The Secret Baby Revenge by Emma Darcy

Author:Emma Darcy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2006-08-01T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

NICOLE’S mind was jammed with so many conflicting thoughts it was impossible to produce any sensible response to Quin’s declaration. She listened dumbly as Zoe started her own childish interrogation, trying to understand where Quin was coming from, why he was here now.

“My daddy?” she queried wonderingly.

“Yes,” Quin confirmed, admitting no doubt whatsoever. “Look for yourself,” he invited. “We have the same eyes, the same hair, the same nose. I’m your father.”

Silence while she studied the face in front of her. Then she looked up at Nicole for assurance. “Is it true, Mummy?”

Nicole’s head ached from the terrible mental traffic racing through it. Her heart was squeezed by so many painful emotions, it struggled to keep beating. Her mouth was hopelessly dry. “Yes,” she croaked out, realising it would be futile to deny it.

Zoe returned her gaze to the father who had been missing all her life and with artless innocence asked, “Where have you been, Daddy? Why have you come now in the middle of the night?”

Quin didn’t even pause to think. He came straight out with, “I’ve been lost in another world to yours, Zoe. And I’ve only just found my way here. I couldn’t wait until tomorrow to see you. I hope you don’t mind.”

Magnetic charm was pouring out of him.

And Nicole hated him for it.

Winning over their daughter when he hadn’t paid a moment’s pain for her wasn’t fair. Nowhere near fair.

“Will you be here tomorrow?” Zoe asked.

“That depends on whether your mother will let me stay,” he answered.

“Mummy?” A look of appeal from Zoe.

“We mustn’t count on it,” she warned her daughter before shooting a fuming look at Quin. “Your father might have to go back to his other world.”

“Do you have to, Daddy?” Zoe asked directly.

“Not if I can help it, but your mother and I need to talk about how we can be together. If I’m not here tomorrow, I promise I’ll be back very soon. Okay?”

He smiled at her.

She smiled back, believing him. “Okay.”

“Back to sleep now,” Nicole commanded, unable to bear any more togetherness between Quin and her daughter. She lifted Zoe into bed and tucked her up tightly, wanting to shield her precious child from the man who could make a terrible mess of their lives.

“Good night, darling,” she murmured, pressing a fervent kiss on her forehead—a kiss of love that spanned years, not a few minutes.

“’Night, Mummy. Is my Daddy going to kiss me goodnight, too?”

“Yes, he is,” Quin asserted before Nicole could reply, and she had to stand back and let him do it, fighting a mountain of fierce resentment at his assumption of a role he hadn’t earned.

She closed her ears to the all too intimate murmurs between them and walked to the door, impatient to usher Quin out, get him away from her daughter.

He came promptly enough not to stir her anger any higher, glancing at the butterfly tree before he passed out of the room. She switched off the light, closed the door, and

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