Her Shameful Secret by Susanna Carr

followed him to a door that led out to the magnificent garden. It was as large as a public park, artfully designed with statues and fountains. The lush green lawn was beautifully maintained, and contrasted against the crimson and gold leaves on the large, solid trees.
    She shouldn’t be doing this, Isabella thought as she walked alongside Antonio. She was obediently following him just to be with him. Her chest tightened as she realized this was the last time they would be alone together. Instead of getting closer, she needed to start creating distance.
    “You don’t need to pretend, Antonio,” she said. “I understood what your mother told you.”
    “I know,” he said with a hint of a smile. “But I didn’t want to have this conversation in front of her.”
    “There’s nothing to talk about. I thought about stayinghere in Rome, so my child would know his family and his heritage, but I think it’s best for me to return to Los Angeles and finish my college degree.”
    “You can always finish your degree here.”
    She shook her head. “My Italian isn’t good enough.”
    “Those are obstacles we can easily overcome. Tell me what you need and I’ll make it happen.”
    Isabella stared at the pale stonework under her feet. No one had offered that kind of support for her while she’d pursued her education. She had done it all on her own. She was proud of her accomplishments, but she’d love to share her future ups and downs with Antonio. Have someone at her side during the journey.
    But she couldn’t rely on him. If she accepted his help he would expect something in return. Something like allegiance and obedience when it came to matters concerning the Rossi fortune.
    “I appreciate the offer,” she said woodenly. “I really do. But—”
    “What is the real reason you’re leaving Rome?” he interrupted. “It’s not because you want to continue your education. The academic year has already started and you can’t re-enrol for another couple of months. So what is the urgency?”
    “Once I make a decision I act immediately.”
    “No, that’s not it.” He dismissed her answer with the flick of his hand. “You’re leaving because of me.”
    “You are so—” She stopped herself. What did it matter if he knew how she felt? “Okay, fine. Yes , Antonio. It’s best for me to leave Rome because of you . You think I cheated on you. I gave you no reason to be jealous, and there is no evidence that I cheated, but you’re determined to believe the worst about me.”
    He took a deep breath. “I regret letting Giovanni get between us.”
    Isabella stopped walking and closed her eyes as old pain washed over her. “But you believed him. You still believe him.”
    Antonio took a step closer. “If I could do it all over again I would do it differently,” he said softly. “I should have confronted you. I should have told you about the history between Gio and me. I regret allowing his accusations to ruin what we had.”
    Isabella noticed he no longer called it Gio’s confession . She wondered if she was investing too much significance in Antonio’s word choice. She opened her eyes and turned to him. “Do you believe me? That I was faithful?”
    She saw the struggle in his eyes before he answered. “I want to,” he answered slowly. “I’m trying to believe it.”
    But he couldn’t. Disappointment welled up inside her. “Why can’t you? What is it about me that makes it so hard to believe?”
    He shook his head and tossed his hands up in frustration. “I don’t know.”
    Isabella pressed her lips together as she considered a few possibilities. “Is it because I wasn’t a virgin when I met you?”
    “No!” Antonio looked surprised by the suggestion.
    She squinted as she watched his face. “Or because we fell into bed the day we met?”
    “No …”
    She heard the moment’s hesitation. “Don’t you dare .” She pressed her finger against his chest. “Don’t tarnish that memory.”
    “I’m