“What about Thalassía? The contract?”
Tia turned to my father. “Mr. Christakis, I’d like your permission to complete the project from the United States. I’ve put my heart into those designs and I want to see them through, despite...” her voice faltered momentarily, “... personal complications.”
“Baba, you can’t allow this,” I interjected desperately. “If she returns to America, I’ll never see her again. Please.”
My father studied Tia’s face for a long moment, then glanced at me with an expression I couldn’t read. Finally, he turned back to her with a small nod.
“You may complete the project remotely, Ms. Massey. Your work has been exceptional, and I respect your professionalism.” His eyes softened. “The Christakis family honors its contracts.”
“Thank you,” Tia whispered.
“Aggelé mou, I love you. With my entire heart. I want no-one but you, now and forever.” I swallowed hard, prepared to beg if I must. “Please don’t leave. Let’s work it out. We can get through this, I promise.”
She turned to leave, then paused, looking back with devastation etched across her face. “You know what the worst part is? If you’d have told me your plan from the beginning, I may have helped you. But this... knowing I was used...” She shook her head. “There’s no coming back from that.”
“Tia,” I said again as she walked away. I was ready to pursue her, but my father and uncle both hurried forward, their large, muscled bodies blocking my way out.
“Move!” I growled, giving my uncle a shove, but I might as well have tried to punch a wall. I’d have to knock them flat to get past them, and I was pretty sure neither of them would let that happen.
I watched her disappear down the hallway, wishing like hell I’d kept her in bed. On the floor, the ring glinted, mocking me with its abandoned promise.
25
I threw clothes into my suitcase with trembling hands, not caring how they landed. My vision blurred with tears that wouldn’t stop falling, no matter how many times I wiped them away.
Every item I packed reminded me of Santo. The blue dress that matched his eyes, the soft cashmere sweater he’d draped around my shoulders one chilly evening on Thalassía.
“Baby, slow down,” Mom said, gently catching my wrist as I struggled with the zipper. “Let me help you.”
I surrendered to her capable hands, collapsing onto the edge of the bed. The same bed where I’d slept, dreaming of a future with a man who’d seen me as nothing but a pawn in his revenge game.
“I’m so stupid,” I whispered. “So incredibly stupid.”
Mom carefully refolded a silk blouse before placing it in the suitcase. “You’re not stupid, Tia. You’re human. You fell in love.”
“With someone who never loved me back.”
“Are you sure about that?” Mom asked, her movements never faltering as she continued packing. “Men are fools, especially young ones. They make terrible choices for terrible reasons. But that doesn’t mean his feelings weren’t real.”
I looked up at her, incredulous. “You’re defending him?”
“No.” She sat beside me, taking my hands in hers. “I’m just saying that people are complicated. The beginning of something doesn’t always define what it becomes.”
Fresh tears spilled down my cheeks. “He used me, Mom. Everything was a lie.”
“Not everything.” She fixed my braids, just as she’d done when I was small. “I saw the way he looked at you. That wasn’t pretend.”
I wanted to believe her. But how do you cling to memories that feel like lies now?
“It doesn’t matter now,” I said, standing abruptly. “We’re leaving tonight.”
Mom nodded, not pushing further. She zipped the suitcase closed and handed me a tissue. “I’m with you, baby. Whatever you need.”
As we left the room that had briefly been my home, I didn’t look back. I couldn’t bear to see the thoughts of what might have been.
My mother’s presence beside me and her unwavering support were the only certainty in my shattered world. Thank God for Mom. The only person in this world who has my back.
As we descended the grand staircase, Zeus appeared at the bottom, his ears perked forward, tail wagging.
