| |
Jake braced himself and he told Sylvie what happened. About how he’d been working too hard and how he’d agreed to take a vacation because his wife loved the islands, but he ended up meeting with a potential new client. It was only supposed to be family trip, not a business one. But they’d rented a villa with a pool and when he was away at the meeting and came back, they were...dead.
He saw the expression on Sylvie’s face. Was it that of shock, horror, or disgust?
“Oh, no.” Tears welled in her pretty brown eyes. “Jake, that’s.... that’s awful. I’m so sorry to hear that. I had no idea.”
“It’s okay. I know they’re with the Lord now. But I never forgave myself over it. I felt like I could have done something.”
“But how could you? You didn’t know they were going to go into the pool?”
“I should have been there. I should never have left their side.” Emotion climbed into his throat. “I blame myself every day.”
“You shouldn’t, Jake. Don’t blame yourself.” Sylvie’s voice was soft and soothing, comforting.
He wanted to reach out to hug her, but he couldn’t. He didn’t want to right now. He still blamed himself and he just couldn’t get close to anyone ever again.
“So you still want to get married?” He arched his brow.
She said nothing for a moment.
Oh, no.
Was she changing her mind about the whole marriage of convenience thing?