The Baby Dilemma

“He’s in such a severe emotional crisis right now, my husband I are deeply concerned.”

“I’m sure that being a new father, plus trying to help Yvette with their little boy must be—”

“Kellie—” Lee interrupted. “Yvette died during the delivery.”

“What?” she cried out aghast, unable to remain seated. Claudine hadn’t phoned to let her know. “I thought Philippe said she wasn’t injured in the car accident.”

“Just listen,” Lee cautioned her in a gentle tone. “Her death resulted from eclampsia in labor. It’s very tragic. She had convulsions, then fell into a coma. Yvette passed away without ever seeing her son. That was a week ago. The baby wasn’t released from the hospital until after the funeral.

“It was the grandmother who took him home with her. So far she has refused to let Philippe see his son because she blames him for her daughter’s death.”

Kellie’s groan reverberated throughout the living room. She could hardly comprehend it, or the guilt he must be suffering unnecessarily. “My poor darling husband,” her voice shook.

“He’s in agony, but he won’t talk about it.”

“What do you mean?”

“After you left him, he cut himself off from everyone. His family couldn’t get through to him. His brother Patrick left Paris to take over for him at the office.

“Raoul is the only person Philippe has let into your apartment. My husband was shocked to discover he hasn’t been eating or taking care of himself for the last month. Apparently he’s lost at least ten pounds, maybe more.

“But the thing that alarmed Raoul most was to learn from the maid that your husband was getting his climbing gear together. When Raoul asked him what was going on, he said he was planning an ascent of the Matterhorn this weekend.”

“He can’t!” Kellie blurted in anguish. “Claudine told me he’s still recovering from surgery on his knee.”

“She’s right. But he’s beyond listening to reason. Somehow Raoul managed to get him to agree to wait until the bankers’ conference was over so he and Roger and Yves could go with him.

“The guys have a plan to do everything in their power to prevent him from trying anything dangerous. Unfortunately my husband hasn’t ever seen Philippe like this before. He isn’t sure they’ll be able to stop him.”

At this point Kellie’s whole body was trembling. “I’ve got to go to him! It was only because of Yvette’s love and need for him that I initiated the divorce. Nothing could keep me away from him now. I love him so desperately you’ll never know.”

“I think I do. Raoul and I feel you’re the only one who can make a difference. That’s why I came. To fly you back to Switzerland with me tonight in Raoul’s private jet. I rented a car at Sea-Tac airport. We can drive to Seattle whenever you’re ready.”

What wonderful people they were.

“Thank you for your generosity, but I couldn’t accept your offer,” she whispered, fighting tears. “I’ll arrange for a commercial flight just as soon as I let my family know.”

Lee got to her feet. “Kellie? Before you turn me down, there is one more thing you should be aware of.”

Sickness welled up in Kellie’s throat. “What is it?”

The princess seemed almost hesitant. “Philippe has changed.”

“In what way?”

“He wants the divorce now.”

She was trying to understand. “Now? But if Yvette’s no longer alive…”

When Lee didn’t say anything else, the significance of her words started to sink in.

Kellie felt the room tilt. She clung to the first available chair. Lee was at her side in an instant.

“You look ill. Sit down.”

When Kellie was seated, Lee knelt next to her. She stared into her eyes. “Tell me what caused you to almost pass out. Surely you must have realized what your continual rejection was doing to him? Sending Philippe those divorce papers absolutely shattered him.”

Lee’s gentleness and sincerity slipped past her defenses. Tears gushed down her cheeks.

“I was t-trying to bow out so he could do the right thing for Yvette and his baby. Now to hear that she’s gone, a-and he doesn’t want me back—you see I’ve just learned that I’m pregnant with his baby.”

It was Lee’s turn to let out a soft gasp before putting her arm around Kellie’s shoulders. Several minutes went by while Kellie tried to come to terms with what the princess had told her.

“D-do you know if he’s already signed the papers?”

“Not yet. Raoul talked him into waiting until after they’d made their supposed climb, when he had a clearer head.”

“Oh, Lee—” She fought to break down sobbing. “What am I going to do?”

There was a long silence. “What do you want to do?”

“I want my husband back, but I don’t want to use the news that we’re having a baby to be the reason he doesn’t go through with the divorce.”

“I wouldn’t want that, either.”

“What if he refuses to see me?”

“There has to be a way. But as I told you before, he’s not the same man.”

Kellie got up from the chair. “Then I’m going to have to fight for his love because I can’t lose him!”

Lee rose to her feet. “I’m glad to hear you say that because it is going to be a fight.” She opened her handbag and pulled out what looked like a newspaper clipping. “Read this, then you’ll understand part of your husband’s turmoil.”

With trembling fingers Kellie unfolded it to discover the front page of a major French-Swiss newspaper. The date September 30 stood out as if it had been stamped in red ink.

On the bottom half was a picture of Philippe’s car jammed against a van. There was a smaller picture of him in a business suit. Kellie’s shock turned to horror as she started to read the accompanying story.

Last night an accident sent well-known wealthy French auto-magnate Philippe Didier and an unidentified pregnant woman to Vaudois Hospital in Neuchâtel. Hospital authorities would not give out details, but it’s rumored that Kellie Didier, the new American bride of Monsieur Didier has fled the country. Speculation of an affair between M. Didie—

A moan escaped Kellie’s throat. She couldn’t read anymore and handed it back to Lee. “I—I had no idea—”

“Forgive me, Kellie, but Raoul made me promise I would show this to you if you decided to fly back with me. First, he wanted you to understand what Philippe has been forced to deal with on top of everything else.

“Secondly he says you need to be prepared for an invasion of the press. If you arrive with me, you can clear customs on board the jet. Raoul will have a limousine waiting to drive us to the château. He’ll make certain there aren’t any journalists around. That way you can slip back in the country without being bombarded with questions and camera flashes.”

She took a shaky breath. “How can I ever repay you and the prince for all this?”

Lee’s gaze searched hers. “If you and Philippe can works things out and be happy again, it’s the only payment we want. We’ve been looking forward to meeting the woman who brought Philippe to his knees.”