page27 (1/1)

‘I can understand that' Je to what I've read Marco canito because he wanted to prove hiht He had already done that by the time he met you Yet I suppose he could hardly tell you his real identity—not only would it have been difficult for hiht to tell you that I'm a prince" he most probably wanted you to value him for himself, not for his title or position'

Eument, and she kneas one that Marco hie of discussing the issue

‘Marco didn't tellto harden her heart against its betraying softening ‘To him, I was just aatemporary bed-et on with the really serious business of his life and return to NiroIi’

‘I think I kno you ’ Jemma allowed, ‘but I did read in one article that it wasn't until the death of his parents in an accident that Marco became the next in line to the throne I'm sure he didn't tell you because he assumed he would continue to live in London with you anonymously'

‘Ito him'

I can't believe that Eether, and so well suited'

‘It's pointless talking about it or him now It's over'

‘Is it? I can't help thinking that there's a lot of unfinished business between the two of you' Jemma told her softly ‘I know from what you told me that you left the apartment virtually as soon as you discovered the truth You uess is that Marco h for different reasons’

‘Reasons like being found out youthe one to end our relationship, not him?’ Emily asked her bitterly

‘So you wouldn't be interested if he got in touch with you?: Jemma probed quietly

‘That isn't going to happen' But she knew frouessed her weakness and how ed for him

‘Be fair to yourself Eether, and there are still loose ends for you that need proper closure, questions you need to ask and answers Marco needs to give you A poisoned wound can't heal' she pointed out wisely And until you get that poison of your break-up out of your system, you won't heal'

‘I'm fine' Emily lied defensively

‘No you aren't' Jem, you're losing weight and you obviously aren't happy'

‘It’s just this virus, that's all I can’t seem to throw it off properly’ Emily told her But she knew that Jemma wasn't deceived

E about her conversation with Jemma more than two hours later as she wandered aihten a line of already perfectly straight sa to return to her e Marco

It had been all very well telling herself that he had lied to her and that she was better off without him The reality was very different: the empty space he d left in her life had been taken over by the unending one just a short time, but already she had lost count of the nu out for hiuish when the reality that he wasn't there hit her once more No matter how hard she worked, she couldn't fill her e that Marco had left; that she wouldn't be going hoain would he hold her, or touch her or kiss her; never ever again

It was over, and soht now she had no idea how she was going to accomplish that To makeweight and felt unable to eat properly E she had picked up earlier in the year She just couldn't seeet rid of it

Allied to which, she had an even nastier heartache bug Enised Did Marco think of her at all noas living his new life E his future? A future that was ultimately, and surely, bound to include a wife Pain seized her ripping at her all her defences, leaving her exposed to the reality of what loving him really meant