Page 75 of Only You

Ana paused, her hand on the door handle as she dropped her head forward. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes. She had stayed upstairs as she wasn’t sure she wanted to face her sister right now, however it clearly would not be her choice.

“Andrew said you were up here,” Eva said. Ana couldn’t bring herself to look at Eva. Would she know she had slept with her husband? That she had selfishly let her niece down?

When it was clear Eva would not leave, Ana took a deep breath and turned, keeping her eyes averted.

“Ana,” her sister repeated softly. Ana looked up. “I just wanted to come and say how sorry I am.”

Ana swallowed, tilting her head. “No, I’m sorry. If I’d stayed away, none of this would have happened. Olivia wouldn’t have run away,” Ana said, the words tumbling out of her mouth in breaths that were caught in her chest.

Eva’s eyes widened, shaking her head frantically. “This isnoton you,” she said. “I’m the one who screwed up. I appeared out of nowhere. From what I’ve heard, little sister, you have been fantastic with Olivia. Thank you for helping my daughter when I didn’t.”

Ana froze as she found herself enveloped in her sister’s embrace. Her own hands hanging limply by her side. She couldn’t remember a time when they had ever been this close. Had her sister ever hugged her before? Their family didn’t show affection.

Eva stepped back and gripped her face in both her hands, making Ana look at her. “I’m sorry, Ana,” she said, a gentle smile gracing her lips. “I want to make up for all the wrongs I’ve committed in the past. Put things right with Andrew and Olivia. With you. Will you let me try? Will you help me?”

The pressure building in her chest made it almost impossible to breathe. Unable to form a sentence, she simply nodded as Eva pulled her in for a quick hug. Bile burned the back of Ana’s throat at the look of hope on her sister’s face.

“Thank you,” Eva said, touching the side of Ana’s face. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

Ana stood and stared as her sister turned and left.

The world swam as Ana staggered backwards, her vision blurring. She watched her sister walk down the stairs, a hollow feeling settling in her stomach as a deep pain settled around her heart. Eva was back to stay and wanted to make up for the past. She wanted her family back. Her perfect sister was going to do everything in her power to make that happen.

Ana entered her room, locking the door behind her before turning off the lights. Sinking down on the bed, she sat with her head in her hands, rubbing her eyes hard as if she could wipe away the events of the past couple of days. What a mess she had made of things. How was she going to look Andrew in the eye? Eva in the eye? What was she going to do when he told her he was sorry, and now Eva was back, there was nothem? How was she going to watch him and Eva together as they rekindled their romance? Watch him touch her, kiss her. He had loved Eva, and she—Ana—had been the perfect look-a-like replacement. She had been too naïve and foolish to notice it before. Andrew was not to blame. She doubted he was even aware. Andrew wasn’t a player. He was a family man, and once he realised, she knew it would devastate him.

Andrew had tried to say no, but she hadn’t listened. She was the one who had gone to him. What red-blooded male would turn away a willing woman? Ana couldn’t bear it. She did not want to come face to face with the horror in his eyes at his mistake. But she could see it clearly now. She had stepped into Eva’s shoes both as a mother to Olivia, and as a partner to Andrew. Andrew had wanted a mother for Olivia. He had been dating, and she had fitted the bill perfectly.

Ana gagged, her hand flying to cover her mouth as a thought hit her.

Had Andrew imagined she was Eva the whole time?

When he had kissed her breasts, had sunk his body into hers. Had he imagined it was Eva who was beneath him? Ana was the impostor in the scene. Andrew had employed her as Olivia’s nanny. It was no one’s fault but her own. She had forgotten that and got carried away by the feeling of being accepted, of being wanted. Ana had no claim to Olivia or Andrew. Yet she had allowed herself to believe. She had grown to love that little girl more than her own life. Of course, Olivia would want her mum and dad back together. Who was she to stand in their way?

Ana threw herself down on the bed, thankful for the darkness.

Ana held her breath as the door handle moved, the lock catching in place. A gentle knock followed. “Ana?” Andrew’s voice whispered.

Ana remained silent, staring at the door, a solid barrier between her and the man she had fallen in love with. Someone who could never be hers.

There was a pause before she finally heard Andrew’s footsteps move away. Ana released the breath she was holding as she heard his bedroom door open and close.

Was she a chicken?

Yes, but she needed time to think. Work out how to rebuild her barriers. Protect herself if she was ever going to survive this.

Chapter Fifty

Andrew

Andrew jerked awake for the millionth time, groaning when he realised it was now morning. His heart thundered in his chest as his mind went back to the horror of the day before. Sitting up, he looked around. Something was wrong. It was only then, he noticed the small lump curled up next to him, blonde hair escaping from under the duvet. Andrew lay back down. Olivia had obviously crept in during the early hours. Andrew knew this because he had spent most of the night checking and rechecking Olivia was still where he and Ana had left her.

There was a hammering on his bedroom door.

“Andrew,” came a frantic call.

Jumping out of bed as quietly as he could, Andrew padded to the door, his bottoms riding low on his hips. Opening the door, he faced a desperate Ana.

“She’s gone,” she said, not waiting for an answer.

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