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Her lips snap shut, an unreadable expression in her eyes. Ada’s throat clenches, as if she struggles to swallow. She shakes her head. “That won’t be necessary,” she answers in a tight voice.
“Good. Well, congratulations.” I give her my back and walk out, catching one final glimpse of her crumpling face.
I’ve lost everything.
My brother, my parents, the family business, the honor of our name. All I have is a big, empty castle and a loyal staff, but no one to share it with. No little dukes and duchesses to fill these halls with laughter. No future. No wife.
No love.
The Count took everything from me, and now he’s taking the last hope I ever had at love.
19
Ada
Why did I come here? What did I expect? For the Duke of Blythe to fall to his knees and beg me to marry him instead? To tell him about the baby and expect him to be filled with joy?
Ha.
Ridiculous.
It takes every ounce of power and pride within me to hold myself together as I’m led back out of the expansive castle and to my vehicle. A footman holds the door open for me, the ignition already started and heat turned up to a comfortable temperature. I slip into the driver’s seat and nod to the footman before backing out of the garage.
I make it down the long driveway and through the gate before I have to pull over to sob.
He wouldn’t even listen. Wouldn’t even let me speak. How was I supposed to tell him about the baby? The Duke’s face was shuttered. Closed off. Unreachable.
He thought I wanted the Count. Thought I had already accepted the proposal.
And now?
I can’t go back there. I can’t tell him about the baby now that he’s tossed me aside like a used tissue.
I’m on my own.
Even if I march back there and tell him about the baby, can I handle a rejection? Can I withstand the assault of his cold, hostile eyes?
I swear he thinks less of me for considering a marriage to the Count, but what choice do I have? Unless some other eligible bachelor begs one of us to marry them, I have to accept the Count’s proposal.
Eligible bachelors aren’t exactly in great supply.
A dagger embeds itself in my chest as my heart breaks. It was naive of me to come here and think the Duke would save me. He wanted me when I was pliable and available. When I could distract him at boring parties. When I could be the one to sneak off with him for a bit of fun.
But now, when the reality of our lives comes into sharp focus?
He turns his back on me and walks out.
We’ve known each other for three weeks. How could that possibly lead to anything real? How could I think it would end well?
Stupid, silly girl.
I cry, my forehead resting on my steering wheel. Then a wave of nausea makes me open the car door and throw up all over the ground. Lovely. How very regal of me. I let out a dry laugh, staring up at the dark sky and wishing it would fall down on top of me.
With a sigh, I’m able to gather myself up again. I close the door, wipe my eyes on the back of my hand, and take a deep, clearing breath. Then, I put the car in gear.
When I get home, Maggie is waiting for me. She wraps me in a tight hug, letting her own tears soak into my shirt. I know she wants to take my pain away, but she can’t.
“I’m so sorry, Ada. I wish it were still me.”
