Page 43 of My Master
Esmeralda’s breath caught, her stomach lurching. “Is it really so painful?”
Marco looked alarmed at the face she was making. “Don’t fret, Esmeralda,” he tried reassuring her. “You have your mother’s spirit and strength. You’ll be fine.”
“You met my mother, then?”
Marco nodded. “Once.Very spirited young woman. She was also very bright.”
An odd feeling fluttered through her. This was the first time she’d ever spoken to Marco Santiago alone. She never would have imagined chatting him up, especially not about this; not about her parents.
“Is that why you took me in?”
He nodded. “I recognized you straight away when you showed up clinging to Damien’s arms.”
Esmeralda clenched her hands into fists. “Why didn’t you ever tell me?” she demanded on a whisper. “Why didn’t you ever tell me who my parents were?”
He had the audacity to look guilty. “Damien said—”
“Damien said,” Esmeralda interrupted. “Everyone spent years listening to Damien and nobody ever questioned him. You alienated your son, mySoul Mate,because you didn’t want to listen to hear what he had to say. You chose Damien over him and now you don’t have either of them.”
Esmeralda hadn’t meant to snap at him but the rage seemed to boil deep inside of her. All of that rage dissipated as the hurt flashed across Marco’s features. She relaxed the tightness in her body.
“I know all that I’ve lost. I lost my son, Carlos, way before I lost my wife. I didn’t know how to love him, not with my attention focused entirely on my career. I lost Antonio when I believed Damien over him. I lost Damien to death. I’m lucky I haven’t yet lost Maria. I know I have no one but I am doing my best to get back those that are still alive.”
Esmeralda swallowed the sudden lump that had formed in her throat. “Good,” she finally whispered after a long pause. “I hope you do. For the sake of my baby.”
“Here’s your water,querida.” Antonio seemed to appear out of nowhere, startling Esmeralda in her seat. He was holding a small Styrofoam cup of water in his hands. She searched his face but he gave no indication that he’d heard their conversation at all. She took it, smiling her thanks, and sipped; it instantly took the dryness from her mouth.
She smiled at him in thanks and scooted over, patting the seat next to her. He didn’t sit, only looked at her.
“What?” She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear self-consciously.
“I’m going to go with Phillipe to the mall so that we can end this once and for all.” He turned to Marco Santiago. “Please keep an eye on her.”
Esmeralda crushed the cup in her hands, the water spilling between the cracks of her fingers and onto her lap. She paid it no mind. Antonio wanted to go and risk his life to save Isis, yet again. She hopped to her feet, dropping the crushed cup to the floor. “Don’t go Antonio!” She reached for the front of his dark shirt. “Please stay with me.” She hated the desperation in her voice but she couldn’t help it. She wanted to give him a reason to stay, a reason not to risk his life.Tell him,she thought.Tell him now.
“I have to go.” He brushed his fingers down her cheek, sending that familiar comforting fire through her. His warmth seeped through his fingertips and into her. “I have to bring Isis back.”
“Please stay,” she whispered, forcing the tears back. She was sick of crying.
“I’m doing this for you, Ezzy. Can’t you see? Everything that I do is for you! I want to bring Isis back safely foryou. I hate to see you suffer.”
So those were his reasons? That’s what it came down to? He was doing everything for her? She wanted Isis home, but she wanted Antonio home safely too. She couldn’t bear the thought of losing them both. Esmeralda had to give him a reason to stay. She had to tell him…
“Please just let the police do their job! Stay, please! I need you!”
“Isis needs me.”
Marco Santiago stood, placing his hand on Antonio’s shoulder. “But Isis is not the only one who needs you.”
Antonio looked at his dad like he was crazy.
Tell him, tell him now.
Antonio shook his head. “I can’t leave her to die.” He turned and started to walk away.
Tell him now.Esmeralda clutched her stomach and shut her eyes. She took in a deep breath and blurted, “Antonio, I’m pregnant!!!”
He stopped in his tracks and turned around. “What?”
