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And as the muslin fell away, as he saw first the blonde curls then the pretty almond-shaped eyes, he drew in a breath. It could be Beatrice.

Gabe’s heart hammered in his chest. The baby’s eyes locked with his, and he held his breath at a familiar sight. The same almond shape, even the arch of the brows was the same.

There was a surge, a return of love, and he wanted to reach for her, to hold her, but then her eyes closed in sleep, and he looked at the infant Stella held and he could not bear to lose either of them, dared not love again.

Never, ever again.

Unable to bear the pelt of memories he tore his gaze from Sophia and abruptly stood.

‘I can’t do this.’

‘Gabe?’ Stella startled as he suddenly stood, his face as white as marble, and he looked her in the eye and shook his head.

‘I’ll leave you to it. Clearly, you’ve been doing well enough without me.’ He blamed her rather than admit he dared not love again. ‘You chose to shut me out, Stella.’ He went to walk out of the door.

‘And so now you’re walking out. Don’t you even want to hold her?’ But she was talking to a closing door; he could barely bring himself to look at their daughter.

Chapter Thirteen

MUCH AS STELLA had strained her ears for the sound of his helicopter arriving, now she braced herself for his departure.

But three days later, though he remained in Sant Lavia, she’d barely seen him.

She’d been moved to the upper floor, to a stunning lemon-coloured nursery, and Gina was delighted with her suite.

The frenetic pace of work didn’t slow. There were late nights for ballroom scenes, and early starts too, but on the last day of filming at the palazzo, Gabe had still made no effort and she felt both angry and sad, for Sophia more than for herself.

But then what should she have expected? Stella thought as she pulled on her trusty denim shorts and a flimsy top.

Gabe had told her he would never love her.

And he had told her he did not want a child.

‘Damon’s been nominated,’ Daisy told her as they collected their lunches from the truck and sat to eat.

‘I just heard.’ Stella smiled. Damon had been nominated for yet another huge industry award and was strutting about like a peacock. ‘Do we send flowers?’

‘Sir Charles will sort it and we’re going to have a “surprise” get-together tonight at Bella Vista.’

She was so tired and really in no mood to party. ‘Do we have…’

Daisy halted her from making a very big faux pas. ‘Stella!’

Of course she had to go.

Then came the crackle of her intercom. ‘Locations, Stella, switch to channel three…’

‘Stella…’ she responded.

‘Rinaldi wants to speak with you. In his office.’

‘I’m just…’ She swallowed, not entirely sure she wanted to speak with him.

Of course, she had little choice.

She took what was left of her lunch with her and then walked down the hallway, unclipped the rope then entered his wing, a little unsure where to go.

‘Stella…’ Gabe called, and she followed the sound and came to an open door. The equipment on the desk looked too modern for this world.