Sasha headed for the stairs. “I’d just like to be alone, Iris.”
The housekeeper was clearly reluctant to accept that, but inclined her head. “If you wish, Mrs. Valente.”
“I do.”
Sasha made her way to the bedroom, sick with anguish. She threw some water on her face, hoping the coldness would take away her inner pain, but knowing it was a losing battle. She was burning up inside, her despair like a flame inside her, growing higher and more intense. An iceberg could not put it out.
She knew what she had to do. Nick would no longer want her in his house or in his life and she wouldn’t wait around for him to kick her out. He would be glad to see her gone. No doubt he would even get someone else in to oversee the redecorating.
Her throat tightening, she began to throw some of her things in a suitcase. She would get the rest later. Or better still, leave them for charity. She wouldn’t want any reminders of her marriage.
Just then there was a tap at the door and she swallowed a moan. “Come in.”
The housekeeper’s eyes widened when she saw the suitcase on the bed. “Um … your mother’s on the phone, Mrs. Valente.”
Sasha’s nerves tensed. “I don’t want to talk to anyone right now, Iris.”
“She says it’s urgent.”
Sasha winced, then realized it was best to take the call. She felt too raw to give her mother the support she needed right now, but once she pulled herself together, she’d manage it in the future.
Somehow.
She picked up the phone. “Mum, I—”
“Sasha, how could you! You said you would give your father until Friday and now you’ve gone and told the Valentes. You’ve betrayed your own family.”
She then went into a tirade about Porter going to jail and that her daughter had sent him there, and at that moment Sasha finally understood something. No matter what her father did, her mother would always make excuses for him.
And her daughter would come a poor second.
Sasha quietly hung up. Her mother was welcome to do what she wanted with her life, but she wasn’t about to help her do that any longer.
It was over.
Just like her marriage to Nick.
There was only one place where she’d found a measure of peace before. She would go back to London. There was nothing for her here.
Nick drove home as fast as he dared. Last night when Sasha had begged him to make love to her, she must have known something was about to happen. She should have told him the truth. She should have said something.
Anything.
Then he remembered how she’d tried to tell him the truth back in the conference room, only he hadn’t wanted to listen. He’d accused her of revenge.
Dammit all to hell.
He took the stairs two at a time, not believing Iris’s words that Sasha had packed her things and gone. Then he saw some of her clothes missing from the wardrobe and the dresser now empty of her possessions.
And he felt empty deep inside.
So empty he wasn’t sure if he could live without her.
Not when she’d taken his heart with her.
He sucked in a lungful of air. He hadn’t seen it coming, but he loved her. It hit him fair and square between the eyes. He could not deny it.
And now he couldn’t even tell her. He had no idea where she’d gone, except that he knew she wouldn’t go home. After what he’d seen, her parents wouldn’t want her.
Well, he did.
He strode to the telephone beside the bed and called Joyce. He’d turn this city over until he found the woman he loved.
Chapter Twelve
Sasha tightened the belt of her bathrobe, then began toweling her hair dry as she walked into the bedroom. She probably should order something to eat except that she didn’t have an appetite. It was going to be a long time before—
“Sasha.”
Her head shot up, her heart slamming against her ribs at the sight of her husband standing in her hotel room. “Nick!”
Their eyes locked, but she could tell nothing from his expression.
“Yes, Sasha. It’s me.”
Her mind tried to take it in. He was here. Oh God, Nick was really here. But how? Why? She dare not hope. No, not even the tiniest bit.
Placing the towel on the table, she pushed back her wet hair and faced him. “How did you find me?”
“You used your credit card to book the hotel, and then again for your flight to London tomorrow.”
She hadn’t thought he’d be looking so she hadn’t given it a second thought. Then she realized why he’d come looking for her. The disappointment was immense.
She thrust back her shoulders. “Look, if you want more details about my father, you’ve had a wasted journey.”
“I already know the details.”
Her forehead creased. Was he playing some sort of game with her? “Then there’s nothing to say.”
“There’s plenty to say.” He paused and suddenly regret seemed to cut through him. “I’m sorry, Sasha.”
“S-sorry?”
“For not trusting you.”
She swallowed hard. “I don’t understand.”
“I shouldn’t have been so quick to believe you’d have anything to do with what your father did.”
She searched his eyes. “You believe me?”
“Now I do. But it wasn’t until Porter inadvertently told us your involvement that I realized I’d misjudged you.” He took in a lungful of air. “I’m sorry, Sasha. I’ll say I’m sorry every day for the rest of our lives if that’s what it takes.”
Her heart began to wobble. “You want me to come back to you?”
His expression opened up fully for the first time ever. “How can I live in that great big house without the woman I love to share it with me?”
“Nick, are you—” She moistened her mouth. Dare she say the words? “Are you saying you love me?”
“Yes.”
Her heart jumped with joy but still she held back. She was too scared to believe it. There had to be another reason.
“Is this your revenge, Nick? Are you going to get me to admit I love you and then walk away?”
There was a flash of pain in his eyes. “No. The only direction I’m walking in is to you.” His steps did exactly that. And then he stood in front of her, his gaze achingly intense. “Do you love me, Sasha?”