Page 19 of Billion-Dollar Baby Shock

Tara nodded.‘Yes, I had two years left.But that’s why it took me so long to get my degree.I took a couple of years out after school to stay at home while working part-timeso I could be there for my brothers and sisters who were still in school.’

He looked at her and Tara could see that he didn’t quite know what to make of this information.Eventually he said, ‘That was admirable.’

She could almost hear the unspoken words,If you’re telling the truth.He was so cynical.‘I had no choice, but that didn’t matter.Even if I had had a choice, I would do it again.I love my brothers and sisters and they needed consistency and our routine to stay the same.’

He made a sound.‘Believe me, you had a choice but you chose not to shirk your responsibility.’

‘I guess so.’It had never occurred to Tara that she would do anything else.They’d all been in pain and grieving.She’d needed her brothers and sisters as much as they’d needed her.

She said, ‘That’s why I froze my eggs.My sister was working in the clinic and she put the idea in my head.I liked knowing that if I froze them, I’d have options if I wanted to delay having children.I’d been mother and father to my siblings since I was sixteen.I never intended on having children young.I know how hard it is.I wanted to study and have my career.’

Dion’s mouth had thinned into a line of disapproval.‘Your sister works at this clinic?’

Tara nodded, wondering where he was going with this.

‘Was it her fault the wrong eggs were used?’

Tara sat up straight.‘No, not at all.She just noticed that my eggs had been disturbed.’

‘But, if what you’re saying is true, then this clinic has made a massive error.’

Tara’s insides clenched.‘Well, yes, but there’s not much we can do about it now.’

‘I could sue them.’

Tara’s blood drained south.She put a hand on the counter to hold onto something.‘You can’t.My sister would lose her job.They help hundreds of couples.’

‘They’ve been negligent.How many more errors have they made?They can’t be allowed to stay open.’

Panic gripped Tara.She put out a hand in a pleading gesture.‘Until we do a DNA test and establish that Niko is my son, we don’t know for sure that therewasany negligence.’She put her hand down and looked him dead in the eye.‘And now that I’ve met him, I’m not leaving Athens until you agree to a DNA test.Surely you want to know for certain too?’

That muscle was twitching in his jaw again.She could tell that he would love to sayno, that he couldn’t care less.But could he live with the doubt of not knowing?

At that moment there was a snuffle on the baby monitor.Tara held her breath but it went quiet again.But Niko would be waking soon.She looked at Dion.‘I can stay here with Niko and take care of him today.If you want.’

He looked as if he wanted anything but that, but clearly he was not in a position to negotiate.‘Fine.Where are your things?Where are you staying?’

She named the hotel and his eyes widened marginally, no doubt because it wasn’t exactly a salubrious area.He said, ‘I have my assistant lining up a search for a new day nanny, until Elena can come back, but it probably makes sense for you to have your things brought here.There is plenty of space for you to stay and if you’re going tobe taking care of the baby in the meantime then it’ll be more practical.’

Tara felt a jolt of relief that he wasn’t sending her away.Even if it was only because he needed her.

She got off the stool.‘I can call a taxi to take me into town to pick up my things?’

He shook his head.‘No, you need to stay here for Niko.I’ll have someone go to the hotel and collect your things if you give me your room number.’

‘But I’m booked in for a few days.I didn’t know how long I’d be here.’

He waved a hand.‘I’ll take care of it.’

Pride stiffened Tara’s spine.‘There’s no need.I have money.’

‘Call it payment for helping me with Niko.’

Tara couldn’t argue with that.‘And the DNA test?’

‘Your presence has created enough of a doubt for me to require it now for myself, if not just to prove that you’re on the make.I’ll arrange to have someone from my doctor’s office come to do the test.’

Even as she was relieved to hear he would allow a test, Tara’s hands clenched to fists.‘I am not on the make.I have better things to be doing, like looking for a job.I did not intend on becoming a mother so soon after seeing my youngest sibling settled into university.This is the last thing I wanted.’