“Good morning.” She flashed him a bright smile, even though her insides shivered with nerves.
“Morning.” His gaze didn’t meet hers.
She took a seat next to him and poured herself a cup of coffee. Now that she was no longer pregnant and the baby wasn’t breastfeeding, she was free to drink all the caffeine she desired—and this morning, she desired the entire pot. Every muscle in her body was sore, but in a good way—a very good way.
“You should have woken me to take care of Seb.”
“No need.”
She arched a brow. “You took care of him?”
A dark line formed across his brow. “Yes.”
“Sorry. I just know how fussy he can get in the morning. And you’ve never handled him right when he wakes up. Did everything go okay?”
“Yes.”
“That’s good. I’ll set my alarm for tomorrow.” Her attempt at making conversation was failing miserably.
He turned his attention to his phone and appeared to be scrolling through emails. So much for pretending that last night didn’t happen. She might as well face the big pink elephant in the middle of the room.
She took a sip of coffee before setting aside the cup. “About last night—”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
When he looked at her, it was with skepticism and something else—was it anger? Or pain? But in a blink, his emotions were hidden behind a wall. She felt cutoff and adrift.
He regrets our night together.
When she’d confessed to her part in the death of her sister and his brother, Apollo had said all of the right things. In that moment, he’d convinced her that what had happened was fate. She should have known that once he thought over her confession about what had happened to his brother that he would blame her just like she blamed herself.
They’d let themselves get caught up in the moment—wanting to believe their attraction could overcome the obstacles. At least that’s how it had been for her. Maybe for him it had been something much less—something more physical. Either way, it was over.
And there was the email that she’d received from Lea, confirming that the renovations to Infinity Island were almost complete. Popi’s bungalow had been completed first and it was ready for her and Seb to return. She’d been planning to delay her return, just until she knew where things were going with Apollo. But now she knew and there was no reason to put off their departure. It was time to introduce Seb to his new home.
“I received an email this morning. The work on the island is wrapping up. It’s time I leave.”
Apollo’s head lifted and his guarded gaze met hers. “It’s probably for the best. Last night, it shouldn’t have happened.”
His words broke her heart. The breath stilled in her lungs as the pain of loss and rejection seeped into her bones. It was with effort that she sucked in some much-needed oxygen.
Just keep it together. Just a little longer.
“I... I slept too late to catch today’s ferry. I still have all of my stuff to pack and the baby’s—”
“He stays here.” Apollo’s blue eyes were ice-cold.
“I can’t just leave him.” Her voice wobbled.
This can’t be happening. Everything is falling apart. All because I couldn’t resist him last night.
Apollo placed both hands flat on the table and leaned toward her. “You’re free to leave, but that little boy upstairs is my flesh and blood. Not yours. He stays.”
His sharp words stabbed her heart. Was that what he’d boiled everything down to? Blood relations? Tears pricked the back of her eyes. She blinked. “But...he’ll wonder what happened to me.”
“I’m not heartless. I won’t cut you completely out of his life.” Apollo looked at her accusingly, like she’d do the same to him. “You can visit him here at the estate.”
“And that’s it?” She struggled to keep from shouting, but with every word her voice rose. “I’m not the baby’s biological aunt, so I’m not important—”
His gaze didn’t meet hers. “I didn’t say you weren’t important.”
“Just not as important as a Drakos.” Anger, pain and resentment balled up within her. She felt like she was on the verge of losing absolutely everything that truly mattered to her. She couldn’t just give up that precious baby boy. Not without a fight.