Chapter Forty-seven

As her mother turned to place Robby into her arms, Sylvia’s heart fell to the snowy, frozen ground. The six-month-old’s whine faded, turning to hiccups as he clung to Sylvia. Ruth leaned forward to hug her.

‘Take the job,’ her mother whispered in her ear, then turned to Xavier and said brightly, ‘I hope to see you again soon, Mr. Regulus!’

Sylvia heard the dull thunk of the door as her mother went back inside. Then she was alone with Xavier; their baby in her arms.

Xavier’s dark eyes went to the child, then back to her. The sound of his tightly coiled voice reverberated in the cold air. ‘This is your son?’

She held her baby close, loving the solid, chubby feel of him in her arms. Tears stung her eyes as she looked down at Robby. ‘Yes.’

‘How old is he?’

‘Six months,’ she said in a small voice.

Xavier’s eyes narrowed. ‘So tell me.’ His voice was deadly and still as a winter’s night. ‘Who is the father of your baby?’

She’d wished so many times to be able to tell Xavier the truth, dreamed