Page 35 of The Rancher's Pregnancy Surprise

"I'm sorry," Ronan said rawly. He meant to tell her that it was only his subconscious that had recognized the resemblance between her and Lena. And that the more time he had spent with her, such similarities had mattered less and less. He had meant to assure her that she was still the only woman who ever mattered.

But as soon as he heard her cry out, and the machine monitoring her vitals started beeping more rapidly, Ronan realized that it was too late, and that Acacia had completely misunderstood everything.

"Every time we were together," she choked out. "You...y-you were t-thinking of her, w-weren't you?"

Ronan's face went ashen. "No. Acacia, no—"

"You used me," she choked out, her hands moving protectively over her belly. "You made love to me while seeing someone else."

"That's not true." Ronan reached for her, his expression desperate. "Please, let me explain. It wasn't like that—"

"You already admitted it!" The words tore from her throat. "You wanted me because I look like her. What else is there to explain?"

Ronan could see the horror and disgust in her eyes, could see exactly what she was thinking, and self-loathing crashed over him in waves. He had done this to her. His cowardice, his inability to face his own past, had led them here.

"Listen to me," he said urgently, gripping her hand tightly. "What happened on that bus—what's been happening between us—it's never been about her. Yes, your resemblance to Lena may have triggered something initially, but I didn't even realize it then. I swear to you, every moment since has been about you. Only you."

But Acacia was shaking her head, tears streaming down her face. The monitors shrilled as her heart rate spiked dangerously.

"Please get out."

"Let me—"

"Get out!" Her voice broke on the words, and the monitors shrilled as her heart rate spiked dangerously.

The nurses entered her room just as she cried out, and Ronan knew that would be it for him. He saw her curl into a ball as he rose to his feet, his heart shattering at the sight.

"Acacia—"

One of the nurses shook her head at him. "I'm sorry, Dr. Slater. But we need you to vacate the room."

Ronan stepped out, each movement feeling like he was dragging himself through quicksand. And as soon as the door closed behind him, he heard her start to cry, the sound muffled but unmistakable.

And this sound...

This was also how it sounded if the sun was to stop shining for good.

Chapter Twelve

THE DESERT AIR OF NAMJAwraps around me like a warm embrace as I stand on the private balcony of one of the guest suites in the royal palace. It's been two weeks since I had left Hartland. Two weeks since I last cried. Two weeks since Ronan broke my heart and shattered my dreams.

Did you want me the first time because I look like your ex?

I still remember how he had stared at me, and how the raw look on his handsome face had given me all the answers I didn't want to hear even when he had yet to say a word.

"Your tea is here, milady."

The attendant's soft accented English draws me out of my thoughts, and I turn around to muster up a smile of thanks even when I still feel numb. The only time my heart starts beating again is when I feel my daughter kick inside of me...or when it starts to ache so, so badly every time I'm alone in my room at night, and I'm crying out to God.

Help me.

Please.

I can't do this alone.

I tuck my knees under my chin as I watch the sun set, and all I can think of is how God is still so good to me. I don't even know why this surprises me after everything, but it does.

It's because of God that I have friends like Story and Raj. They had taken one look at me in that hospital room, and they had immediately flown me out of Hartland, their tone gentle but brooking no argument as they told me I needed time to rest and heal.

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