Page 74 of Only You

“Yes, Sunshine, I’m here,” he said, throwing open the door and scooping Olivia into his arms.

Ana could not stop the tears that were freely flowing down her cheeks. Her heart swelled at the sight of father and daughter. Andrew was also crying and hugging Olivia to him like his life depended on it.

“Ouch, Daddy, you’re squashing me,” Olivia said, wriggling in her father’s arms.

“Sorry, Angel, but you had me so worried,” he said.

The two police officers had followed them into the garden. Olivia looked over her dad’s shoulder before hiding her head in his neck. “Are they here to arrest me?” she asked before crying again.

The female officer approached. “It’s okay,” she said softly. “We are here to check you are safe. You’ve had everyone very worried, Olivia.”

Olivia raised her head, her cheeks wet with tears. “Will you arrest me?”

“No,” the officer said again.

It was then Olivia seemed to spot Ana. She squirmed until Andrew put her down, throwing herself at Ana. Ana dropped to her knees on the damp grass, clutching Olivia to her chest as fresh tears fell. Ana rocked her back and forth.

“I’m sorry,” Ana said repeatedly into the little girl’s hair.

Olivia pulled back, her small hands holding Ana’s cheeks as she stared into her eyes. “Are you really my aunty?”

Ana nodded, unable to speak. That was all Olivia needed before throwing her arms around Ana’s neck, almost choking her.

“I’m so happy you are my aunt,” she said, burying her head in Ana’s shoulder.

Ana scooped her up and walked them back to the car. Ana half listened as Andrew thanked the officers. He had collected all the items Olivia had brought with her in her rucksack and was now carrying them close behind.

Chapter Forty-nine

Ana

Millie remained silent during the drive back to Andrew’s home. When they got there, Millie dropped a quick kiss on Ana’s cheek and that of the now-sleeping Olivia. “I’ll call you tomorrow,” she said before making her excuses and leaving.

Olivia was clinging to Ana like a baby monkey, even in her sleep. Andrew opened the front door, and Ana headed straight for the stairs. Eva stepped out of the sitting room, and Ana caught her stare. Eva gave her a small nod before stepping back inside. Ana knew she must look a mess as she made her way past Andrew’s friends and neighbours, but she was past caring. The child in her arms was her number one priority. This was her fault, after all. She never should have left. She should never have given into temptation and slept with Andrew. It may have ruined everything. All she could do now was thank God they had found Olivia unharmed. As she carried her sleeping charge upstairs, she promised herself she would change. Olivia would come first, whatever happened. That little girl needed her, and she would never be selfish again.

Andrew pulled back the covers, and Ana gently lowered a sleeping Olivia onto the bed. Her adventures had clearly worn her out. Tucking her in, they both dropped a kiss on her sleeping cheek before creeping out. Without saying a word, Ana turned and headed towards her bedroom. She jumped as Andrew caught her arm. Spinning around to face him, Ana’s heart lurched to her throat. He looked exhausted and broken as if the past few hours had aged him.

“Thank you,” he said, his voice catching, heartbreak written all over his face.

It was almost more than Ana could take. Stepping forward, she wrapped her arms around his waist before she could stop herself.

“I’m just glad I could help,” she whispered, her head against his chest.

Looking up, she watched as a frown marred Andrew’s beautiful features. “Can we talk?”

Ana bit her lip. “There is a houseful of people downstairs,” Ana pointed out.

“Let me get rid of them.”

There was a hint of desperation in his tone.

A tenseness settled in Ana’s stomach. Was she strong enough to speak to him after the past twenty-four hours, or was she going to run away again? Looking at the man in front of her, she knew the answer. She couldn’t hide from him. They needed to talk, if only to move forward.

“I’ll be up here when you are ready,” she mumbled, reluctantly stepping out of the circle of his arms.

Andrew said nothing else. He simply headed back down the stairs. She stood for several moments, eavesdropping as she heard everyone’s relief at the fact they had found Olivia safe and well. One by one, she heard them leave, the front door closing. She was about to enter her bedroom when she heard a noise behind her.

“Ana.”

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