The Unwanted Wife (Unwanted #1)(59)
“You and I will make our own lives, darling,” she promised. “And we’ll be so happy. Just you wait and see.”
CHAPTER TEN
Sandro had made good on his promise and had enlisted both Lisa and Phumsile’s aid in ensuring that Theresa took her vitamins and rested enough but that was the only promise he kept. A month passed with barely any word from him, and his phone calls, the few that came, were rushed and impersonal and barely lasted three minutes. When Theresa tried to contact him, he was never available, or so the cold female voices on the other end of the line told her. She had no choice but to take them at their word.
She kept track of Sandro’s movements through the news—online, televised, and printed. His father’s death and Sandro’s subsequent taking over of the family’s banking and investment empire were pretty hot news items and hardly a day went by that it wasn’t mentioned in some form of news. There had been paparazzi coverage of the funeral; despite the media ban the family had put on proceedings, some intrepid photographer had managed to get a picture of Sandro standing over his father’s open grave, his face closed up tighter than a fist, flanked by his mother and Francesca, who had stood beside him offering the support only a lover or a wife would offer. A lot had been written about that photograph, and a lot of cynical criticism had been aimed at his cold, absent wife, and a lot of praise given to the stoic Francesca who stood by him through thick and thin.
There was no mention about her difficult pregnancy that made travel nearly impossible for her. A few local reporters had contacted her, wanting her “side of the story” and her refusal to be interviewed or offer any comment had merely added fodder to fuel the rumor that she was unfeeling and cold. The media, when given free rein, were ruthless. For the most part they left her alone, content to write what they wanted, and in every article the beautiful, vivacious Francesca was lauded for her unwavering and loving support, while the “plain and antisocial” Theresa was criticized for her seeming neglect of her husband in his time of need.
She sighed quietly, as she stared out at the heavy downpour, missing Sandro so much it hurt and wishing that she could just talk with him. The baby moved restlessly, and she winced slightly as a tiny foot caught her just beneath the ribs. She sang a quiet lullaby and ran her hands over the mound of her stomach. She was feeling her burden more and more with each passing day.
“Theresa?” The quiet voice coming from behind her made her jump nearly out of her skin, and she yelped before turning to face Lisa and Rick, both of whom stood framed in the doorway of the den.
“God, you startled me,” she gasped as they stepped into the room, neither cracking a smile, both looking relentlessly grim. “What’s wrong? Has something happened?”
“Terri—we have to get you out of here,” Lisa said urgently, rounding the sofa to stand in front of her.
“What? Why?”
“We’ll explain once we’re out of here.”
“No.” She shook her head stubbornly. “Tell me now. Is it Sandro? Was he hurt?”
“He will be once I get through with him,” Rick threatened furiously.
“Rick, not now,” Lisa groaned, and Theresa’s eyes settled on the grim-faced man in confusion.
“I don’t understand.” Her confused gaze went from Lisa’s frantic expression to Rick’s furious one. “What’s going on?”
“A story just broke in the European newspapers.”
“What story?” she asked in bewilderment, and Rick swore softly.
“Sweetheart, we can discuss it later. For now, we have to leave before the vultures descend.”
“No, Rick,” she maintained stubbornly. “I’m not leaving my home without good reason.” Rick’s jaw clenched and his expression clearly gave away his frustration with her.
“Terri, they’re saying that Sandro was blackmailed into marrying you. That he did so for his father. They’re also saying that a source close to the family claims that since Sandro has no reason to be with you anymore, he’ll be filing for a divorce as soon as he gets back.”
“I never thought of that,” Theresa half whispered to herself. “Of course he’s free now. That’s probably why I never heard from him, he’s been busy planning this. I should have known that he would want that. I should have seen this coming.”
“Theresa, don’t you dare beat yourself up about it. If the divorce rumors are true, then he’s a bastard for abandoning his pregnant wife when she needs him most,” Rick fumed.
“No, I’m happy for him. He was trapped.” She was so dazed, she barely knew what she was saying, and Rick swore in disbelief.
“My God, it’s like you have battered-wife syndrome. Stop making excuses for him. He’s an ass who hurt you time and again.” When it looked like she was about to protest, Lisa stepped forward.
“Come on, darling, let’s get you packed up and out of here.” Her cousin took charge, grabbing hold of Theresa’s arm and jerking her out of her stupor. Lisa steered her out of the room, tossing a warning look over her shoulder when it looked like Rick wanted to say something more.
After getting settled at Rick and Lisa’s, Theresa decided to give the couple, who were walking on eggshells around her, a break from her presence by taking a nap. She was just slipping into a troubled doze when she heard the unmistakable voice of her husband coming from a distance. She frowned and sat upright, pushing her tangled hair out of her face. She tilted her head, not sure if her imagination was playing tricks on her, until she heard it again. It was Sandro, without a doubt, and he sounded agitated.