Page 71 of The Millionaire Bachelor

“I know. That’s one of the reasons I was ready to get rid of them. The other…” He shrugged.

She understood. They had been his strongest ties to the past and he’d let them go. It had been time.

She realized she had to expose her secret, as well. She took a couple of steps back. “I haven’t been eating chocolate again. I know I didn’t tell you when I first found out, and that was wrong. I should have. But it was the day I left and I just couldn’t bear to talk about it. I tried calling a couple of weeks later, but you were gone. I hope you won’t be angry. If you are, if it means you don’t want to marry me, I’ll understand.”

The last bit was a complete lie. Shewouldn’tunderstand at all, but she felt as if she had to give him an out.

She shrugged out of her coat and let it fall to the floor. Stone stared at her belly. “You’re pregnant,” he breathed.

“Five months.”

His expression softened. “A baby. You’re having my baby. A new life and a new chance.” He dropped to his knees and reverently pressed a kiss to her belly. “I’ve been incredibly stupid. Can you ever forgive me?”

“Yes.”

He hugged her tight. She stroked the top of his head. She knew there would be questions later. They weren’t important now. It was enough that they were together.

He rose to his feet and took her hand, then led her to the sofa. “I just want to hold you,” he said. “I’ve been so empty without you.”

She went with him, finding peace in his arms. He placed his hand against her tummy and grinned. “It’s going to be a boy.”

“Oh, please.” She laughed. “That’s just so typically male.”

He hugged her close. “Promise me you’ll never leave me again.”

“I promise.”

“And I promise you forever. I love you. You are the best part of me.”

Cathy rested her head on his shoulder and listened to the steady beat of his heart. Together they’d healed each other and found their peace.

Forever, she thought happily. Now, there was a promise to hold on to.

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