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We all stand, and I watch the women kiss her three times on her cheeks and then she smiles and says sweetly, “Don’t be shy, Melissa. You look as if you need a hug.”
As I step into her arms, a pang of loneliness strikes me. I miss my mom and wonder if she’s happy in Cedar Sands. It hurt to leave her there and yet I was so caught up in my trip with Apollo, I never gave it much thought. However, being here, among a family who absolutely adore one another, it reinforces my own loneliness. Will I ever be like these women? The center of someone’s world who would tear the earth apart for me.
I think about Phoebe and how afraid she must have been when she was taken. What really happened to her? Perhaps she went willingly. Nobody appears to even contemplate that. It’s a mystery I would like to know the outcome of, and even though my future is uncertain, I am not the only one.
CHAPTER 28
MELISSA
It’s as if I’ve only been here minutes before I’m aware something is happening. I’m sunbathing on the terrace with Allegra when she says with interest.
“We have company.”
I glance through my sunglasses and notice the boat that brought me here sailing into view and my heart starts to pound. Is it Apollo? Has he come back for me?
I sit up and peer into the distance as if I own supersonic vision or something and then I hear Purity’s voice saying sweetly, “Melissa. Nonna has asked if you’ll join her inside.”
I scramble for my wrap and wonder if this visitor concerns me somehow and as I pass her, Allegra says kindly, “I hope it’s good news, Melissa.”
“Me too.” I return her smile nervously and head inside, the darkness reacting in my eyes against the glare of the sun outside.
I make my way to Ariana’s light-filled sitting room and find her standing at the window watching the boat approach.
“It appears you have a visitor, Melissa.”
She turns and I note a hint of sadness in her eyes.
“Who is it?” I’m very nervous now, and she points to the delicate French chair that is covered in pale blue velvet.
“We will wait here for the outcome of the meeting.”
“The meeting?”
She waves her hand and, as if by magic, her housekeeper appears with a tray of lemonade.
“Your brother Troy has come to check on you.”
“He has?” My heart drops because this can only mean one thing. He’s angry.
“I should have called him and told him I was okay. He’s probably angry with me.”
“I doubt it.” Ariana shakes her head. “If anything, it shows how much family means to him and I can’t argue with that.”
She smiles sweetly. “What do you want to do, Melissa? The choice is to leave or stay. It is your decision.”
It catches me unaware because in all of this, I never knew I had a choice and I think about my situation. Apollo is the reason I came; will he be the reason I stay?
There is a big part of me that would consider it a defeat if I left with Troy. The part that wanted an adventure and something different from my well-ordered life. Then there’s the part of me that wants to go home to check on mom. To be among people who love me and are sure that I’m safe.
She says softly, “You are taking time with your answer. Why?”
I lift my eyes to hers and whisper, “I’m conflicted.”
“In what way?”
She sips the lemonade and I sigh. “It’s as if I have unfinished business with Apollo.”
She raises her eyes and I say quickly, “I know the score. He is in love with someone else. Serena told me the story.”
