She lifted her head. “Where have you been?”
“At Dominic’s apartment in the Fontesquieu Chateau. It’s a long story. He came to the pharmacy at closing time, and now I have news.”
“What is it?”
“I gave Dominic a picture of Antoinette from my wallet. Neither he nor Etienne had ever met or known her. Then he showed it to Raoul Fontesquieu, his first cousin who’s vice president of sales and marketing. I met him at the vineyard a few days ago. Raoul also resembles his cousins.”
“You mean all three men look alike?”
“To an incredible degree. Right now he lives with Dominic while he’s going through a bitter divorce. He took one look at the photo and confessed he’d been in love with Antoinette and would have married her but for impossible circumstances. I’ll tell you about them later.”
Silence surrounded them. “Is this the truth?”
Nathalie nodded. “Then I told him he had a son named Alain and showed him a photo. Though a DNA test would be needed for proof, he sounded and looked so overjoyed, his reaction thrilled my heart. But I left to give him time to absorb the news.
“He’s had a shock, especially to hear that Antoinette had died. I have no doubt we’ll be hearing from him before long, unless another impossible circumstance happens that prevents him.”
A light entered her mother’s gray-blue eyes. “He really loved her?”
“With every fiber of his being.”
Her eyes filmed over and the two of them embraced. “Darling, this means you don’t have to feel guilt over how much you care for Dominic.”
Nathalie grasped the back of the nearest kitchen chair. “But I do.”
“What do you mean?”
“Maman—I fell for Dominic when I believed he and Antoinette had been lovers. Knowing she was my stepsister didn’t stop me from kissing him and wanting to be with him all night. That was wrong.”
Her mother shook her head. “But look what has happened because you were so anxious to find Alain’s father. I believe you were guided.”
“Maybe. But there’s something else. You know what it is. I can’t have children. The doctor told me it would take a miracle. I love Dominic with every fiber of my being. He says he loves me, but I can’t give him a son or daughter. After what happened with Guy, I—I don’t know if I could handle it if it changed Dominic’s feelings for me. I’m frightened, Maman.”
“But, darling—”
“I don’t want to talk about it. Bonne nuit.”
* * *
“Can you believe I have a son?” Raoul stood in the apartment a different man since hearing the revelation.
Dominic eyed his cousin. The news had made new men out of both of them. Nathalie no longer had to feel guilty now that she knew he and her stepsister had never been involved. As for Raoul, he had a whole new reason to live. “It’s the greatest news you could have been given.”
“I’ll have to keep this quiet until my divorce is final.”
“I agree.”
“Would you talk to Nathalie and ask her how soon I could see Alain in private?”
His pulse raced. “I’ll call her right now and find out what can
be arranged. Even if she’s in bed, she’ll understand the urgency.”
“What would I do without you, Dom?”
Feeling euphoric, he patted his cousin’s shoulder before pulling out his cell phone. With the whole truth revealed, nothing could keep him and Nathalie apart now. His pulse raced when she picked up on the third ring.
“Dominic?”