‘She had a tough pregnancy and the twins were premature. They’re still in hospital but they’re doing well. For any normal couple, it would be an exciting time but our life isn’t normal. All I can think about is you and how much I love you and miss you. I tried to cut you out my life, but I can’t let you go. I still want to marry you and to have a family of our own.’

‘What about your twins? You’re a dad now. Are you saying you’d abandon your children so you could start a family with me?’

‘No. I couldn’t do that. I’m already smitten with them and it’s hardly their fault I don’t love their mother. What I really want is to have them in my life and to have you.’

His eyes lit up as he mentioned being smitten with the twins and tears stung my eyes at the thought of the man I loved with his perfect little family. ‘Yes, well, we don’t always get what we want, do we?’

‘It doesn’t have to be like that.’ Scott left his chair and knelt on the floor beside me. ‘What do you want, Jem?’

I stared at the floor, unable to bring myself to look at him as I lied. ‘I want you out of my life. I wish I’d never met you.’ I’d hoped the words would come out loud and strong but I could hear the lack of conviction in every single one.

‘You don’t mean that. Look at me, Jem. I know you don’t mean that.’

He gently lifted my face and my heart pounded at his touch. I knew that the right thing was to pull away and order him to leave but I’d spent the best part of three weeks dreaming of a moment like this. Except in my fantasy, there wasn’t a wife and kids waiting in the wings. It was just the two of us.

‘I do mean it. I hate you. You’ve ruined my life.’

‘You don’t hate me. You hate what I’ve done to you… to us… but you don’t hate me.’

I leapt up, needing some distance, and crossed the room before turning on him. ‘I don’t know you!’