Page 68 of Dangerous Vows

“That’s where you’re wrong. I won’t abandon my child. I won’t be tricked into marrying you, but the baby is a part of my life. You’ll remain here, under my protection.”

“No, I’ll live at my place.” I push on his chest to get away, but his arms act as vise grips. I’m inexplicably trapped in a forced proximity arrangement because of the baby and the fact that he refuses to let me go.

I’m dazed by how quickly he dismisses me. I’ve ceased to exist to him, and it pains me that the baby is the only reason for me being here.

“Once a Moretti, always a Moretti. You might have changed your name, but you’re a Moretti to the core.” His breath is warm on my cheek, but his accusatory tone hurts. If he knew me at all, he’d know that’s not me. Doesn’t he understand I gave everything up to get away from my family? “Did you know I owned the club? You must have known who I was the night we met. It all makes sense now. The way you looked at me like I was yours. It was one elaborate setup!”

“You know, I didn’t know who you were. I was as shocked as you when I saw you at work.”

He flicks me away from him as if I burned his hands, and he leaves me standing naked in the bathroom that’s larger than my apartment.

My father was right about him. I gulp down my disappointment. I use the back of my hand to wipe my face. I refuse to cry over him. He’s not worthy of the tears. He’s not worthy of me for either.

He’s like every man I’ve ever known. They either want something from me or they hurt me. Pietro is guilty of both.

I’ve become a human incubator.

What does it matter anyway? My time is running out.

I knew this was too good to last.

He storms out, and I dry myself as I slip Pietro’s shirt over my head, take a deep breath. The disappointment in his eyes hurts. I sniffhis shirt and inhale his expensive cologne that mingles with his scent. It’s a cruel reminder of what I’ve lost.

I crawl into bed, and the silent tears fall on my pillow, and somewhere in the night, he slips into bed beside me. His back is turned to me, and it drives home the fact that I’ve lost him. He doesn’t trust me. Now, I lie awake and worry over what will become of me and my baby.

In the morning, the bed is empty, and I find a pregnancy kit in the bathroom.

I don’t want to take the test. He’ll take a perverse pleasure in me following his orders, and I don’t owe him anything after last night.

I refuse to give him the satisfaction of making decisions on my behalf.

But there’s a part of me that wants to know for sure. So I open one test, and pee on it. I wait and run water in case Pietro is waiting for a sign. I took the test.

Two blue lines appear, and an animated baby dances.

I’m filled with mixed emotions. I close the lid to make the box look full and hide my results in the towels stacked along the wall.

I wash my face and exit the bathroom like nothing happened.

Pietro is in the kitchen with a coffee cup in his hands. The smell of food makes me nauseous.

“Eat,” he barks. No good morning, no hello.

It’s back to his orders and what he wants.

Fuck that.

“I’m not hungry.”

“You need to eat.”

“If I eat, I’ll throw up. Besides, you’re not the boss of me!” I stand defiantly, but I know he can overpower me in an instant.

“Fine. I’ll let it pass for now. Did you take the test?”

“No.” I lie.

“I have a right to know,” he states, his voice barely above a whisper.

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