“A story just broke in the European newspapers...”
“What story?” She asked in bewilderment and Rick swore softly.
“Sweetheart we can discuss it later, for now we have to leave before the vultures descend.”
“No, Rick,” she maintained stubbornly. “I’m not leaving my home without good reason.” Rick’s jaw clenched and his expression clearly gave away his frustration with her.
“Terri they’re saying that Sandro was blackmailed into marrying you. That he did so for his father. They’re also saying that a source close to the family claims that since Sandro has no reason to be with you anymore he’ll be filing for a divorce as soon as he gets back.”
“I never thought of that,” Theresa half-whispered to herself. “Of course he’s free now. That’s probably why I never heard from him, he’s been busy planning this... I should have realised that he would want that. I should have seen this coming.”
“Theresa, don’t you dare beat yourself up about it. If the divorce rumours are true then he’s a bastard for abandoning his pregnant wife when she needs him most,” Rick fumed.
“No, I’m happy for him. He was trapped…” she was so dazed, she barely realised what she was saying and Rick swore in disbelief.
“My God, it’s like you have battered wife syndrome. Stop making excuses for him, he’s an ass who hurt you time and again.” When it looked like she was about to protest, Lisa stepped forward.
“Come on, darling, let’s get you packed up and out of here,” her cousin took charge, grabbing hold of Theresa’s arm and jerking her out of her stupor. Lisa steered her out of the room, tossing a warning look over her shoulder when it looked like Rick wanted to say something more.
After getting settled at Rick and Lisa’s, Theresa decided to give the couple, who were walking on eggshells around her, a break from her presence by taking a nap. She was just slipping into a troubled doze when she heard the unmistakable voice of her husband coming from a distance. She frowned and sat upright, pushing her tangled hair out of her face. She tilted her head, not sure if her imagination was playing tricks on her, until she heard it again. It was Sandro, without a doubt, and he sounded agitated.
She got out of bed with some difficulty before padding to the door on bare feet and opening it slightly. This time she could clearly make out his voice.
“I had nothing to do with that story,” he was protesting. “And I’ll be damned if you keep me away from my family like this.”
“She doesn’t want to see you, Sandro,” Rick informed with obvious relish and there was a moment’s charged silence.
“Maybe not,” Sandro finally conceded quietly. “But that’s because she doesn’t know everything. I just need to explain things to her. I need to talk with her...”
“Explain what? How you’ve been cheating on her with that woman since nearly the day of your wedding? How you’ve spent every available moment with her since you returned to Italy for the funeral, while your heavily pregnant wife waited in vain for you to call her every day?”
“I haven’t cheated on her,” Sandro growled after a moment’s silence. “Not in deed and not in thought. Not once. She knows that.”
“All she knows is that her husband left nearly two weeks ago, supposedly to attend his father’s funeral but then hooked up with his mistress and started divorce proceedings once he realised that nothing was tying him to his wife anymore.”
“There’s a hell of a lot tying me to my wife, Palmer,” Sandro gritted. “Our baby for one.”
“Oh please, we know how little you actually want that baby, De Lucci.”
“I want him,” Sandro said quietly, so quietly she nearly missed it. “I want them both...”
“Stop it,” Theresa could stand it no more, she waddled into the living room where Rick and Lisa stood on one side of the room and Sandro on the other. The atmosphere was so charged that Theresa was sure her hair was standing on end. Sandro’s face tightened at the sight of her.
“Theresa,” he whispered. “This was not meant for you to hear.”
“It doesn’t matter,” she shrugged listlessly. “I’m tired... I’m so tired of all this, Sandro.”
“I know, cara but it will get better. I promise you that.”
“I don’t see how it can...” she shook her head bitterly and he groaned, closing the distance between them in four strides, before gathering her into his arms and hugging her tenderly.
“It can. It will. I didn’t file for a divorce, Theresa. I have no reason to divorce you...”
“Sandro please just... shut up!” She interrupted furiously, pushing him away forcefully and his face went ruddy but his mouth slammed shut. “If you won’t divorce me then I’ll be the one divorcing you. I don’t want a husband who feels obligated to be with me. You have no reason to stay with me anymore. I can take care of myself and I can take care of this baby. I don’t need you or your guilt anymore. You’re free to leave. In fact, I want you to go.” He said nothing, merely stared down at her, with one hand squeezing the nape of his neck. His face was inscrutable, his eyes dark with an emotion that she could not read. He looked stunned, incapable of movement and Theresa realised that he needed a harder push.
“For God’s sake, go back to the woman you love! Go back to Francesca.” She turned away from him, dismissing him contemptuously but froze when he swore shakily.