He knew what his response must be.

‘Yes,’ he said, nodding slowly for emphasis. ‘I will support you and our child. But in return I want you to marry me.’

* * *

The comb holding Alessandra’s hair in place had been digging into her scalp all day, a minor irritation that suddenly felt magnified enough for her to yank it out. She got to her feet, swiping fallen hair off her face.

For a moment she couldn’t speak, her brain struggling to find the English she’d spoken like a native since early childhood. ‘I know this is a shock for you. I know, okay? But marriage?’

‘Yes, marriage.’

She shook her head, trying her hardest not to let panic set in. ‘Please, don’t say anything you’ll regret in the morning when you look at the situation with fresh eyes.’

morning won’t change the situation. You’ll

won’t

This is the obvious solution. Marriage will give legitimacy to our

no stigma

with an emotion she didn’t understand. ‘Children need and deserve two parents. You

to her. He’d abandoned her almost from her first breath. By the time of her first birthday, he’d gambled and drunk away

she’d hoped for was public support for her and their child, and even that

Christian flitting in and out when it suited him. She’d even prepared her

be realistic. Marriage

of us wants,’ he finished for her,

together, the night their baby had been conceived. Fools had been just one

neither of us

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