her barely touching air-kiss for Alina with the loving embrace he’d received from Jean when they’d met. Didn’t feel the slightest guilt.
‘Good afternoon, Ethan. Is there something wrong?
His father was now seated in an armchair. There was no mention of that disastrous visit, nor the fact that there’d been no further contact until yesterday morning, when he’d phoned them. They’d never deign to make a conciliatory move, and he was only here for Alina’s sake.
He took the settee, placing a long envelope on the coffee table.
‘I have something to tell you prior to an official announcement. If you don’t approve, that’s hard luck. It’s a done deed.’
They both stiffened. He paused. This was for his sister, his friend. Their baby.
‘Alina and I were married yesterday evening.’
‘What?’ His father sprang up.
‘Sit down, Martin.’
Sophia’s curt tone had its effect. He obeyed, glaring at his son. She continued, her censure radiating through the air.
‘Is this some sort of warped joke because you took umbrage at our concerns over her background? I know application forms need to be lodged a month before, so...’
‘It was done. We had a quiet wedding, with friends as witnesses.’
His mother went rigid, unusually lost for words. It was his father who spoke.
‘Really, Ethan. We coped with immature dramas from your sister. Never expected any from you. You’ve always been practical and reasonable—’
‘Maybe too much so,’ Ethan cut in brusquely. ‘I lost precious time with Louise and Leon because you would not accept they were meant for each other. Time I’ll never get back now they’re gone.’
Dismissing the protests that erupted from both of them, he leant forward, balanced his elbows on his knees and clenched his hands together.
‘I love Alina.’ Not a lie. It wasn’t the same as being in love. How could he not love someone who’d given him the most priceless gift he’d ever have? ‘And anyone who upsets or disrespects her will be out of my life. I don’t give a damn what people think or say. Accept it or not—she’s my wife, my priority.’
He waited, quite prepared to walk out. The looks they exchanged didn’t faze him. He didn’t care what explanation they gave their social acquaintances for his hurried secret wedding. Their society image mattered only to them. Tragedy had taught him that there were far more important things in life.
His mother finally found her voice. ‘How are we supposed to explain this rushed event to our friends?’
All they cared about was how it would affect their image. He almost laughed out loud—couldn’t remember when he’d last heard genuine amusement from either of them. Alina had a quiet sense of humour, enjoyed quirky comedies, and encouraged him to see the fun in them too.
‘That’s not my concern.’ He flicked the envelope with his finger. ‘This is a copy of the notice that will be placed in the paper on Saturday, plus a list of friends and relatives whom I will inform later this week. I would prefer you to wait until then to tell anyone else. We’ll be away on our honeymoon until Sunday, so I’ll only be answering urgent calls.’
‘What about the Starburst chain?’ His father sounded shell shocked.
‘Under control.’
‘I see. As usual, you’ve covered everything.’
He wasn’t fooled by his mother’s resigned tone.
‘Will we see you when you return?’
He hesitated. Dared he trust them around Alina, especially as her pregnancy would soon be apparent?
‘That depends on your attitude. Our baby’s due in October.’
Ignoring their gasps and aggrieved expressions, he stood up.
‘I’m happier right now than I have ever been in my life, and thrilled that my wife is carrying my baby. Anyone who isn’t can just stay away.’
He said goodbye soon after, breathing a sigh of relief as he went through the gates. He ought to feel guilty for the subterfuge. Instead his head was filled with Alina—her beguiling smile, the way her violet eyes revealed her emotions. Her extraordinary courage.
My wife. The simple yet profound phrase kept repeating in his brain. As he drove, singing along off-key with the radio, he felt giddy and irrationally happy. He was going home to claim another long kiss, as sweet as the one they’d shared before he left.
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