Page 56 of Forbidden King

The moment he hung up, he quickly changed out of his simple t-shirt into a button down Oxford.

A prince always looked his best. Jeans for linen pants, and he was ready to convince his wife to listen to him one more time.

He’d notified his staff to tell him if Anna left, and she hadn’t, which meant he had a chance.

He needed to speak to her. Leo puffed out his chest as he’d never had to ask for forgiveness in his life, then knocked.

Anna Camila didn’t answer.

He knocked again and rapped his knuckles harder.

Still she didn’t answer.

He pressed his face to the door and heard sounds inside that might be footsteps. He knocked again and quietly said, “Anna, open the door.”

More footsteps. Anna said, “No. I don’t want to.”

He traced the wooden door with his finger and wished it was her—her face, her body, her hair. Her smile of confidence in him. “We need to talk.”

Her voice cracked as she said, “I’m so done talking. I’ve said enough.”

Was she crying? Anna was always the epitome of holding everything together. His heart whispered that he’d hurt her. He prayed that wasn’t true as he said, “Anna… please… I need your help.”

The door unlocked. He stepped back fast as she threw the door open and asked, “With Francesca’s baby again?”

She hid half of her face behind the door and he saw that it was drained of emotion. He grew more aware of her as he stared at her profile, realizing that she’d been crying, because of him. She’d changed from her emerald dress to tailored jeans and a yellow and white flowered shirt. “Please,” he asked. “Come out and talk to me.”

Her brown eyes lacked their usual luster. She didn’t blink but finally nodded. “Give me half an hour. I’ll finish up in here and meet you in the library.”

“It’s a date,” he said and let adrenaline energize him. With her by his side there was nothing they couldn’t do.

Now he needed to tell Anna that he loved her and hopefully convince her to stay.