Page 10 of Flawed

I slide my arm around her waist and kiss her cheek. "I'm not going anywhere until you're better. I could tell you I'm here because I'm concerned about you... which I am, don't get me wrong. But if you want the honest truth, I'll tell you."

Apprehension fills her expression. She finally orders, "Go on then. Tell me."

I lace my fingers through hers then kiss each of her knuckles. Her tiny gasp fills the air. I drill my stare into hers, confessing, "Ever since our night together, all I do is think about you."

Silence fills the air. I wait until she says, "It was a mistake."

Hurt fills me. I'm surprised how much it stings. I try to cover it up and reply, "Why do you think it was a mistake? I thought we were pretty spectacular together."

Tears fill her green orbs. She looks away.

The hairs on my neck rise. I reach for her chin and force her to look at me, questioning, "You didn't enjoy our night together?"

Her lips tremble. Her head bobs side to side. She swallows hard. "I didn't mean that."

I take it she didn't mean that I was a mistake, which makes me happy. I kiss her temple and then order, "Eat. I'm not leaving until I know you're okay. Consider me at your beck and call, stellina."

2

Chanel

Luca never stops intensely gazingat me, watching every mouthful of soup I eat. As annoying as it is, a part of me likes that he's here, taking care of me. I shouldn't want him still, but I can't deny my feelings. I'm rundown, sick, and still ambushed with tingles from his mere presence. Yet it doesn't mean I'll let myself act on my attraction toward him.

He's the enemy.

After I eat half the bowl of chicken noodle soup and some of the crackers, I push the tray away.

"You should finish that," Luca states.

"I'm full," I reply, then sit in bed straighter. I stare Luca straight in the eye and sternly say, "Thanks for your help. I think it's time for you to go now."

"Stellina—"

I erupt into another coughing fit, which masks some of my heartache. Every time he calls me stellina, I get butterflies.

Luca rubs my back until I stop coughing. He says, "You need to take some medication."

I snap, "I'm not taking anything, so stop talking about it!"

Luca sizes me up, interrogating, "Why won't you take anything? It's not like it's addictive."

All the thoughts of my baby swirl in my head. I'm not sure what is safe to take, so I figure it's better to err on the side of caution. And I'm definitely not telling Luca I'm pregnant—especially not with his child.

His child.

Ugh!

Luca tries again. "Chanel, please, just take—"

"Drop it!" I angrily yell.

Luca's eyes widen. He shakes his head, rises, and goes into the other room.

My heart falls.He's leaving.I want to chase after him and yell for him to come back. My feelings for him want me to beg him to never leave me again, yet it's not only about me anymore.

Our baby deserves to not be subjected to the Abruzzos.

Our baby.

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