Page 66 of Reunited By the Greek's Baby

‘You’re awake! Oh, my dear, I’m so happy.’ The woman’s voice was familiar but Isla couldn’t place it. ‘Theo will be so relieved. He’s been frantic.’

Theo! Theo Karalis.

Isla didn’t hear the rest of the words as memory hit like a bombshell. His fury. The revelation of how he really felt about her. Her flight from his apartment. The baby—

Her baby...

Scalding tears leaked from her eyes.

‘Please, my baby...’ Isla dragged her heavy arm to her abdomen. It was still swollen as if with pregnancy but did that mean anything? There was no fluttery movement inside.

She snapped her eyes open, wincing in the glare, and saw Theo’s mother rise from a chair near the bed as a nurse entered.

Isla was in hospital. She tried to catch a breath, telling herself they’d look after her baby. But what if...?

The nurse said something she didn’t catch and, with a long backwards look, Mrs Karalis left the room.

‘It’s good to see you awake, Ms Jacobs.’ The nurse took her pulse. ‘You probably feel strange but you’re safe.’

‘My baby?’

Did she imagine a slight hesitation? ‘You’re still pregnant, Ms Jacobs.’

Isla’s breath shuddered in a sigh of relief, her eyes closing as tears streamed down her cheeks. The nurse talked about bruising and X-rays but she didn’t take it in. Not until she heard that name again and her heart squeezed.

‘Mr Karalis has been here all the time. He’s only just left but I’m sure he’ll be back any minute.’

‘No!’ Isla opened her eyes and met the nurse’s gaze. ‘I don’t want to see him. Please. I don’t want to see anyone.’

Calm brown eyes surveyed her. ‘If that’s what you want. Now, let me check you over.’

Isla lost track of time in hospital. Was this only the second night here? There’d been more tests and more reassurances. The baby was fine, they said, though Isla fretted when she couldn’t feel it move until they used a monitor so she could hear its heartbeat. She cried again then. She cried a lot, as if she’d saved a lifetime’s tears and was only now releasing them.

As for her, bruising they said, and a knock to the head that had initially concerned them. But today the consensus was more cheerful. She could leave soon, though she’d have to have someone with her.

That’s what kept her from sleep this evening. She’d be released but where would she go? The staff had passed on a message from Theo’s mother, inviting Isla to stay with her, but how could she accept?

Wearily, Isla closed her eyes, telling herself it was better for the baby if she slept now and worried tomorrow.

The door opened and footsteps approached. ‘Isla.’

Her eyes sprang open. How had he got in? He must have evaded the staff. She opened her mouth to order Theo from the room then stopped, frowning.

He looked like a stranger, gaunt and dishevelled, dark circles under his eyes, that jagged scar livid and grim lines around his mouth. Isla told herself it was an illusion. He couldn’t have lost weight in a couple of days and as for dishevelled, his clothes were of finest quality, made for him. Yet he looked haggard, worse than when he’d woken from nightmare.

‘I had to see you. To check myself that you were all right.’

‘Don’t you mean the check on the baby?’

He flinched but didn’t deny it. ‘Both of you.’ Isla was about to challenge that but his words stopped her. ‘I love our child already but I don’t know it yet, not like I knowyou, Isla.You’rethe one I’m most afraid of losing. I couldn’t bear that.’

‘Stop that!’ Isla pushed herself up against the pillows as he approached. ‘Don’t lie to me, Theo.’

He shook his head, eyes never leaving hers as he put his hand his heart. ‘No lie, Isla. Nothing but the truth.’

Her own heart rolled over. She wasn’t ready for this. She’d known she’d have to face him sometime but still felt too raw.

‘You’re too late, Theo.’ Intrigued, she saw his face turn pale but she couldn’t afford sympathy just because he wasn’t getting what he wanted. ‘I can’t do this any longer, be what you want me to be. Why should I settle for less than I want just because it suits you?’

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