Page 91 of Ruthless Vengeance
“I can get her a bottle,” Marco offers, but I shake my head.
“I want to try and keep my supply up.” But I doubt I’ll have much milk, considering I’ve barely drank any water over the past twenty-four hours. “Could you bring her in here for me?”
“Of course, love.” He places a kiss on my temple before going next door.
He talks to Zoe on the monitor, and my heart swells as I watch the two of them on the screen.
Marco is a natural father, and I know if I told him of my suspicions, he would be overjoyed.
But I’ve only just gotten my place at the Fashion Institute, and who knows if I’ll be able to defer it.
The thought of having a baby right now doesn’t exactly thrill me, but I guess I’ll just have to cross that bridge if it comes to it.
Marco comes back into the bedroom and places Zoe beside me on the bed, her tiny body wriggling with excitement the moment she sees me.
Her little giraffe rattle is clutched in her chubby hands, and she waves it around as she looks between Marco and me, clearly excited by the fact she has the undivided attention of both her parents.
Marco gazes adoringly at our daughter. “God, I love her so much.”
“Hi, baby girl.” I brush a kiss over Zoe’s soft hair. “You’re the only one I’m willing to be awake for right now.”
She gurgles like she understands exactly what I said.
She’s seven months old now, and it blows my mind how quickly the time has gone. One minute, she was this fragile, sleepy little newborn, and now she’s a curious and opinionated person with the most expressive brown eyes I’ve ever seen.
I almost miss those early days.
Almost.
The sleepless nights were rough, especially when I was balancing them with a full-time job.
But it wouldn’t be like that the second time around. I would have Marco and his family to help…
Marco scoots up from the bed. “I’ll be right back.”
I get Zoe situated for her morning feed.
Zoe is almost finished by the time he returns, carrying a tray of waffles and a steaming cup of tea.
“It’s ginger to help settle your stomach.” He sets the tray down on the nightstand. “And the waffles because you haven’t eaten anything in a while.”
I grimace as I look at the food. “I don’t think I can eat anything.”
“You also said you were fine, so your judgment’s clearly off today.” His lips pull up in a teasing grin that makes it impossible to stay mad at him.
I pick up a waffle and take the tiniest bite to humor him and immediately come to regret it.
My stomach churns violently, and I slap a hand over my mouth.
“Love?” Marco grabs Zoe, looking panicked, as I jump out of bed and bolt into the bathroom to throw up.
I don’t have it in me to feel embarrassed by the fact he can hear me. Though, considering the fact I spent most of the past twenty-four hours with my head in the toilet, there’s not much left in my stomach to bring up.
After what feels like an eternity of heaving and gasping, I rinse my mouth out with some water and stagger back into the bedroom.
Marco hovers near the doorway, guilt written all over his face as he looks at me. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have forced you to eat.”
“It’s fine.” I climb back under the blanket. “It was bound to happen. Just…no more waffles, okay?”
