She holds his gaze, shivering.
Let's skip this detail Emma since it's not Sharon I want with me to end my life.
His breathing became jerky.
What you say is completely absurd! You'd be willing to marry a total stranger for the sole purpose of ensuring a flawless future, because you actually see me as a...
Do not go after your thoughts Emma, they are ridiculous. He suddenly whispered menacingly.
On the contrary, I see a completely desperate man who is looking for a woman capable of fulfilling a role that will put an end to the rumors about your family.
Emma didn't blink, on the contrary, even if her steely gaze slowly lowered to hers.
"I told you Emma, if I was mad or desperate, I would marry Sharon."
Mouth parted, fingers burning, she tried in vain to counter him.
Damn it ! How long have you been thinking about such an idea? she asked, taking care to whisper away from prying ears.
He smiles tenderly.
'Since I saw you just now leaning against the tree.
So it's a completely thoughtless idea! She affirmed, trying in vain to make him let go of this idea which in any case put her up against the wall.
"Not in the least, Miss Brok.
I am pregnant ! she exclaimed as a last resort.
He looked down at his stomach, eyebrow raised.
Thank you, I noticed that and I will take care of your child as if it were my own.
At his words, Emma pulled back, tearing herself from his grip.
She stared at him, fighting back the tears of despair that were about to flow. He was so serious and determined that she thought she would faint.
The...the problem is that it's...
"Azzario?" Dear ? I was looking for you everywhere!
Sharon entered into their privacy and cut her off from telling her the truth.
Was it a sign of fate?
Or bad luck?
Emma smoothed her dress tearing away from his gaze and went through the crowd to go outside. She had to regain her air at all costs.
She put her hand on her forehead as she gazed at the shadow of her reflection in the pool water.
"Emma?"
She jumped and looked up at Sergio.
Are you OK ?
Emma found the strength to smile as her eyes fluttered to the erratic rhythm of her heart.
"Yes... yes I yes...
He approached her, looking worried.
For a brief moment, she could hear the sound of a stream caused by the wind.
Emma look at me please.
She quickly complied, turning her head towards him.
"Does your baby have anything to do with Azzario Dantes?"
"Wha...what, where did you get that?" She stammered, feigning surprise.
He sighed sadly.
When a man as powerful and beautiful is interested in you, you do not seek to flee mia bella.
Emma shook her head.
"I'm not running away from him, I...
"Emma," he cut in, looking her straight in the eye. Every time he looks at your stomach, you start fluttering your eyelashes like a butterfly whose wings have been ripped off...
Emma shivered and gave him a desperate look.
Emma tell me what is it? He insisted, putting his hands on her shoulders.
She inhaled painfully, checking that no one would be likely to hear them.
The laboratory made a mistake, the doctor made a mistake. She whispered hoping that this simple sentence could be enough for him to understand.
He closed his eyes for a split second.
Dios mio....Emma.
He took her in his arms to comfort her.
Emma refused to crack.
We'll talk at your place, let's say goodbye.
She followed him inside the Palazzo, her legs shaking. Oddly enough, she felt relieved to have been able to tell someone. She felt like she was less locked into this heavy, weighty secret. When she found herself face to face with him again, Emma couldn't look him in the eye. What he had told her about his baby who was actually his had upset him. She had the impression of snatching from him what he no longer believed possible. Sergio slipped slowly towards the entrance after thanking him for his invitation. Emma found herself again alone and vulnerable in front of this formidable Italian.
Thank you very much for the evening Mr. Dantes.
Azzario walked over to her and gazed into hers. Unfortunately, he saw only the flash of fear.
"Sergio coming with you?" he asked, managing to control his growing anger.
"Yes, I came with him.
He just nodded vaguely and turned to grab the package.
It's for you...
She took it hesitantly.
"Mr. Dantes shouldn't have been."
It's a Christmas present, I hope you like it.
In the shadow of a courteous smile, she looked at him, her cheeks flushed.
Merry Christmas Emma.
When she looked up into his striking eyes, Azzario was shocked.
"Merry Christmas Mr. Dantes."
When she rolled over completely, he grabbed her elbow to hold her back.
"Know that I don't let go of Miss Brok so easily...
Instead of waiting for her response, Azzario stalked out of the hall, hoping that little comment would help him think.
When Emma left the Palazzo with Sergio, she had started telling him the whole story down to the smallest detail.
From the announcement of her pregnancy to the error of the doctor through the troubling proposal of D'Azzario Dantes.
She had talked so much that her throat was completely dry.
"Emma, you have two choices...
Which ?
Be it, you tell him now and you take the risk that he thinks you are lying and then you will have to fight to prove to him that it is the truth or else you run away with your baby until that he finds you and that he realizes how wrong he was about you, or else...
Emma turned pale.
Or else you marry him and when he sees that you are the most marvelous woman in the world and that he will undoubtedly fall in love with you, you confess to him that he is the father of your child.
