Modern Romance Collection: July 2017 Books 1 - 4. Sharon Kendrick

they haven’t been vetted,’ he gritted out.

      It was the final straw and it was at that point that Keeley knew there could be no going back. And no going forward either. Her heart was pounding fit to burst but somehow she kept her voice steady. ‘So what am I supposed to do—be stuck in here while you vet anyone I might wish to see? Do you want to build barriers around me as high as the ones you’ve built around yourself?’

      ‘Now who’s overreacting?’ he demanded.

      ‘I’m not.’ She shook her head. ‘I thought things might change a little once we were married—but instead of the closeness I foolishly hoped might happen, all I get is anger and suspicion! I feel sorry for you, Ariston,’ she added quietly. ‘To view the world in such a cynical way means you’ll never be happy and that will inevitably spill over into all our lives. And I’m not having any child of mine brought up in an atmosphere like that. I don’t want our son to grow up knowing only distrust and cynicism—or to wonder why Mummy and Daddy never show each other any real affection. I want him to have a healthy view of the world, and that’s why I’m leaving.’

      ‘Just try,’ he challenged softly.

      She gave a nod of bitter understanding as she met his darkened eyes. ‘Is that your way of saying you’ll cut off my funds? Are you going to play the financial tyrant in addition to the emotional one? Would you really go that far, Ariston—after everything you’ve been through yourself? Well, go right ahead—be my guest! But if you do that I’ll go straight to a lawyer and get them to slap a maintenance order on you. Or I’ll sell these.’ She pointed a shaking finger at the cold diamonds which flashed on her fingers, and then at the glittery tennis bracelet which was dangling from her wrist. ‘Or this. Or if need be, I’ll go to the papers. Yes. I’d do that, too. I’d sell my story and tell them what it was like being married to the Greek tycoon. I’d do anything to make sure you don’t take my baby away, no matter how much you offer me to disappear from your life. Because I would never ever walk away from my baby and no amount of money could induce me to.’ She sucked in a deep breath before her next words came out with a quiet intensity.

      ‘I am not your mother, Ariston.’

      She saw him flinch as if she’d hit him, but nothing was going to stop her now. ‘Now, if you’ll excuse me,’ she said, her voice trembling, ‘I’m going to pack my things and move out. And if you try to stop me, I’ll... I’ll call the police!’

      His expression was unfathomable as their gazes clashed and she knew she’d pushed him as far as she possibly could. All the things she’d said had needed to be said and she’d meant every word of them, but that small glimmer of hope inside her refused to die. Could he read it in her eyes? Could he see the yearning she suspected still lingered there? The hope that maybe this showdown had cleared the air once and for all and he would let her get close enough to be the wife she really wanted to be. To show him all the love which was in her heart and maybe break down some of those formidable barriers he’d erected around his own. She swallowed. He might not ever be able to love her back, but couldn’t he relax enough to like her and to trust her?

      But the moment he opened his mouth she knew she had been wishing for the stars.

      ‘I think, given your current state of hysteria, that you might be better to sleep on it. I will give you some space by moving into a hotel tonight—and hopefully, by morning, you might have calmed down a little.’ His voice suddenly softened. ‘Because getting yourself into this kind of state can’t be good for the baby, Keeley.’

      It was the final twist of the knife and Keeley wanted to howl with frustration. And sorrow. That too. She was glad he cared for his unborn son, but suddenly she needed him to care for her, too—and he was never going to do that. Quickly, she turned away from him, terrified he would see the heartbreak on her face or witness the tears which had begun to stream from her eyes as she stumbled her way towards the bedroom.