“Let them speculate,” Aris said. “The truth, it will come out.”
A thin wail rose from the stroller. Yianna was awake and unhappy about it.
Tia lifted her sister out of the stroller and cradled her against her shoulder. She swayed gently, patting Yianna’s back. “I missed them so much.”
“They missed you too,” I said, watching my daughter soothe my baby.
Santo moved closer to peer at Yianna. “She’s gotten bigger already.”
“Three weeks, they make the difference, yes.”
Tia looked up from Yianna, her eyes moving between Aris and me. “We’re here for whatever you need. Both of you.”
Santo nodded. “This lawsuit is garbage, and everyone who knows you know you’re too proper, too…” he waved his hand, “too you to abuse anyone.”
“I’ll have my attorneys add this to the defense strategy.” He looked down at me. “Come. Let us take our children home.”
34
Iwalked over to the window, enjoying the early morning sunlight, and opened my phone. My head of PR had forwarded the promised statement, but after one read-through, I deleted it. No one spoke for me but myself.
There would be a press conference later, and I knew the story was significant enough to attract numerous media outlets and scandal-hungry bloggers. I wasn’t concerned. I would state my position clearly and directly.
The past week had been a circus of legal meetings, strategy sessions, and damage control. Dede would stand beside me at today’s press conference, and I’d kept my promise to include her in every strategic decision.
After showering and shaving, I noticed the babies becoming restless. I changed their diapers and rolled both bassinets out of the bedroom to allow Dede a few more hours of sleep.
I wheeled the bassinets to the elevator we had only recently begun using. In the breakfast room, I was surprised to findChrysanthos, who typically never emerged before ten, already enjoying a substantial plate of eggs and bacon.
“Good morning,” I said, steering the bassinets into the room.
Chrysanthos gave a nod between bites of bacon, though his eyes softened as they landed on the bassinets.
Matthaios barely lifted his head. A grunt emanated from his throat while his thumbs continued their rapid movement across his phone.
My mother’s face lit up instantly. “Good morning, Ari! And good morning to my precious little ones.” She rose immediately, moving toward the babies.
“Sleep well?” Aunt Irida asked. She poured me a cup of coffee before joining my mother in cooing over the twins.
I kissed my mother and aunt on the cheek, surveying the breakfast spread with appreciation. With the day ahead, I would need proper sustenance. But first, the babies.
I picked up my daughter and handed her to Irida along with one of the bottles I’d warmed before coming down. Irida accepted her, and settled her against her shoulder.
Mother eagerly reached for Periklis, her face transforming with unmistakable joy as she cradled him. Watching them gave me a sense of satisfaction.
After she settled into her chair, I handed her Periklis’ bottle. She accepted it, though her attention remained fully absorbed by her youngest grandson.
I filled my plate with eggs, toast, and fruit, then settled into my chair. The coffee was strong and black, exactly what I needed.
“Big day,” Chrysanthos said, looking up from his breakfast. “The legal team seems confident.”
“They should be. The claims are baseless.” I cut into my eggs.
Matthaios’s thumbs finally stopped moving. He glanced at Chrysanthos, and something passed between them. “The internet’s going crazy,” he said with a smirk.
“The facts will speak for themselves,” I said simply.
Chrysanthos took a sip of his coffee. “I’m sure they will.”
