Scarlett knew she wouldn’t be able to attend. A deeper melancholy stalked her, one stemming from the fact that she and Kiara had both known their lives would change after Niko passed. They had talked about it in hushed tones while sitting at Niko’s bedside, wondering what would happen once Val and Javiero knew about their children.
Maybe nothing will change. Maybe they won’t care, Kiara had said in a whisper at one point.
They had joked that staying on the island, raising their children as a celibate same-sex couple might have its perks. At least the toilet seat would always stay down.
They both desperately wanted the fathers of their children to bond with their babies, though, no matter what that meant for their own futures.
“When I asked how Kiara seemed, I meant with Val. Was she upset? How did he seem to be taking the news about Aurelia?”
“I have no idea. It was all I could do to be civil to him. I turned them away and came back up here.”
“You turned her away? I can’t make you like your brother, Javiero, but I expect you to be nice to Kiara. From the time I told her I was pregnant, she’s only ever been happy for me, even though she knew it meant Aurelia’s portion of Niko’s fortune would instantly be cut in half. She and I have always agreed we would never behave like your mothers. We won’t fight over that money.”
Her superiority was wasted.
“She can have it, as far as I’m concerned,” he said flatly.
“Really? Because the conversation I overheard made it sound like you were anxious to get your hands on it.”
A chill like the creeping fingers of frost emanated off him to invade and stall her heart.
“What you heard was the lifetime of ravenous insecurity Niko instilled in my mother with his cruel dangling of that money only to snatch it away. His fortune has caused so much pain and strife for me and people I care about, I refuse to poison my son with a cent of it.”
She really had underestimated his hatred of his father. It made going to him nine months ago seem almost an act of maliciousness, embroiling him further in Niko’s affairs rather than allowing him the clean break he obviously preferred.
Recognizing that left her shaking at her core, but she had to make the situation clear. “It’s not your choice whether Locke gets it. Niko’s assets will be managed under a trust until Locke and Aurelia are old enough to decide what they want to do with their portion. There’s an allowance for me to support him—”
“I will support you and Locke.”
Scarlett licked her chapped lips.
“We can discuss that if it’s important to you, but I don’t expect you to support us. I might not have told you about my pregnancy, but I never intended to keep you from your son or use him to get anything from you. I have the means to give him an excellent life. Along with my allowance, I draw a salary for managing the trust. Plus, Kiara and I have the use of the villa. There’s a stipulation to maintain its staff and upkeep. Any material support you offer is strictly at your discretion.”
“I won’t live on the island and neither will he,” Javiero pronounced with every ounce of the implacable, single-minded stubbornness she’d witnessed in him over the years. “Your allowance can stay in the bank. You’re coming to Madrid and I’ll provide everything. You won’t need to work, either. We’re getting married as soon as it can be arranged.”
A nurse heard their voices and came in to check on them. Gently she encouraged Javiero to return to his hotel, insisting Scarlett needed her rest.
Scarlett tried to sleep, but Javiero’s pronouncement pressed on her, making it hard to breathe. She couldn’t marry him. It wasn’t just about fighting for her right to control Niko’s fortune—which she would do—or how thoroughly marriage would impact the freedom she had finally been granted by Niko’s death. There were things in her past that Javiero and his mother definitely did not want to be connected to. Things she didn’t want to confess to if she could avoid it.
They didn’t circle back to his proposal—could she call it a proposal?—until the following day. Javiero arrived in time to speak to her doctor as he was making his rounds.
“I’ve arranged for a private nurse. Will that be sufficient to discharge them early so they can travel to Spain with me?” Javiero asked. “We’ll hire a nanny once we’re in Madrid,” he added in an aside to Scarlett. “I have a designer working on plans for the formal nursery, but a temporary one is being organized for our arrival.”
“A formal nursery. Like, one where ball gowns and tails will be worn?” Scarlett wasn’t sure where the sarcasm came from, but he’d put her on the defensive with his railroading tactics. That sort of behavior had been standard with Niko but, among other good reasons to tolerate his bullish tendencies, he had paid her salary.
Javiero gave her a sharp look but didn’t respond. He listened carefully as the doctor promised to check with the pediatrician, who was likely to agree to early release so long as she had proper care.
The doctor left and Scarlett folded her arms across the draped front of the pretty print dress Javiero had arranged to be delivered first thing this morning. He had ordered her a small wardrobe from a shop that specialized in maternity wear and clever styles for nursing
