’t left the palace in weeks. I feel like a prisoner.”

“You’re not a prisoner.” He sighs, squeezing my fingers. “I’m trying to protect you. Protect us. Until I can figure out how to handle this publicly.”

I tug my hand free, my earlier restlessness sharpening into frustration. He’s been “figuring things out” ever since I told him I was pregnant, and it hasn’t gotten us anywhere yet. It feels like we’re just biding time until the coronation.

“Well, maybe I’m tired of needing your protection.”

His eyes widen at my sharp tone. “Hailey?—”

But I’m already turning away, striding out of his study before he can finish. The halls blur as I blink back sudden tears.

It’s not that I don’t understand his caution. But understanding it doesn’t make it any easier to bear.

I’m in the garage before I fully register my destination, sliding into one of the sleek cars. The engine purrs to life under my touch, thanks to the key that one of the servants handed over. Apparently being a guest at the palace can get you almost anything you ask for.

Luca will be furious if he finds out that I’m leaving the grounds. But in this moment, sweating in the stifling heat, our child fluttering in my womb, I can’t bring myself to care.

What he doesn’t know can’t hurt him, and so I head down the long drive, through the gate, and to the lake only a few miles away. Finding a parking spot, I slip to the edge, where families are enjoying themselves on blankets.

The water sparkles invitingly under the afternoon sun as I wade in, my sundress billowing around my thighs. Delicious coolness laps at my skin, soothing away the worst of the heat.

I tip my head back, savoring the play of sunlight on my face. The rhythmic slosh of gentle waves is the only sound, wrapping me in blissful solitude.

If only Luca were here to share this stolen moment of peace. His strong arms around me, his lips brushing my temple…

“Excuse me, miss?”

I startle at the voice, whirling to face the shore. A man stands at the water’s edge, a curious tilt to his head as he studies me. Recognition lights his eyes.

“You’re her, aren’t you? The prince’s girlfriend?”

Ice slithers down my spine despite the oppressive heat. “I’m sorry; I think you have me confused with someone else.”

“No, it’s definitely you. From that photo in the gardens with Prince Luca.”

I curse inwardly, my brief contentment shattering. Of course people haven’t forgotten that damned picture. How foolish of me to imagine otherwise.

The man is still talking, oblivious to my rising panic. “What are you doing out here alone? Is it true that you moved here just to be with the prince?”

I force my leaden legs to move, wading back to shore as quickly as I can manage. “I’m sorry, but I really must be going.”

The man trails after me, questions tumbling from his lips faster than I can deflect them. “Wait! Can you just tell me?—”

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