page35 (2/2)

‘Maybe, but I know it’s possible It’s not that they wouldn’t understand usfor the baby, wouldn’t be supportive But they’d knoas giving up on my dream I don’t want to do that to theht at him ‘As well as to myself

‘All my parents want is forraphed and expelled they were disappointed, of course they were, although they didn’t yell or punish me—but they weren’t surprised either They knew I’d ain I was so deterht, to show them I could cope on my own’

‘I think you are being hard on yourself—and on them,’ he added unexpectedly ‘They adore you Do you kno lucky you are to have that? People who care about you? Who only want you to be happy?’

All Daisy could do was stare at hian but he cut her off

‘I agree, lying to your fareed—but do you knohat I fear? That you’re right, that if you tell them the truth then they will stop you, they will show you that with a family like yours there is no way in hell you have to shackle yourself to me, that you and the baby will be fine, that you won’t need me’

‘No, you’re the baby’s father and nothing will change that Of course the baby will need you’ There was so much she didn’t know, so much that she feared—but of this she was convinced

She could need him too If she allowed herself Today had been almost perfect: help, support, wordless communication But she kneas a one-off She had to train herself to enjoy these days when they came—and to never expect them

‘I hope so’ His smile was crooked ‘As for the rest, Daisy, youdeal At least you learned fro of yourself You’re not the only member of your family—or mine—to have dominated the headlines Both your sisters spent their time on the front covers and they were older than you’

‘I know’ Could she aduilt she never allowed herself to articulate to anyone? Not even herself ‘But Violet was set up Horribly and cruelly and callously set up and betrayed—and I don’t think it is a coincidence that it wasn’t long after everything that happened to me I often wondered’ She paused ‘I think it was because of me I had dropped out of the headlines so they went after my sister And they destroyed her’

‘It’s because of who your parents are, simple as that You’re all wealthy and beautiful’ A shiver went through her at the desire in his eyes as he said the last word ‘You’re connected People love that stuff That’s e have to be careful, not a breath of scandal Or they’ll never leave us alone’