Page 31 of Her Irresistible Husband

It's Wynd's turn to jerk in his seat, an expression of disbelief on his handsome face. "I had a chance to speak with Brenda last week..."

Is he talking about the orphanage's manager?

"She had to leave the fundraiser to meet with a woman. A prospective parent who was at the top of her list, and someone she was hoping would no longer be single..."

Oh, Wynd.

I slowly shake my head. "It wasn't me. And I won't...I've decided not to fight you over the right to adopt Samuel."

"Why? Don't you want him anymore?"

My nails dig into my palms as I force myself to say the truth. "I love him, Wynd. I'll always love him. But it's because I love him that I...I want him to be with you. He'll have a better future with you."

"Are you sure of that?" he asks tonelessly. "I can only provide for him. But if you...if you fall in love with someone else—"

"I'm sorry. I have to go." I'm already on my feet while speaking, and I'm walking away without any intention to hear the rest of what he has to say.

For him to talk about me with another man so, so easily...doesn't that mean he's already moved on?

So why can't it be the same for me, too?

Please help me, God.

Why am I still in love with him?

"Star—"

I walk faster as soon as I hear his voice behind me.

No, no, no.

I need to be as far away from him as possible. I need to get out of here before I completely break down in front of half of San Antonio's elite. I just—noooo!

I've only made it halfway across the dining room before long fingers cup my elbow from behind, and then he's spinning me around in the middle of the restaurant's main corridor.

Tears are already streaming down my cheeks before our gazes even meet, and they only spill faster when I hear him groan.

"Star, God, no..."

Wynd hauls me to his chest, and his arms only tighten around me when I struggle to free myself.

A part of me is reeling in shock, unable to comprehend how my billionaire of ice seems completely indifferent to the fact that everyone in the restaurant is staring...at us.

But the other part of me is just...hurting. It's the part of me that loves him still, the part of me that is trying so, so hard not to break into pieces.

"Wynd, p-please—"

"You know I love you, don't you?"

A sob escapes me at the hoarsely spoken words.

Why is he doing this?

Why?

"And I know you love me back."

Why tell me this when he's still determined to leave?

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