Dominic comes to about twenty minutes later, on the sofa. It’s like watching a sloth finally come to his senses after waking up.

I had wrapped up some ice in a washcloth from the bathroom and put it on his rapidly-swelling jaw to try to help, but it looks like Henry clocked him good.

I don’t feel sorry for Dominic, though.

After bringing Dominic into my room, out of the public’s eye, it had taken me nearly ten minutes to get my hysterics under control, and I only just managed to fix my eye makeup and change into a loose tank top and a pencil skirt before he woke up.

I sit on the chaise lounge, with my arms crossed, glaring at him as he blearily blinks at me.

“C—Cat?” he stammers. He groans and clutches at his head.

Good.

“Welcome back,” I tell him coolly. “And the only reason you’re still alive is because I told Henry to leave.”

Dominic squints at me, wincing as he sits up. “Is that the guy who—?”

“He’s one of the princes of Dubreva,” I say shortly, cutting him off. “He’s recovering from a horrible wreck a couple months ago. He’s the father of my baby. And I think I may be in love with him.”

I hadn’t meant to say that I love Henry out loud. It just came out, baring my heart to this man that isn’t Henry.

I can blame it on pregnancy hormones. Or I can blame it on my shock and temper at the sudden turn of events.

He can be such an arrogant bastard, and I know he was only defending me, but…

This is my problem to deal with.

“I’m sorry for what I said,” Dominic says softly. He grimaces, as if the very act of speaking is painful for him. “About calling you a—”

I shake my head. “It doesn’t matter.”

“But it does.” Dominic rubs at the sore spot on his jaw and chuckles mirthlessly. “Because even as I said it, I knew it wasn’t true. I know you, Cat. And I know what I said wasn’t true.”

“It hurt,” I admit, sitting back as I crossed my legs. “I know it all sounds so fucked up right now. Being pregnant after a one-night stand wasn’t what I would consider to be a dream of mine. But…” I allow a small smile through, “…it’s worked out between us so far.”

He frowns. “That is all that I ever wanted from you.”

“What?”

“That look you have on your face. You look happy. Like you’re in love.”

I nod in agreement, hugging my arms to my body. “I think I am.” It’s crazy, especially after such a short amount of time, but it’s true. I can feel it resonate deep within me.

He gives me a sad smile. “I wanted you to look at me like that.”

“I’m sorry.” And I mean it too.

He shakes his head. “No need to be. I’m sorry as well.”

I don’t say that I accept it, because it still hurts.

He smooths his hair with a long sigh. “Well, this is kind of embarrassing. Here I thought I was coming to Dubreva to win you back, and you had already fallen for someone.”

“Two months before you,” I tell him wryly. “And, to be fair, I had broken up with you before I came here.”

“Yes, but I was hoping for my grand gesture to win you back.” He sighs and gets to his feet. “I guess I’ll be heading back to New York now. With my tail between my legs.”

I raise an eyebrow, confused. “So soon? But you just got here.”

He shrugs. “There’s nothing for me here now.”

“Well, I know a few good places you can eat before you go. And it would be a shame if you didn’t stick around for a little. Dubreva really is a beautiful place, even if your first few hours here haven’t been very red letter.”

Dominic gives a derisive snort but immediately regrets it as he winces at the movement.

I tell him about the café that Jessica took me to on my first morning here and the Chinese restaurant Henry and I ate at the night before. Of course, I didn’t tell him about it in that context, only that he should stop by there. I mention Julie’s Peak. And all of the beautiful beaches I went to with Jessica my first time here.

Recounting my memories and my adventures here cements it in my mind—this place is going to be my home. And I’m excited for it, excited to be a part of such a wonderful, beautiful place. Working with Jessica to get her business off the ground.

I am going to raise my child in Dubreva. And I’m thrilled.

Dominic leaves soon after. This parting is even more awkward than when I broke up with him the first time.

He turns to me as he leaves, “Cat, if there’s a chance for me, you’ll let me know, okay?”

“Uh, I’m pretty sure there is a no chance,” I tell him sweetly. “Dominic, you’ll make someone very happy one day, but she’s not me.”

Before he can say anything else, I shut the door, locking it behind him and I take a deep breath.

I have to fix things with Henry now.

I head over to my phone on one of the side tables in the lounge. I pass by the tulips that Dominic had brought for me. They are beautiful flowers, but every time I see them, I get angry.

Better to throw them out, then. To get rid of everything that’s tying me to Dominic.

After all, I’m Henry’s now.

I dump them into the trash without ceremony.

* * *

Henry doesn’t answer his phone when I call.

A sense of dread fills me, and I bite my bottom lip to keep from crying. I have to tell him that it’s all right, that I love him. Seeing Dominic today, like a beacon of the Catherine Collins I used to be, shows where I’ve come from and where I’m headed.

I want to go there with Henry.

If only he’d pick up his damn phone.

I try again. And again, no answer.

Don’t panic, I tell myself. Maybe he can’t get to his phone at the moment, but then I wonder why he can’t.

And the worry starts to hit me and I can’t handle that.

I call the only other person whose phone number I have who can help me. I dial Jessica.

Thankfully, she picks up on the first ring.

“This is Jessica Croft,” she says carefully.

“Hey, Jessica, this is Cat.” I cover my eyes with my hand, nearly sobbing with relief.

“What’s wrong, Cat?” she asks, immediately on alert.

“Are you at the palace? Is Henry with you?”

“We’re at the palace, yes,” Jessica says. “But I haven’t seen Henry all day. That doesn’t mean that he’s not here, but…I thought he had a date with you?

He’s not there. I can feel it in my gut, and the realization tips me over the edge. I really do start crying into the phone, whimpering. “It’s all ruined.”

“What is?”

“Me and Henry. We were supposed to go on a date, but then Dominic shows up, and…” My voice trails off and I can’t speak past the lump that’s forming in my throat.

“Cat, calm down, and tell me,” Jessica says in a stern voice. It’s the kind of voice she uses to command those at work.

“I asked him to leave,” I say simply. “And now I can’t find him, and I’m worried and…”

“You asked Henry to leave?” she repeats, not following my frantic story.

“Yes. And it’s all ruined and it’s my fault.”

“No, it’s not ruined,” Jessica says emphatically. I hear movement on the other end of the phone. “What?” Jessica asks, her voice sounding far away, like she’s talking to someone else. “Hold on,” she tells the other person, and she’s back talking to me. “Hey, Cat? Phillip wants to talk to you.”

I hesitate. I’ve actually never spoken with Phillip one-on-one before. I think I’ve said hi once or twice. But that’s it.

“Hey, Catherine,” his warm voice fills the speaker. “Are you trying to find Henry?”

“Yes.”

“I know that he went over to his family’s house this morning,” Phillip says. “Eric mentioned that he’d texted asking if we still own it.”

“Do you?” Stupid question to ask.

“What?” He sounds confused at my question. “Of course we still own it, it’s a part of the family. And I think he went there. You might want to check there. I don’t know where else he’d go right now.”

I sigh tiredly, thinking about it. Why would he go back to where he grew up this morning? Was it because of the conversation we had yesterday about his past? Or something else?

“How do I get there?” I ask.

I hear the smile in his voice. “I’ll have my valet come get you and drop you off. Ferdinand’s there. He’ll take care of you.”