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"The baby is fine."
"I know. It’s not about the baby. It’s about discovering something from the past that will make you despise me again."
He pulls me into his arms. "Will you never forgive me?"
"Maybe I won’t be able to forgivemyself. There could be something that makes me horrible in your eyes—and in mine, too."
"Taylor, there are many people working on your case, but there’s one man I trust above all others. He called me this morning. I was going to tell you after we left here, but I wanted you to have a peaceful ultrasound first."
I feel my heart start to race. "Is it something that will hurt me?"
He nods. "But it’s nothing you did. Breathe."
"Alright. Let’s do the ultrasound first and find out if we’re expecting a girl or a boy."
Half an hour later, I smile as William says, "A girl?" He looks amazed, alternating between holding the image in his hands and kissing my belly, still slightly sticky from the gel. "We’re having a girl."
"Yes. And I hope she’s like me—to drive you crazy."
"In looks or temperament?"
"Both."
"I don’t care. Two women for me to love and protect. I can handle that." He dismissed the staff, which I guess is one of the perks of owning the hospital. Now he’s lying beside me on the examination table.
"Are you really happy?" I ask.
"Doubt anything you want, Taylor, but never my love. I have everything I want. My woman and a daughter on the way. I don’t know if I deserve this second chance, but I’ll cling to it with everything I have."
* * *
"Why did we stop here? What is this place?"
The driver has parked in front of a beautiful house in Brooklyn, and I have no idea what’s going on.
"Are we going inside?" I ask, even though he still hasn’t answered my previous question.
"In a few minutes. We’re waiting for my lawyers and the police."
"What? Who lives here?"
"Bonnie."
"Bonnie?What does that mean? She hasn’t worked for your grandmother in a long time."
"Yes. Almost since you disappeared."
I start trembling, not wanting to believe what he’s implying. "William, what’s going on?"
"Remember I told you in the office that there’s one person I trust completely?"
"Yes."
"Bonnie was my father’s accomplice in your disappearance, Taylor."
"Oh my God!" I open the car door and step out, struggling to breathe.
William follows and pulls me into his arms.