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Therese let her sister-in-law hold her, pathetically grateful for the human contact that was not motivated by a need to put on a facade for the press “I don’t knohat I’ll do if he dies,” she whispered

She hadn’tso She was so used to protecting her feelings, it was second nature, but her emotions were too close to the surface to be completely hidden

“He won’t die, sweetie Don’t talk that way” Maggie patted Therese’s back like she was co a child and she felt tears slide into her eyes

She could not res Had touched her to comfort her Certainly not Claudio He acted as if her heart was made of iron ore and twice as hard as it should be

Her parents had never even comforted her as a child She was supposed to hide her every fear and never adame that had led to a week in traction as pay her pain in any way

She pulled away fro that if she didn’t, the other wo “Can we see hi, but you can look in on hi fine Really”

Therese nodded and then turned to go to King Vincente’s roo to see if Claudio followed He did, the presence of his tall frah he was not in her line of sight and alking as silently as a Black Ops agent There was a connection between them that she doubted divorce and the separation of an ocean and a continent could even sever…on her side anyway

She pushed the door open to the roo inside

A di, his normally bronzed features the color of flour paste except for the dark, bruising circles under his eyes

“He looks so weak” Claudio’s voice froht beside her was hoarse with emotion

“Yes, but he will be fine,” To, Please, Lord, let him be fine

Tomasso moved to stand beside his brother and whisper, “You et here so quickly”

Claudio shrugged “It was necessary”