Page 113 of Modern Romance October 2025 5-8

‘I packed a bag and took the first flight out. I needed to think. If I didn’t do what he wanted, it would end my career in the family business, and my relationship with my family.’

His hand found hers across the table. The thought of Stella with Barbieri iced his blood. Grappling with that ultimatum then running into Gio, only to be suspected of spying…

‘I’m sorry, Stella. For my actions and suspicions. You had enough to deal with without that.’

The hint of a smile teased her lips. ‘Thank you. At least I understand why now. Because you’d already had dealings with my father.’

Her fingers tightened around his. ‘My time with you made me see how mistaken I’d been, hoping he’d change. He’d always put his own interests first. I returned to Sicily determined not to live like that any more.

‘When I discovered I was pregnant, I knew I had to make a complete break. I couldn’t let my child be raised under his influence.’

Her expression hardened. ‘I didn’t know until you told me what my father was truly capable of, but I knew enough to fear his actions if thwarted. I planned to get a job elsewhere. But I also knew it would be tough. I’ve got virtually no savings because I’ve never been properly paid. I’ve got few friends who’d stand by me because he did his best to isolate me.’

Gio frowned. ‘Marrying a rich banker was a way out?’ Stella moved to pull her hand free but he held it. ‘I’m not judging, just trying to understand.’

She huffed out a breath. ‘I met Eduardo as a courtesy, to tell him I didn’t want marriage. It turned out he wasn’t keen either. The idea had been hatched by others who wanted him to settle down before he took over the family company. Unexpectedly we found we liked each other.’

Stella looked towards the glittering lake. Gio disliked the feeling of being excluded. But then she turned back, her open expression drawing him in.

‘We met several times. As friends. Eduardo is a good listener and I needed that.’

It was a gut punch. Gio wanted to be the one she’d shared with, the one she turned to.

‘So when, later, he suggested marriage, I reconsidered. He had his own reasons to want marriage. For my part I knew he and his family had the power to keep my father at bay. My baby would be safe.’

And Stella would be safe from her father’s temper. It made sense yet Gio’s skin crawled as she spoke about marrying Morosi.

‘You’d have been happy with such an arrangement?’ He growled. ‘Did he know about the child?’

He knew why Morosi had proposed. He’d get Stella and his family’s bank. Money, power and a remarkable, gorgeous woman.

Stella nodded. ‘He was happy to be a father.’

Over Gio’s dead body! The idea made him see red. But before he could say more she continued.

‘At the time I saw it working. I like and trust him. He’d do his best by me and the baby.’ Each word was an arrow to Gio’s chest as she freed her hand. ‘But no, long-term it wouldn’t work.’

‘Why not, if he’s such a paragon?’

Stella heard the edge in Gio’s voice and wondered if that was jealousy.

Yet he’d never admitted to more than wanting her physically. Even going so far as to destroy her wedding, his explanation was urgent need, the physical, not emotional.

She stiffened her determination. There was no point being coy. Better that they both knew where they stood.

‘I realised I wanted more than a convenient marriage. That’s why I ran from my father’s proposition.’ She looked at the white linen tablecloth then to the magnificent view. ‘After my mother died, I bent over backwards to meet his expectations. Because I craved what I’d had with my mother. Love.’

Without turning, she sensed Gio tense. She was so attuned shefelthis discomfort. Something inside crumbled at his reaction but she continued.

‘I want a partner who loves me and my child, whom I love in return. It’s that simple and that big.’ She swung her head around and met a shadowed stare. ‘You must understand. It sounds like you had that with your family. You know how precious, how vital, love is.’

But instead of assenting, Gio looked almost dismayed.Notwhat she’d hoped for.

After a long silence, he spoke, his tone bleak. ‘It’s what most people want. But…’ his eyes were stormy ‘…not me. I can’t offer you that. I wish I could.’

His words were missiles.

‘I don’t expect anything from you.’