Chapter 79

“I can only tell you that, when you informed me you were pregnant, I wanted you and the baby so badly, I don’t have words to explain it. Every nerve in my body screamed at me to make you mine forever. I didn’t think that telling the truth would serve any purpose except to tear us apart.”

“The truth is tearing us apart.” She shook her head, face tense. Tears threatened to spill, and Luc hated that he’d put that look on her face. “When we married, it was enough for me that you were the father of my baby. I thought I loved you enough for both of us, and that someday, you might come to love me, too.”

She loved him? The elation he should have felt died a quick death, strangled by fear. Alyssa had spoken in past tense.

“You don’t have to hope, sugar. I love you. I—”

“Convenient to say now. Do you really think three words will make everything better?”

Luc stood, swallowing down his dread. “No, and that’s not why I’m saying them now. I know it will take time for me to