While waiting in the living room, absorbed in her thoughts, Phoebe heard Lorenzo entering the apartment. She listened while he was exchanging a few words with his manservant, no doubt learning that she was there, waiting patiently to see him.          Having come over to his apartment the instant she finished work Phoebe had been awaiting his return for almost two hours. She decided to stay calm and not kill him in the first ten minutes. Just for the sake of the game, she wanted to hear his pathetic excuses. The more inconsistencies she recalled in Lorenzo's past behavior, the more she understood who he really was.          Lorenzo strode into the living room, his lean, strong face grim, blue-icy eyes flat and unfathomable. He emanated stress and tension like a forcefield.“Hello, Lory! Did you have a good trip?

          Their corner of the quiet, exclusive restaurant was peaceful and empty. It was as if an exclusion zone had been set around their table. There didn't seem to be any other diners.          Phoebe lifted her glass of wine. Lorenzo looked at her like she was about to bomb something. Then he reached across the table and literally snatched the glass right out of her hand.“You can't have that!”          She gazed back at him in total bewilderment.“The master spoke again… And why not?”“Because you're pregnant. It's safest to stay off alcohol. Don't you know that?” Lorenzo demanded.“Was it something I supposed to know?”“You're a woman…”“So?”“Well… you're supposed to know about this sort of stuff,&rdqu

“What is this ‘someone like me’ stuff? What are you trying to say?” Lorenzo asked.  “It means that I’m no high-society material. I’ve always been picked upon for being an illegitimate child. It was something everybody knew about me and it made my life a living hell until I grew enough to defend myself. But just so you’d know, I didn’t accept to be your wife for your money or for being saved, Lorenzo. Please believe that,” Phoebe replied putting her hand on his.“No damn wonder you find it so hard to lean on me.”“Lorenzo, most people I've tried to lean on in life fell over like pieces of a domino. The next second they chose to leave me behind or forget about me,” Phoebe said with a bitter laugh, wishing she hadn't mentioned her childhood.‘But I won't fell down or leave you alone,” Lorenzo intoned very seriously. “You have to learn to trust me,

“This is not the way I wanted the world to discover about our child,” Lorenzo commented trying to keep some restraint.“No...” Phoebe agreed, trembling.“You should’ve told me everything about your past. I might have been able to protect you… us better.”          Hearing his tone filled with disappointment, Phoebe flinched. None of what was in that newspaper was her fault. There was some truth in the article, but also a lot of lies and exaggerations. His gaze was judgmental.“For starters, I had no idea that you and your mother were treated like pariahs. Another thing you didn’t mention.”“Lorenzo, my mother was an unmarried woman and all her rich friends started treating her even worse once her father lost their fortune.”          Remembering those moments, what her mother

          Sunny’s anxious face lit up with a hugely relieved smile the instant she saw Phoebe walking across the park towards her. She looked at Phoebe and her sad eyes and pale expression broke her heart. Damned Mia did a great number on Phoebe.“Thank goodness you didn't stand me up!” she gasped as she flew off the bench. “Come on, you’re coming to stay with us for as long as you want.”          Phoebe dug her hands into the pockets of her jacket and avoid looking her in the eyes. She had cried a lot those past few days and didn’t want Sunny to worry or to tell that to George.  “I can’t, Sunny. Don’t worry, I’m staying in a nice place.”“Phee… I want to help you. This is why I invited you here,” Sunny said squeezing her hand.“I’m ok, really. Or I&rs