Page 243 of Champagne Nights

Even though I couldn’t hear his voice, I saw the pleading and the worry in his eyes.

“When were you going to tell me about Kirsten and the baby?” I finally managed to ask.

A shocked expression overtook his face as the color drained from it. I pushed him out of the way and got up. He grabbed my arm and spun me around.

“Don’t walk away from me. We need to talk about this. How did you find out?”

“Not from you. That’s for sure,” I shouted as I signed. “How could you do that to me? Why didn’t you tell me?”

He gripped my arms and then quickly let go.

“I wanted to tell you. I just found out she was pregnant on our last day on the boat. I needed to figure things out before I told you,” he signed.

“You were engaged to her when we met,” I shouted. “We went out, and you were engaged!” The tears streamed down my face.

“I broke it off with her. Ellie, you must listen to me. I never loved her and was miserable until I met you.”

“If you didn’t love her, why were you going to marry her?!”

“Because of my parents! You don’t know them. If I were to gain control of the company, I needed to be married or engaged by the time I turned thirty. They introduced us because they thought she was perfect for me. I gave her a chance, but I neverloved her. And then, when I met you and instantly fell head over heels for you, I knew what I had to do.”

“But you never told me about her! You never said you were engaged. I asked you if you lived alone, and you told me yes!” I signed and shouted at the same time.

“I did live alone. She had her place, and I had mine. She wanted to move in, and I wouldn’t let her.”

“Why did you keep her a secret?”

“Because I was scared. I was afraid you wouldn’t want to see me anymore, and I couldn’t risk that. I love you, Ellie. You are my entire life. You have to believe me. Who told you?”

“Your mom. She came to the café I was at earlier and introduced herself to me.”

“What?” His eyes narrowed.

“She asked me if you had told me about your engagement and about the baby. She said I am to stay away from you because you’re going to marry Kirsten, and the two of you are going to raise the baby together.”

He placed his hands on his head and paced around the room.

“I am not marrying that woman!” he signed in anger.

I stood there as the tears fell from my eyes, and I physically felt my broken heart.

“You should have told me about her from the start. You lied to me, Henry. This whole relationship has been one big lie.”

“Don’t, Ellie. Don’t say that.”

“It’s true. I’m telling you the truth. Something you should have done from the beginning.”

“Would you have gone out with me if I told you I was engaged?”

“No.”

“Exactly!” He pointed at me. “I broke it off with her right after we met and before we slept together. That is the honest to God’s truth! I cannot believe my mother did that.”

“I’m happy she did because now I know something.” I wiped the tears from my eyes.

“Know what?” he signed.

“That you’re a liar and a cheater, and I can never trust you. I need you to leave right now.”

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