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think about her.”
     
    She waved a hand. “You’ll get over it once the shock wears off. By the time you’re back in Rio, you won’t even remember her.”
     
    “I’m not going back to Brazil.”
     
    Molly blinked. “I see. Why not?”
     
    “I’d already decided to stay when Mamma had her stroke. Now, I have another reason to stay too.”
     
    She shook her head. “No.”
     
    He frowned. “What do you mean, no?”
     
    “There’s no place for you in her life.”
     
    He scowled. “I suppose your boyfriend fills that slot?”
     
    She shrugged. “He adores her, and she loves him.”
     
    Aronne got to his feet, pacing. “Did it ever occur to you that married women shouldn’t have boyfriends?”
     
    “It never crossed my mind, since it’s okay for married men to have girlfriends. I suppose lovers or mistresses would be a better word for your companions though.”
     
    A flush crept up his neck. “What’re you talking about?”
     
    “I didn’t follow the gossip mags closely, or keep track of your conquests, but I know you haven’t been celibate, hubby. There was that same Brazilian model you were dating before Margot and Cristiano got engaged. I don’t remember who followed, but there was a parade.” Molly lifted a shoulder. “So, no, I didn’t think there was any reason not to date.”
     
    He stopped his pacing in front of her. Molly forced herself to remain expressionless when he gripped the arms of her chair and leaned over her. “You are my wife. That is reason enough.”
     
    She laughed. “You’re such a hypocrite, Aronne. You left me on our wedding day. There was another woman in your bed within weeks, and you had no intention of ever coming back, except if required for the divorce proceedings. How typically Italian-male of you.” Molly scoffed. “And you once claimed to eschew those double standards.”
     
    His face tightened with her words. “Are you finished?”
     
    “Sure.” It gave her a small surge of pleasure to see his mingled anger and discomfort, and she tried to squash it. The last thing she wanted was any emotional reaction to him. It was easier, and safer, to remain neutral to his presence.
     
    “Perhaps we’ve both made mistakes.”
     
    “How generous of you.”
     
    He glowered. “I am willing to overlook this boyfriend for the sake of Cara.”
     
    Molly frowned. “What does she have to do with Carter?”
     
    His eyes narrowed. “Did you name my daughter for your lover?”
     
    “No. I didn’t even know Carter when I was giving birth to Cara. Alone.” She bit down on her tongue to avoid saying anything else. Nor did she want to divulge the brainless sentimentality that had led her to name their daughter after the only term of affection he’d ever used. To this day, she blamed it on a combination of the endorphins, oxytocin, and plain old stupidity.
     
    “Very well. I believe you.”
     
    She rolled her eyes. “I am just so relieved by that.”
     
    He frowned. “Why are you like this? What happened to the sweet girl you used to be?”
     
    Molly’s eyes widened, and she couldn’t hold back a small laugh. “I guess she grew up. Responsibility tends to do that to a person.” She ran a hand through her hair. “Look, I’m tired, it’s been a long day, and I wish you’d just get to the point.”
     
    “I want Cara.”
     
    Stunned, she stared up at him, her mouth agape. The sincerity in his eyes sent a shiver down her spine. “That’s too bad.”
     
    “I will have her. She is my daughter. A DNA test will confirm that, and then you’ll be forced to share custody.”
     
    Molly swallowed, refusing to be visibly intimidated. “I think it’s too little, too late for you. No court will give you custody.”
     
    “Maybe not at first, but there will be day visitations, and eventually overnight, followed by weekends, vacations, and ultimately joint custody.” He lowered his voice a bit. “After that, my goal will be full custody, and I