30 Days Until He Loses Me by Aaren Collins novel Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Five years later. France.

“Mommy, are we going back to Portland? That’s where you’re from, right?”

In her little princess–style dress, Abigail Delgado tilted her head up, her voice soft and childish, as a slender, stunning woman held her hand and walked toward the boarding gate.

“Abby, why do I feel like you’re not the least bit sad about leaving me?”

The man who spoke pulled Abigail into his arms and pressed a kiss to her chubby cheek.

“Daddy, you’re so clingy to Mommy. I know you’ll come see her in like two days. I’m not gonna miss you,” Abigail snorted and reached out for her mother, demanding a hug.

Gideon Logan gently pinched her cheek. “You’re a big girl now. You can’t always have Felicia carry you. Be good, and make sure she calls me on time, OK?”

“OK, Daddy. Mission accepted!” Abigail promised solemnly, raising a tiny fist.

Felicia took Abigail from Gideon. She shook her head with a helpless smile.

“Mr. Logan, I can’t thank you enough. Without you, I never would’ve found a match for Abby.”

“Hey, what’s with the formality? We’re way past that. I told you–call me Gideon.”

He reached out and gently stroked Felicia’s hair. It was soft and straight, the smoothness seeming to seep into his chest, stirring something he couldn’t name.

Felicia tilted her head slightly to move away.

She pretended not to see the disappointment and longing flickering in his eyes.

“Are you… coming back?” Gideon asked.

“Of course.”

Felicia hadn’t planned on returning to Portland.

The only ties she had there were from five years ago.

She was an orphan–no family, no real friends. If not for Abigail’s donor match being in Portland, she never would’ve gone back.

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She’d signed a five–year agreement with the hospital back then. After her marriage of convenience to Gideon, it turned into a permanent position at a hospital in France.

Gideon’s assistant, Jacques Laurent, walked over, having just finished checking her and Abigail’s luggage. “Mr. Logan, all set.”

Gideon nodded. For the first time, he found himself annoyed by Jacques‘ efficiency.

“OK. I’ll be here waiting for you,” he said to Felicia.

Felicia nodded and set Abigail down. “Abby, say goodbye to Daddy.”

“Bye–bye, Daddy,” Abigail said sweetly.

Gideon smiled and waved. As he watched their figures shrink into the distance, an overwhelming loneliness washed over him.

Would Felicia really come back?

Could she ever let go of what happened five years ago?

Long after Felicia and Abigail had disappeared from sight, he stood there, motionless.

“Have I made the right choice, letting Felicia go back to Portland?”

Watching the white trail of the plane stretch across the sky, Gideon closed his eyes. His mind was

full of her.

“Mr. Logan, Mrs. Logan is your wife. Your marriage is protected by law.”

Jacques spoke flawless English–no one would guess he was French.

“My wife…”

Gideon opened his eyes, lost in thought.

His foolish wife only ever saw him as family. All she felt was gratitude.

But… so what?

Jacques was right. They were legally married.

Their marriage was protected by French law–and American law.

So what if Felicia was back in Portland?

So what if she still hadn’t forgotten that guy?

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Chapter 8

He wasn’t giving up.

He turned and walked away. Jacques followed.’

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Watching Gideon’s back, Jacques almost said something. According to his research, Felicia had left Portland without looking back. In all her years in France, she’d never once shown any

attachment to her past. Gideon was worrying over nothing.

But he kept quiet. He knew better than anyone–in this three–year marriage built on no real feelings, Gideon was the one without a shred of security.

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