She turned to the phone on the wall and quickly called the childcare centre to check on her niece, relieved to hear that Georgia had finally fallen asleep. She hung up the phone and made her way out to the front desk, glad she had something to do other than think about Marc Marcello and how she really felt about him.

Nina had not long returned home with Georgia later that day when the phone rang.

‘Nina?’ Her sister’s voice sounded in her ear. ‘Is that you?’

‘Who else would it be?’ Nina said tersely.

Nadia laughed. ‘Well, for a minute there I thought you sounded just like me.’

Nina ground her teeth. ‘That is so not funny. You do realise that all because of your stupid actions I will be marrying Andre’s brother in a matter of days, don’t you?’

‘Lucky you,’ Nadia said. ‘I’m sure you’ll be more than adequately compensated. A billionaire to call your own.’

‘His money means nothing to me,’ she bit out.

‘Good,’ Nadia said. ‘Then you won’t mind sending it to me.’

‘What?’ Nina stiffened.

‘Come on, Nina. You’ll be loaded. We talked about this the other day, remember? I expect you to share your good fortune with me. Besides, we’re sisters, twin sisters.’

Nina drew in a breath. ‘I am not taking his money.’

‘Don’t be stupid; he’s giving it to you in exchange for marriage. You have to take it.’

‘I have no intention of doing so.’

‘Listen.’ Nadia’s voice hardened. ‘If you don’t take it I’ll tell him who you really are.’

Nina swallowed, her hand on the receiver growing white-knuckled. ‘You can’t do that. He’ll take Georgia off me.’

‘Do you think I care?’ Nadia said.

‘How can you be so callous?’ Nina cried. ‘You’re her mother, for God’s sake!’

‘If you don’t take the money and give it to me I will tell him how you’ve deceived him. Somehow I don’t think he’ll take all that kindly to the news.’

Nina could well believe it, but this wasn’t about her at all. It was about Georgia. She loved her niece and couldn’t bear the thought of never seeing her again.

She considered going to Marc and telling him the truth before Nadia got the chance but knew in the end it would be pointless. He would simply remove Georgia from her custody, would no doubt be relieved that he didn’t have to bind himself to her after all. He would have no regard for her feelings as the child’s aunt even if she was to plead with him to allow her a place in Georgia’s life.

‘I haven’t got any money yet,’ Nina said. ‘The marriage doesn’t take place for another few days. Marc told me I won’t get the allowance until the ink dries on the marriage certificate.’

‘Well, when it does I want you to send me it. All of it. I’ll give you my bank details.’

Nina put the phone down a few minutes later, the numbers on the piece of paper in her hand making her feel sick to her stomach.

Her sister had just sold her child.

CHAPTER SEVEN

NINA had not long settled Georgia for the night when the doorbell rang. She didn’t have to check through the peephole; she knew it was Marc by the way her skin had started to tingle all over.

She opened the door and stepped aside to allow him to come in, her tone reproving as she said, ‘You should have called to say you were going to visit. Georgia’s just gone down. I don’t want to unsettle her.’

‘I am not here to see Georgia right now,’ Marc said, closing the door behind him.

Nina tucked a strand of wayward hair behind one ear and did her best to hold his unwavering gaze. ‘W-what did you want to see me about?’