LEAVING THIS TIME was harder than the first time.
Sylvie packed her few things in her bag. She couldn’t help feeling things with Enzo were going to get more complicated before they figured out a way to peacefully co-parent. She didn’t even know what that would be like if he were to move to France, but for their child’s sake, they’d figure it out.
It was then that she realized she was folding and refolding the same shirt because there was a part of her that was hoping to see Enzo before she left. Though another part insisted it would be easier on everyone if she quietly slipped away. His sisters would be here for him. With that thought in mind, she hurriedly placed the rest of her clothes in the bag and zipped it.
Knock-knock.
Sylvie figured it was Bianca or Gia, who were once more going to try and convince her to stay. “Come in.” At that point she realized she’d forgot her sunglasses on top of the chest of drawers. She turned to retrieve them, confident that at last she had gathered all of her things. She turned back around, surprised to find Enzo standing just inside the doorway. “Enzo, you’re back.”
He nodded. It was then she noticed the dark streaks of soot on his face, his scattered hair and his disheveled clothes. “My sisters told me you were getting ready to leave. Weren’t you even going to stick around and say hello before you left?”
Her gaze searched his. What was he trying to say? Was he disappointed she was trying to avoid him? Or was that just wishful thinking on her part?
“I… I didn’t want to get in the way.” She glanced down at her bag, opening the side pocket to place her sunglasses inside. “I’m sure you have a lot of catching up to do with your sisters.”
“Do you even want to know how the estate faired?”
Immediately, her gaze rose to meet his. “Of course. Were you able to save it all?”
He shook his head. There was a torrent of emotions in his eyes but she wasn’t able to distinguish one from the other. He reached up and rubbed the back of his neck. “We lost some vines.”
“I’m sorry.” She truly was sorry. “Hopefully, they can be replanted.”
He nodded. “It’ll take time but it’s doable.”
“I’m sure the new owner will be relieved.” She lifted her bag and swung the strap over her shoulder. It was time to make a quick exit while she still had her emotions in check.
“Sylvie, there isn’t going to be a new owner.”
“There isn’t? But I thought the papers had been signed.”
“I got called away before we signed the papers. You might say the whole deal went up in flames.” A half smile pulled at his lips.
Her heart was pounding. What did this mean? She refused to jump to conclusions. She wasn’t going to get her hopes up just to have them dashed. After all, there was a baby counting on her to get this right.
“You could stay on, here at the estate,” he said.
She shook her head. “I need to return to Florence and continue searching for a new job.”
“And the baby?”
“I would never keep you away from him or her. Florence isn’t that far away. I’m sure we can work out a visitation schedule.”
“You won’t reconsider staying here?”
She gave a firm shake of her head. “I have to start a new life for myself and the baby. It’s better this way.”
If she were to stay here, she didn’t think she’d ever be able to get over Enzo. He’d always be around. They’d be bumping into each other at every turn. And a one-way love—it just wasn’t enough for her.
Even though her parents’ love had burned bright and quickly, it was something genuine—something so strong that her mother held on to the memories of that love until her last breath. If Sylvie was going to risk her heart to another, she wanted a strong, passionate love like theirs had been.
“I… I understand.” Though the tone of his voice seemed to say the opposite. “I’ll take care of the rent—”
“No, Enzo. I told you I’ll take care of myself.”
“But that’s my baby you’re carrying.”
“It’s mine, too, and I’ll make sure we’re taken care of.”
He turned to her and frowned. “Why are you being so stubborn?”
Her mouth gaped. It took her a moment to gather herself, but that didn’t stop her from glaring at him. “I’m not.”
“All I’m trying to do is my part as far as the baby is concerned, but you won’t let me. If you think I’m not going to support my own child and not be there as much as possible, you’re very wrong.”
“I would never stop you from being there for our child. I… I just need to do this transition on my own.” She needed to prove to herself that she could do this because being a single mother scared her. She remembered how hard her mother had worked to provide for her, and she worried that she wouldn’t be able to give her son or daughter as good a life as her mother had given her.
“But that’s the thing. You don’t have to do it alone—you don’t have to do any of this alone. Marry me.”
What had he said?
Her gaze searched his to see if it was some sort of joke. But the look on Enzo’s face said he was perfectly serious. He wanted to marry her.
She needed to hear that he loved her as much as she loved him. She wouldn’t accept anything less. Then she would make a home with him—have a family with him.
“Why?” she asked.
“Why what? Why get married?” When she nodded, he visibly swallowed. He wasn’t comfortable with this conversation. That was her first warning. He cleared his throat. “We’re having a baby. Isn’t that reason enough?”
No, it wasn’t reason enough. Not even close to it. There was so much more to a marriage than children. And if their union wasn’t founded in love, how were they ever to make it through the storms life threw their way? Their marriage would get blown off course and flounder.
He approached her. His gaze beseeched hers. “Sylvie, marry me.”
With strength she didn’t know she possessed, she said, “No.”
Before her pregnancy hormones realized what she’d just done and sent her into a fit of tears, she stepped around him. With her head held high, she headed for the door. Inside, her facade was starting to melt. It was a good thing she’d already arranged for a ride into the city because if she stayed here any longer, she might change her mind. And that wouldn’t be good for any of them—including the baby.
Goodbye.
She didn’t say the word. She didn’t trust her voice as there was a giant lump in her throat. Instead, she blinked back the tears and kept walking.