Netta finishedwork and left her studio just after five. She had rented the small room in the local town, a few minutes from Alex’s place in Vermont so she could stay with him and keep him steady.
The night was dark and cold, and she was glad when she arrived home. No lights were on, which she found strange.
Pushing open the front door, she called out for Alex and got no reply. She walked through the dark house calling for him, but found no answer. She could see the light on in the drawing room at the end of the corridor and walked towards it, but as she pushed the door open and saw what was inside, she gasped in horror— just as a hand with a cloth soaked in chemicals was clamped over her nose and mouth.
Just before she passed out, she finally realized the truth about Alex …
Shiloh had returnedto Africa and to her work, but she knew her heart lay in Paris with Benoit. Regretfully, she gave notice and headed back to France, eager to start their life together. Benoit was overjoyed. Their daughter was growing and healthy, and he found himself preoccupied with his new life. He began to make changes at work, inspired by Shiloh’s passion for environmentalism, and although his colleagues chafed a little, they soon discovered that their work and social responsibility could work to their advantage.
Everything was working out great. There was just one loose end as far as Benoit was concerned. Marcella.
Since everything had happened, he could not stop thinking about that night when Shiloh had left and he had turned to Marcella. The guilt he felt over how he had treated both women was eating him alive—and there was the fear that Marcella, out of jealousy, could still tell Shiloh what had happened.
He called Marcella, and she invited him to coffee at her place. Benoit wondered at the sense of going to her place but accepted anyway.
Marcella opened the door to him, and to his relief, her smile was friendly but not malicious. “It’s good to see you, Benoit.”
“You look stunning, Marcella.” She was wearing a dark red dress, her brown hair gathered in an elegant chignon. She inclined her head.
“As do you. Please, come in.”
She made them both coffee, a rich, dark blend, and they chatted idly before Marcella met his gaze. “And how is your lovely Shiloh?”
“She is very well, thanks.”
“And the baby?”
Benoit nodded warily. “Good, um, as far as the scan says, anyway.”
“Do you have it with you?”
He hesitated, his eyes wary. “Really? You want to see it?”
She nodded encouragingly, and he shyly brought his wallet out. He passed the scan to her, watching her face as she took it. She swallowed, then gave a little laugh.
“Okay, well, you’re going to have to show me what end is what.”
He laughed too then and pointed out the fetus, an amorphous thing at the corner of the scan.
Marcella saw his expression change, a sort of awe in his voice. The realization at once made her sad for herself and happy for him.
“It’s a she,” Benoit said, and she saw the love in his eyes.
“You want this child, don’t you?” she asked softly. He nodded, smiling sheepishly.
“I do … I didn’t at first, but then, God, seeing this. That’s my little girl in there.” Bewildered joy. She felt tears pricking her eyes, and he frowned. “I’m sorry.”
She shook her head. “No, don’t be, these are happy tears. I’m honestly happy for you, Benoit.” She looked at the photo again, traced the outline of the fetus. “You’ll be a great father, the very best. I can’t say I’m not a little surprised by the turn of events, but I really do congratulate you. You found her. You found the one.”
“Like you told me to,” he said gently, and she nodded.
“I did. And I’m sorry about before, Benoit. I admit I was jealous. Very jealous.” She laughed softly. “I had thought our arrangement would carry on forever. But it was not to be. I really do wish you and Shiloh a very happy life. And don’t worry—our little …meeting… will never be mentioned by me again.”
Benoit walked backto his office slowly. Despite his gratitude at Marcella’s words, he still felt uneasy. He tried to pin down why; Shiloh was back in Paris and healthy; they were happy and living together was working out; the baby was good … so why did he feel like something bad was about to happen?
Shiloh noticed his strange mood when he came home from work and at first he avoided her questions, but then asked her to sit with him. Marcella’s promise to keep their assignation a secret was good—but he could not start his new life with Shiloh with a lie.
Haltingly, he told her about the night she had left for Africa, how he had gone to Marcella just to talk but had, in fact, slept with her. Shiloh listened, her face pale. After he finished, he studied her reaction.
