If she knew, would she despise me? My stomach churned.
I chewed my lip. “He always treated me well, but . . .”
“You don’t have to say anymore.”
I raised a brow.
“Those magazines showed me a lot more than just Tatianna’s pictures. I knew the people she involved herself with were not the best.” She added hesitantly, “Your papa in particular.”
I wondered if she knew the man I came here with was D’yavol himself. She could say whatever she wanted about my papa, but I knew I would defend Ronan even if it meant losing this new connection.
The secret inside felt like it would strangle me if I didn’t get it out. “I’m not sure how her death was reported, but it wasn’t suicide.”
She gave me a solemn look. “I know, dear. The moment Tatianna left home, I knew she wouldn’t come back.” Alive was the unsaid word. “If you know more than I do about her death, you don’t have to explain. In fact, I don’t want you to explain. I’ve had a long time to grieve. I’ve come to terms with her passing, and I don’t want to relive it.”
I exhaled as relief overwhelmed me. Maybe she already had an idea of what happened. Maybe those gossip magazines were right on the money.
“You know,” I said, “I’ve mentally recited French for years, and now it all makes sense.”
“Of course it does. You are half-French.” She laughed, her eyes sliding to the bar. “So tell me about this man you came here with.”
I glanced over my shoulder to see Ronan leaning against the bar, his eyes on mine. A woman was trying to talk to him, but I didn’t think it was going well for her. I turned back to Estelle.
“I think we’re getting married.”
“You think?” she chuckled. “Shouldn’t you know?”
“I don’t know. It’s . . . complicated.” Unfortunately, there wasn’t a better word to describe our situation. “It’s all moving really fast.”
“You know, when I saw your grandfather for the first time, I knew I would marry him instantly.” Her eyes lit with a smile. “He was the new repairman at the hotel I still work at. I know it sounds silly, but that first glance at him, he looked ethereal—almost like he was too perfect to be real.” Her gaze fell. “He passed away a few years ago from cancer, and all I wish now was that I would have approached him sooner. We wasted so much time dancing around each other. If you feel that way for this man, don’t waste any more time. It can’t be brought back.” Seeing her tears made a few of mine fall.
“I’m so sorry about your husband.”
She laughed. “I expect lots of tears in our future. But let’s make them happy ones.”
“I like that idea.”
She stood. “I’m going to be late getting back to work, but promise me we’ll keep in contact. My apartment may be small, but there will always be a room for you if you need it.”
I got to my feet and accepted her tight hug. “Thank you so much.”
She pulled back, ran her fingers across my cheek, and whispered, “Ma petite fille.” My granddaughter. “Your mother might not have been able to love you the way she should have, but I always will.” She kissed each of my cheeks. “Je t’aime, Mila.”
A tear slipped down my cheek. “Je t’aime.”
Holding Ronan’s hand, I walked out of the restaurant and sucked in a deep breath, feeling lighter than I had in years.
I turned and hugged Ronan. “Thank you for doing that for me.”
“You’re welcome, kotyonok.” He tipped my chin up to see my eyes. “How did it go?”
“Well, we have a high chance of having psychopathic children, but other than that, great.”
He chuckled. “Good. They’ll have a better chance of surviving Kat.”
Realizing we were causing a traffic jam, I pulled away from him and started walking down the sidewalk, ignoring the car sitting at the curb.
“Where are you going?”
“Sightseeing. Then maybe shopping.” Happiness bloomed in my chest, and I did a cliché twirl. “Wherever Paris takes me.”
His eyes narrowed on the flare of my dress. “Better not take you to Barbès.”
I assumed that was an area with a bad reputation. And since Ronan had ignored me for eight hours, it was time for a little payback.
I paused and pursed my lips. “Barbès has a nice ring to it. Who knows, maybe I’ll end up there?” I shrugged with an impish smile and continued down the sidewalk.