Ninni narrowed her eyes. ‘The baby needs a father too, you know, and I don’t want to do this on my own. And don’t call me stupid, you idiot.’

‘Well, you are beyond stupid, actually. No child deserves a bastard for a dad. I think Karl has proven beyond any doubt what kind of father he is.’ Jack started pacing the floor, then stopped in front of her. ‘How does Karl feel about this?’

‘He was shocked at first, of course, but now he’s happy about it.’

Jack thought about Karl’s face. That was not the face of a happy man. ‘Are you sure about that? He looked pretty depressed when I saw him.’

Ninni closed her eyes for a moment, then took a deep breath. ‘Listen, Jack, this doesn’t concern you. I have to do what’s right for me and for the baby.’

‘How can raising a child with a man like Karl be the right choice? He will be bloody useless, Ninni. Why don’t you give me a chance?’ Jack threw it out there before he had a chance to think about it.

Her eyes widened. ‘It’s not your child, Jack. What if you decide further down the road that this isn’t for you anyway? And I have to explain to a child that you’re not his or her real father, and that’s why you’re leaving?’

It stung, and it made him even more mad. ‘In what universe do you believe that Karl will stay with you and the baby? You don’t love him, you don’t even respect him. There’s nothing there to build anything on.’

Ninni rubbed her forehead. ‘Karl promised to be there for us,’ she said quietly.

‘I bet he promised his wife and kids the same at some point,’ Jack said, unable to hide the bitterness in his voice.

‘There’s no need to be nasty,’ Ninni said.

‘I’m sorry, but it doesn’t make it less true. Why don’t you give us a chance, Ninni?’

She looked at him now. ‘I know you think you can do what your dad did. He raised you like his own child and he did a great job. But that was a different situation. You knew from the beginning he wasn’t your real dad. This baby has a right to know his or her real father.’

He smiled slightly. ‘Do you want me to come back in five years’ time? I might, you know.’

Ninni didn’t smile back. ‘You’re not your dad and this baby is not yours. I can’t risk it.’ She stepped back. ‘Please, Jack. Let’s end it here. I have made my decision. What you and I had was lovely, but everything has changed now.’

Jack realised he couldn’t change her mind. He wasn’t even sure if he wanted to. What if she was right? What if he couldn’t do it? She was right on another count too. He wasn’t his dad.

She moved away from the doorway and he passed without looking at her.

He could hear her locking the door behind him. She never locked the door. That was what she had said.