Chapter 88

He hesitated; then disappointment crashed over his face. He clenched his jaw and finally nodded. “Do you have any objections?”

“Have you read the annulment papers?”

“Yes.”

His tone gave her more hope. “You spit that out like a bad word.”

Luc anchored a hand around her waist, then brought her closer to him. Their bodies nearly touched . . . but not quite. Then he lay his forehead on hers, his breath tightly controlled. “It is. Ending our marriage is the last thing I want.” He took a deep breath and stepped back. “But I’ll respect your decision, whatever it is.”

He left everything to her, put the power in her hands. If he cared only about himself and his chance to become a parent, he’d never do that. Ever. He’d push and coerce, threaten, cajole . . . anything but let her make the ultimate decision.

“I love you,” she whispered.

The next split second of silence terrified her, especially as both hope and disappointment mingled on his face. What was he t