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There was a twist in his soul, a flash of memory he did not want, but there was a moment of clarity then. It wasn’t responsibility he resisted, but the loss of liberty to his heart, the risk.

He could never, ever be a father, would never give her a child, and if that was the life she wanted then maybe it was for the best.

Then she caught him looking and for a moment they stared at each other, his thin smile almost an apology, but she didn’t offer one back.

* * *

The car chase scene had long had everyone on edge. For three minutes of film there had been months of preparation. Stella, standing roadside by a barrier, was chewing on her nails when Gabe appeared by her side.

‘What time does it all kick off?’

And, given he was the palazzo’s owner, she had no choice but to be polite, to act as if he hadn’t so badly hurt her.

‘Sunset, so a couple of hours to go…’ She let out a breath.

‘Did you get in trouble before?’

‘No, the director’s forgiven you and therefore me. I’d better not mess up again though.’

‘You didn’t mess up,’ he said. ‘I told him that I’d assured you that I’d stay away.’

‘Well, you have stayed away…’ She turned slightly angry eyes to him, thinking of these long, lonely months—a whole year without him.

‘Did you get my…’ She snapped closed her mouth, not daring to start that conversation here. Had he got her letter, did he even care?

She was angry on Sophia’s behalf if he simply didn’t want to know.

And if he hadn’t got the letter…

She closed her eyes in dread at that thought, imagining dropping this bombshell on him here, having visions of her walkie-talkie going off: Nanny to Stella…

Sophia would be on set soon, tucked away in a trailer for her late afternoon feed, and Stella glanced over.

‘I need to go and speak with the on-site police,’ she said, and it wasn’t just an excuse to get away. A coffee with the police was a part of it, as they checked and re-checked permits.

The diversions were in place, and the traffic was flowing smoothly, and Damon’s monitor was all set up at a safe vantage point. And, having spoken with the police, she had a small window to breathe and hold her precious baby.

‘How has she been?’

‘Perfect.’ Gina smiled and handed a fussy little Sophia over and then stepped out to give Stella some peace.

Only she was unsettled by Gabe’s appearance, aware he was just a short distance away and she couldn’t relax.

Or was it more the fresh sting of his latest hurt, that he’d forgotten she was even here? It felt unjust, impossible almost, that she had held him in her heart for so long, yet she wasn’t even an afterthought for him.

How?

He had warned he would hurt her—before he had slept with her, he had told her that.

Well, he truly just had.

‘Going off walkie,’ she said, turning it off, and hoping that would help. Sophia had had a few too many top-up bottles from Gina and would be getting a bottle tonight as Stella would be here till late, overseeing the take down. She didn’t want to lose breastfeeding, but it was becoming harder each day.

‘Good girl,’ she said to little Sophia, smoothing her curls and meeting her blue gaze. ‘Just a few more hectic days—we’re getting there.’

They were. Yes, it was busy, but they were getting through it.

Almost.