So was that it? Everything she had been through, that they had been through, had been for this? For him to pay her off. Just like her father had done with his ostentatious but impersonal presents.
Anger pounded through her. And, just like those presents, giving her this house and an allowance were for his benefit, not hers. He was offering them as a means to assuage his conscience and rectify the mistake he clearly believed he’d made by getting her pregnant.
‘I don’t want your house or your money,’ she said stiffly.
He frowned. ‘Please don’t waste my time, or yours, making meaningless remarks like that. You’re going to need—’
She shook her head. ‘No, you don’t get to offer me money. Aside from my salary, I’ve never asked for or expected any money from you, and nothing’s changed.’
His eyes narrowed. ‘Give it time.’
She felt sick—a sickness that was worse than anything she’d felt in those early months of pregnancy. For that nausea had been caused by the child growing inside her, a child she loved without question, even when she felt scared and alone.
Now, though, she felt sick at her own stupidity.
Ignoring all her instincts, she had let herself have hope, let herself trust him. Not just trust him—but love him too.
And here was the proof that she’d been wrong all along.
Ram was just like her father, for when it came to sacrificing himself for his family he couldn’t do it.
He was weak and selfish and he was not fit to be a father to her child.
Wide-eyed, suddenly breathless with anger, Nola stepped forward, her fingers curling into fists.
‘Get out! You can keep your stupid financial settlements and your paperwork. As of this moment I never want to see or speak to you again, Ramsay Walker. Now, get out!’
He stared at her in silence, then, tossing the house keys onto one of the tables, he turned and walked swiftly across the room.
The door slammed and moments later she heard his car start, the engine roaring in the silence of the night and then swiftly fading away until the only sound was her ragged breathing.
It was then that she realised she was still wearing his ring. Unclenching her fingers, she gazed down at the sapphire, thinking how beautiful it was, and yet how sad.
And then her legs seemed to give way beneath her and, sliding down against the wall, she began to sob.
CHAPTER TEN
FINALLY IT WAS time to stop crying.
Forcing herself to stand up, Nola walked into the kitchen and splashed her face with cold water. Her mascara had run, and she wiped it carefully away with her fingertips. But as she tried to steady her breathing she knew it would be a long time—and take a lot more than water—to wash away Ram’s words or that look on his face.
Her chest tightened, and suddenly the floor seemed to be moving. She gripped the edge of the sink.
Ram giving up like that had been so shocking—brutal, and cruel.
Like a bomb exploding.
And she still didn’t really understand what had happened to make him change his mind—not just about the engagement but about everything. For her, cocooned in her newly realised love, it had begun to feel as though finally there was a future for them.
She felt anger scrape over her skin.
But what use was love to a man like Ram?
A man who measured his feelings in monthly maintenance payments?
Steadying herself, she lifted her shoulders. She wasn’t going to fall apart. For what had she really lost?
Even before she’d thrown him out she had felt as though the Ram she loved had already left. He’d been so remote, so cold, so ruthless. Changing his mind, her life, her future and their child’s future without batting an eyelid, then offering her money as some kind of consolation prize.