Heartbreak To Heiress

said, grinning like she just couldn't help

ing. Her honesty. She was the one person who could s

wanted was for any of the Di Riccis' staff to catch wind of our conversation. They already loo

I have to say, I doubted this whole thing at first. I mean, you? In a mansion w

good to have someone from home here. Someone who knew me before all this. B

a," I told her after a whi

at me. "Yo

the modeling opportunity. Sh

second. Just stared at me like

. this is something I can help her with. And I can't let t

o you? After all the pain she put you through? Iris,

ll my sist

hate how forgiving you are when it com

ndow, watching the trees

think I'm doing it for me too. So I can stop carrying t

"I just don't want to

at her and s

ime on my phone I had to leave

The airport was cold and noisy, and I was alre

here s

ke nothing happened. She pulled me into a hug with

see you aga

ed walking toward the lift. She followed beside me like we wer

ogether. She woul

et to talk again. I know I messed things up. I regre

eedles. The more she talked, the more it press

id, sharper than I meant to. "That's

ld feel her staring a

el I had booked for he

she asked, glancing at the bui

?" she continued. "Why not at y

for a second b

, especially with the kind of history you two have. I'm n

But her silence did

t all," I added. "I wasn't even going to.

You know I'm always grateful for everything

ug me again. I

e to leave. I

eached into my bag, an

ake yourself

away without

ening, Sylves

ing for him. He walked in and without a word, pulled me close an

st small things. Shared laughter. Shared

of making t

rushing his. "She's at the hotel. She'll come by your o

e. "Good. I'll make su

trange in my chest. I couldn't name it, but

orner of my mouth. "Thank you for t

n't r

as, I didn't know i

m awake. He was sitting up quietly, staring ou

eling?" I asked

with a tired smi

believe him

scans were clean. He had made it through the worst, and for a while everything looke

again. Some days his hands were too cold, and then too warm the next. O

sn't

chair beside him. "And you've had chills off and on for da

r a long time befo

ong as I take my medication. I do

ked. "Something's o

ropped to

. "Just a little weakne

something. Maybe he didn't want to worry his family. Or maybe

mething wa

back and lose him after ev

view on time. I didn't know why I was still checking in like that after everything but I

ng to ignore it anymore. So I made a call and asked a doctor I trusted to come by and run a few tests. Just t

I headed to

s alread

truding again. But I wasn't in

I said as I walked past her a

she asked,

ylvester last night I would cook for him today. He said he had never tried

k?" I asked without turning. "You can't tell me what an

't say a

, "I already took permission from Sylvest

ng back something rude to say. I didn't car

rything healthy and suitable for a diabetic. It took a while but it was worth it. I pac

ill there wh

ozing wit

e tray. The way she looked at me. Like she was

e didn

idn't e

dn't understand

as heading out the door. He looked

he asked like he

it's diabetic safe.

Soft but warm. "Thank you,"

g out. And just like that the morning

ci. He ran a few quick tests and took some blo

atching the doctor prepare his things.

Your temperature keeps shifting and I

t didn't arg

into the hallway and just as I was about to ask when

ur

way, arms folded and eyes sharp. Her fa

use and I have no idea about it?" s

sn't been feeling stable. I just

tor was still standing there, holding his case. He

results will be ready," he said,

to the room but Laur

y with my son. Then you start using my kitchen. And now this? Y

and cold and it ma

o call a doctor when someone I'

ve a say now?" she asked, stepping closer. "Don't forget wha

tired of her voice. Too done with prete

just stood there. Fa

spit out every word. I