The Billionaire's Baby Bargain(59)

But he’d watched her with each passing day, and though at night she came alive in his arms, during the day she was a ghost of herself. She barely ate and had shadows under eyes that seemed to be forever swollen from crying. And he’d begun to realize it wouldn’t be enough. Not for Chloe.

When the Rolls-Royce pulled up the drive to his villa, the first prickle of premonition hit him that there was change about.

Andrés climbed out of the car, slowly approaching the house. The air outside was cool, the skies dark and ominous with the threat of rain. Before he could reach the door it swung inward, illuminating Chloe and the small suitcase she clutched in her hand.

“I’m leaving,” she said unnecessarily, her eyes void of expression. “If you want to try and take our child after it is born, I’ll fight you in court with every penny I have. Maybe I won’t win, but I’m willing to take that risk. I can’t live like this.” Her voice finally cracked. “I won’t.”

But she didn’t move, just stared at him, as if daring him to stop her. Or maybe begging silently for him to say the words he couldn’t speak.

Andrés stared down at her. Helplessness and frustration gnawed at his gut. And regret. He’d done this to her, had made her life hell. He’d tried to keep her, knowing how much she believed in finding love. Knowing that he could never be the one to give it to her. She’d given him everything. Her trust. Her body. Her heart. And what did he give in return? Not the one thing she’d needed most.

Swallowing hard against the emotion that grew tight in his throat, Andrés jerked his gaze away to look out at the fierce gray clouds gathering. Their darkness and misery matched the mood in his heart. The thought of letting Chloe and his child go made every muscle in his body scream in protest, set his blood pounding with denial.

But for once in his damn life, he was going to try and do the right thing. After everything he’d done to her, she deserved to be happy. He owed her that much. He drew in an unsteady breath and looked back at her.

“Go, Chloe,” he said tonelessly, welcoming the numbness that settled in his heart. “I’ll have the papers drawn up for a divorce.”

She made the tiniest sound of anguish; her small teeth clamped down on her lower lip. Giving a brief nod, she stepped forward and leaned on her tiptoes to press one last kiss against his cheek.

“I’ll always love you, Andrés,” Chloe whispered brokenly. “Goodbye.”

Andrés didn’t turn around as she walked past him to the Rolls-Royce. He was frozen, emotionally and physically, even while his heart pounded a tumultuous ballad of grief that she was leaving.

He listened to the car door slam shut and then the purr of the engine starting. Soon after came the crackling of tires on the paved drive.

Chloe was gone.

Almost climactically, thunder boomed through the Catalonia countryside, shaking the house and dragging him from his numb shell.

He turned to watch the car disappear, just as the first fat drop of rain hit his face. Followed by another. And another. Soon the rain was falling in merciless sheets of water.

It didn’t penetrate in his mind that they were having the first massive rainstorm in months until he was drenched. Then consequences of what would soon follow such a rain in this region began to sink in.

The pain in watching Chloe leave blasted away as the icy grip of fear and realization clutched his chest.

No. Dios, no!

He shook his head, his mouth bone-dry with horror as he spun and ran into the house to grab the keys to his Land Rover—the fear of God instilled in him.





Chapter 11



It took everything in her power for Chloe not to beg the driver to turn around.

Tears streamed down her face, blurring her view as much as the rain pounding the windows of the car.

Why was she leaving him? Was she completely insane? Surely being with Andrés, even if he didn’t love her, was better than going home to Seattle and completely cutting him from her life?

She moved her hand over her belly, feeling the small weight of their child nestled there, so innocent and unaware. And being taken farther away from its father with every passing moment.

When she’d made the decision to leave, she’d been hopeful Andrés would force her to stay again. Or would finally break down and admit that he loved her. But he hadn’t. He’d actually let her leave. Her heart clenched and she wondered again if she was making a mistake.

“Dios mío,” the driver muttered.

Chloe glanced up when the Rolls-Royce slowed. “What’s wrong, Felipe?”

“Esto no es bueno, Señora.” The driver shook his head. “The rain, it comes too fast and the road is going to flood.”