pregnant. Someone had come into the bathroom when she was waiting for the pregnancy test to show. She’d left the box on the counter while she was in the stall, and when she exited, Heidi had been lurking in the hallway.
“Not important. Do you really think he’s going to be happy? He wants to get away from here so he can make something of himself. How easy do you think that will be when he has to care for you and a baby? I know you know him well enough to know that he’ll work whatever job he can to do just that, but is that what you want for him? Dead-end jobs, all because you wanted a family at your age?”
Darcy felt the tears start—as much as she didn’t want to listen, the man was voicing her own thoughts.
“I’m asking you to think of Lucien. If you love him as much as I believe you do, let him go. I will take care of him, look out for him, and make sure he achieves all that he wishes, but I’ll only do it if you step out of his life.”
“No! Don’t ask me to do that. I love him; he’s my family. Who are you to him?”
“Someone with his best interests at heart, and I seem to be the only one. You are more concerned about yourself than what’s best for Lucien. Will you consider not being so selfish by stepping away and giving him a real chance at happiness?”
“He’s happy with me.”
“Young love is very fickle. Once he learns about the baby and how his freedom is about to be snatched away, his love will fade—and quickly. Trust me.”
Darcy’s heart broke as he spoke aloud her greatest fear. She loved Lucien so much, loved him enough to let him go. Yet just thinking of not seeing him again nearly brought her to her knees.
“He’s waiting for me. I need to tell him. I have to say good-bye.”
“Do you think that’s wise?”
She was incredulous and outraged when she accused correctly, “You want him to think I forgot him.”
“Yes, his anger will let him break from his past and move on to his future. Do we have a deal?”
Her answer was barely audible, but it was all the man needed before he turned and walked out. Darcy dropped onto her bed. She felt dead inside, but each painful beat of her heart only served to remind her that she wasn’t that lucky.
That night Lucien walked around Allegro doing his normal routine check, but there was a part of him that was hoping to find Darcy. He found her sitting in a corner, drinking a glass of wine, completely absorbed in the music. He liked that she appeared to like music as much as he did. Her eyes moved to him as if she knew he was there and a small smile touched her lips.
“Hi.”
“Do you mind if I join you?”
She gestured to the free chair across from her. “Please.”
“They’re great, aren’t they?”
Her attention had already turned back to the band when she replied, “Yes.” She looked over at him. “Where did you learn to play?”
“There was this guy who played at a club where I was a bouncer. He was brilliant and so content. I think that was what first caught my notice, the peace about him when he played. He told me that music could give me the escape I was looking for. He taught me, and every free moment I had, I practiced.”
“You’re wonderful—that night at Peacock. I could listen to you all night.”
He knew he was staring, but he couldn’t help it. She was older and more confident, but even so he could still see the caterpillar she had been. He saw the corner of her mouth lift before she said, “I’ll send you a picture.”
“You turned into a butterfly.”
The sight of the pain that swept her face made his heart twist in his chest. She lowered her eyes. “No, I just traded one cage for another.”
“What does that mean?”
She lifted her sad eyes to his. “I made a choice that I have regretted from the very moment I made it. I hurt the only person I ever loved. I’ll regret not meeting you that day for the rest of my life.”
Pain and anger turned his voice hard. “Why didn’t you?”
“Believe it or not, I did it for you. I thought you would be better off without me.”
He hadn’t meant to grab her arm so hard, but