I felt the warmth of his hand as it crept onto my waist, the first time he had taken the initiative to be affectionate towards me. He pressed closer, nuzzling my neck as he tried to mend our relationship. It was as if he were trying to reignite the passion that had dwindled between us.
But I ignored his advances, turning away and closing my eyes. He leaned closer, whispering sweetly in my ear, "Nothing happened between us, sweetheart. It was purely science. We didn't even touch each other during the process."
"Does it have to be you?" I asked, trying to stay calm. "Couldn’t someone else do it?"
"It had to be me," he sighed. "But once the baby’s born, I won’t have anything more to do with her. You understand, right?"
My silence must have seemed like acceptance because he moved closer, trying to be intimate. I pushed his hand away, harder this time.
"What more do you want, Veronica?" he snapped. "This alliance is important! If this is what it takes for security between the families, then I’ll make the sacrifice. Why can’t you understand that?"