He marked a moment of silence in which Emma took her head in her hands.
With this marriage, you will be able to see how he behaves with you and your pregnancy, see if he is a caring man and if he is worth it that you tell him the truth.
Oh damn Sergio if you weren't driving I'd strangle you!
Do you realize that the most powerful and influential man in Italy asked you to become his wife while you are carrying, without his knowing it, his child! Damn, Emma, throw yourself into the void! Re teach this man what happiness is! he growled gently.
"How about I write him a nice letter?" She offered after laying out many other possibilities.
Sergio stopped cleaning his camera and raised an eyebrow.
Well, yes, that's an idea....
Emma had been pacing her apartment for almost a good half hour.
You do not help me much Sergio!
Of course I help you mia bella, I gave you many choices two days ago.
Emma ran her hands through her hair and brushed it back and held the back of her neck.
She was definitely finished, she thought, looking at the gift box on the cabinet, in which lay a beautiful little bodysuit.
And then I'm not at fault! She exclaimed on the verge of explosion.
You have a point...
She let out a nervous laugh, shaking her head vigorously.
"I didn't ask to carry his child!" I just wanted to have a child! Do you understand the difference? She asked looking at Sergio with cheeks burning with anger.
Yes, I understand and then it's true that you could have kept the secret and never enter his home.
Exactly ! She affirmed, pointing her finger at him to support her statement.
Then she resumed walking in front of him.
I could keep quiet and act as if nothing had happened, but I'm a woman too emotional! I take things too seriously! If I had known, I would have stayed quietly at home!
She clenched her fists against her hips.
"Yes, and a few years later, Azzario Dantes would no doubt have wanted to use his wisely preserved sample, and when he would have discovered that it no longer existed, he would no doubt have tracked you down until he found you.
Emma widened her eyes.
Imagine for a second playing with your child and him who is pounding on your door and demanding to see his only child.
Emma felt nauseous at the thought of this happening.
My God Sergio you scare me!
"Mia bella calm down, I'm just trying to make you open your beautiful blue eyes!
She plopped down on her sofa, touching her stomach with a grimace of pain.
"Why don't you tell him you want to get to know him?" he asked as he put his work gear on his coffee table.
But I ... I do not even understand why he imagines that I can marry him!
Sergio heaved a long sigh.
This man is too smart and upright to have said that without thinking Emma, you must have something that attracts him because believe me, many candidates are jostling to become Mrs. Dantes, from Italy to New York. All he has to do is open a catalog and choose, and he wants you!
She rubbed her shoulders as she saw his beautiful face leaning towards her, and the warmth of his breath against her face. And this hand leaning on her back, causing her little shivers.
"You should tell him that you want to get to know him, and from there, by dint of being with him, you will eventually tell him the truth.
He paused to come and sit next to her.
And then you have everything on your side.
She frowned.
How so ?
'Even if, assuming he thinks you're lying to him, the doctor, the disappearance of his sample, your meeting in front of his property, everything coincides. He will eventually realize that you were sincere and have been since the beginning.
Sergio was right, Emma couldn't deny it. She had enough evidence to prove to him that she was not a liar.
"I want the best for my baby Sergio. She whispered, wiping away a tear that rolled down her cheek.
I say...
Emma looked up at the gift box and immediately her heart sank.
You're right, I should tell him that I want to get to know him, and then see where all this will lead.
After all, what was she risking?
He obviously wasn't about to forget her.
Hadn't she received a dozen calls in the last two days?
When she heard his voice on Boxing Day, panicked, she hung up on him. Then there had been a succession of calls which she had not answered.
At the end of his thoughts, the phone began to ring.
They stood still, before Sergio encouraged him to pick up.
Emma took a deep breath and picked up the phone.
Hello ?
She hoped it wasn't him.
Miss Brok what a pleasant surprise to hear you ... finally! He stated dryly with a note of moderate astonishment.
She was about to say something before he cut her off with a loud breath.
"I was this close to coming to your house to find out if you weren't dead."
Really ? It's funny that you didn't do it sooner.
I had to go to Russia for business, I came back in the night, I was waiting to know if you were going to answer this phone call before making the decision to come to your house Emma. He explains in the same raspy voice.
Emma cleared her throat, turning her head in the direction of Sergio, who was pretending to clean his camera.
"What do you want Mr. Dantes?"
See you as soon as possible, today if possible.
She had to take this opportunity to talk to him, and set things straight.
Very well, where do you want us to see you sir?
She had to content herself with silence for any response. Emma frowned.
"Are you still there?"
Of course I'm here! The latter answered as if he had just come out of a heavy torpor. Come to my office, I'll give you the address.
Emma marked the address with a shaky hand, then hung up. She lingered for a moment on the memories of this man and their last conversation before finding the strength to get up.