Maybe he’d find a way not to hurt her.
But who was he kidding? More likely, he’d make the same mistakes.
In the kitchen, Marcus noticed a leftover half-loaf of garlic bread from their spaghetti dinner. He tossed it in the trash, remembering the fun they’d had cooking with Ava.
It was just a few days ago, and yet it felt like another lifetime. They were so happy out here, with the real world far away, but as soon as they returned to reality, everything fell apart. Kyra was right—it was just a fairy tale out here.
“Hey, brother.”
Marcus looked up to see Edward strolling through the kitchen doorway.
“Hey, Edward.”
“You look like you’re lost in thought,” his brother said. “Or maybe simply lost.”
“I’m just tired,” he said. “It’s been a long and busy few days.”
Edward patted him on the back. “And a successful few days as well, so I’m told. I hear you landed that investor in a matter of hours. Great work.”
Marcus sighed. Life was so complicated. He’d gained the respect of his brother for closing a deal he’d won by losing the respect of the woman he wanted.
“Want to walk the property and discuss renovations?” he asked.
“That’s what I’m here for,” he said. “Let’s begin inside. It’s starting to rain.”
With the mention of rain, Marcus remembered the bedroom upstairs where the water had come in. He mentioned it to Edward, then led him to it.
As they passed the room where he and Kyra had spent the most amazing night of his life, he felt himself deflate. His shoulders sagged, and he sighed audibly.
“Marcus,” Edward said. “What’s going on with you? You look like you’re about to cry.”
“I’m not about to cry,” he said defensively, and Edward laughed.
“What’s wrong, bro?”
Within a few minutes, he’d spilled the entire thing to Edward—the one-night stand, the pregnancy, and their father’s attempt to pay Kyra to leave the country.
Edward’s mouth hung open.
“A baby,” he said finally, sounding stunned.
“Yeah, I know it’s a lot to digest all at once.”
“To be honest, I’m not surprised Dad reacted that way,” Edward said. “He’s used to getting whatever he wants when he wants it.”
“It didn’t shock me either,” he said. “But now Kyra definitely doesn’t want a relationship with me, doesn’t want me involved in the baby’s life. She’ll just go back to the US when the project is over.”
“So, Dad will get exactly what he wanted, regardless of his behavior,” Edward said.
Marcus nodded. “But maybe he was right about one thing—maybe it’s for the best that she leaves.”
“You don’t seem convinced on that point.”
“I’m not, I guess,” he admitted. “There was something different about Kyra. She made me want to be different, better.” Marcus was silent for a moment, considering what might have been. “But in the end, Dad was probably right to want her to go away. I’ll probably just go back to my old ways. The partying. The women. That’s what everyone expects, anyway.”
“Wait a minute,” Edward said. “I don’t expect that of you.”
Marcus gave Edward a doubting look.
“I’m serious,” Edward insisted. “You’re totally committed to this project, like I’ve never seen you committed to anything before. You’re the one who came up with the idea of using the estate for the shelter. You approached Clementine and me. You vetted it. You secured the investor.”
Marcus shrugged.
“I’ve seen your true colors come out when you’re passionate about something, and you care about this project. It’s not just about impressing a girl.”
“You’re right,” Marcus said. “I do care about the shelter, but that changes nothing with Kyra. She’s still going to return to the US. I still won’t see her or our baby again.”
“Maybe,” Edward said, then elbowed him playfully. “But maybe not. It depends on how things shake out from here on in. And most importantly, it depends on what you both want, not what Dad wants.”
“We know what Dad wants, and he’ll likely get it. He usually does.”
Edward shook his head. “Stop worrying about Dad. He was never a big fan of Clementine, but he came around eventually.”
“You’re probably right,” Marcus said. For better or worse, that was how their father worked. “But it’s Kyra I’m worried about. I’m not sure she’ll ever come around.”
In fact, Marcus was pretty damn sure Kyra had made up her mind for good.
13
Kyra folded her favorite black blouse and placed it inside her suitcase. She took the two dresses off of their hangers and tucked them next to the blouse. She was tired of hotel living and anxious to get back to the comforts of home, to cook herself a meal in her own kitchen and sleep under her own thick comforter.
The Sovalon project was wrapping up. Repairs and renovations were underway at the estate, and plans to open the women’s shelter were already set into motion. She’d put the contacts in place for all the initiatives the shelter would need once it opened—it would be someone else’s responsibility to see them brought to fruition. It had been a little over a week since Kyra had said goodbye to Marcus at her hotel room. She’d seen him from afar at work, but with the board broken up into committees, they had no real need for contact at this point. His focus was financing, and hers was in day-to-day operations. Kyra avoided Marcus as much as she could, both for her own protection—she didn’t want to get wrapped up again—and for the good of the shelter. They needed to maintain a positive professional manner with each other.
She was originally slated to head back to Atlanta four days from now, but seeing that everything was basically finished, she’d decided to move her flight up and leave early. Her flight left in a few hours. It seemed pointless to stay here and torture herself with worry over running into Marcus, when she could remotely complete the remaining tasks that needed to be done.
There was the whole issue of his being the father of her child. It seemed harsh to just up and leave without even saying goodbye, but she wanted things to be clean-cut and clear between them. No contact, no interference. His father would definitely approve of that. They could tie up any loose ends over the phone.
She continued packing her things until everything was neatly tucked away. Other than the precious cargo she carried in her belly, she would do the same with every memory of her time in Sovalon.
Tuck them away. Far, far away.
She cradled her stomach and pondered what the future might have been like if things hadn’t gone awry with Marcus. No matter how she tried to tuck away the thoughts, she’d never truly forget the magical time they’d spent together at the estate. Every time Ava asked for spaghetti dinner from now on, she was sure she would think of him and what could have been.
Kyra forced herself to finish her packing and pull herself together. She’d always been strong and focused. She couldn’t fall apart now. Now was the time when she’d have to be stronger than ever.