Chapter 73

No, he wasn’t Bruce—could never deliberately deceive and devastate someone, then walk away from a child he’d created—but he’d also blackmailed, hurt, used Jennifer, then turned his back on Vivian… the woman he loved.

God. He loved her.

The force of the revelation struck him with the blow of a mallet to the chest. He sank to his chair, staring blindly ahead.

He loved Vivian.

Somehow, despite every wall, every barrier and shield he’d thrown up, she’d wedged herself into his heart, his soul. No wonder he’d felt so empty these past days. The one who’d given him life again was gone.

Because, yes, she’d resuscitated him, jolting his heart so it beat. She’d given him more than work to be excited about—she’d given him her quiet humor, her defiance, her wit, her loyalty, her body…her love. And what had he done? Thrown it back at her like it meant nothing.

“I realize now that you don’t even respect me enough to give me answers to questions like this… becaus