Taken (19 page)

             
If all this turns out to be true and Michelle is pregnant with Liam's child, then where does that leave me? The pathetic lovesick outsider that will be forced to sit back and watch my life slip between my fingers, unable to hold on, no matter how hard I try?

             
With all the other emotions, I feel a sense of relief finding it's way in through the darkness. If this is the real reason, then maybe Liam does still want me. Maybe this truly had nothing to do with me and he was trying to save me from the pain of watching him have a child with another woman.

             
I am still fighting to maintain control as Kristina pulls up outside
Bella Vita
. She puts the car in park and waves off the valet who makes his way to her door. She doesn't say anything, doesn't push me to go forward. She just simply waits. Giving me the time I need, the strength I need, to do this.

             
I know I need to get out of the car but I can't bring myself to do it. I can't walk through those doors knowing it may be the last time I ever do. I want to hold on to the hope that this will turn out okay.

             
As long as I sit here, at least I have that. A shred of hope, no matter how small. Hope for the future. Hope that Liam still wants me. Hope that all of this is just some bad dream that I can't seem to wake up from.

             
But then I see her. Out of the corner of my eye I catch her long auburn curls blowing in the breeze. Michelle. She walks to the valet and hands him her ticket. She doesn't see us and as much as I want to get out and confront her, I can't make myself move. I just sit there and watch as she climbs into her car.

             
Realization sinks in. Her being here can only mean one thing. I feel the last thread snap and a feeling of hopelessness washes over me. I open the car door and set my eyes forward. I take a deep breath and muster every bit of strength that I have before entering
Bella Vita
. This is the moment that will define the rest of my life. This one moment, could change everything.