Page 59 of Billion-Dollar Baby Shock

Tara realised belatedly that Dion looked pale.She must have misheard him.‘Sorry, what did you just say?’

She glanced at Niko quickly to check him and saw that he was falling asleep.She went over and put him lying down, bolstered by the cushions to stop him rolling off.Dion handed her a throw and she put it over him.As she was doing this she was telling herself she must have—

‘I said,’ Dion said in a low voice from behind her, ‘that I think you should have full custody of Niko.’

Tara stood up and turned around.When she could get a word out, it made no sense.‘But… I…you can’t… I can’t…’

Dion was shaking his head.‘Do you know that I’ve never seen a family, at close hand like that?’

Tara’s insides sank.‘I knew it—it was traumatic.’Clearly, because he’d lost his mind.

But he shook his head.‘No, it was amazing.Theshorthand between you.The incredible bond.Thelove.The support.’

‘I…yes, I’m very lucky.’

Dion looked at her.‘You lost your parents, you suffered a massive tragedy but you used it to forge something strong and durable and amazing.I know, even after only meeting your siblings for a brief time, that they would do anything for you.And for Niko.’

‘You’re included in that now.You’re family too, even if we’re not together…’ She trailed off ineffectually.

But Dion was shaking his head.‘No, I’m not your family.I don’t have any family.’

Tara’s heart broke for Dion.‘You have Niko.You have me.’

Dion turned away from her as if he couldn’t bear her to look at him.He said, ‘What I did—having a child on my own—it was the most arrogant and selfish thing I’ve ever done.I would have subjected Niko to a half-life with just me.Seeing him with you and your family last night, how can I deny him a family who will adore him and care for him?’

He turned to face her again.‘How can I deny him a mother who is willing to move to another country and set up a life there in order to be with her son?’

‘How can you deny him his father?’

‘A selfish father.How could I offer Niko a family when I don’t even know what it is?’

‘It wasn’t selfish to want to create a life.People do it with a lot less consideration than you.’

He seemed determined not to hear her.‘I’m no better than my mother.I’m worse.’

Tara gasped.‘That is not true, for one second.YouloveNiko.’

His eyes blazed.‘I would lay down my life for him but how do I know if that’s love?I’ve never felt it, how can I show it?You and your family have that… Niko deserves that.He should stay here with you.’

Tara shook her head.‘My life is not here any more.It’s in Athens, with you and Niko.’

Dion said, ‘I’m going back to Athens today.You’re staying here with Niko.’

‘So, you’re repeating history after all?’

Dion frowned.‘How?’

‘By abandoning your baby.’

He went pale.‘I would never.’

‘That’s exactly what you’re doing, if you leave him behind.’

‘But he’ll be with you.’

‘He needsyou.’

Dion started to pace back and forth.Tara glanced at Niko.He was still fast asleep.She looked back at Dion.He stopped pacing.‘I’ll end up hurting him.He’ll resent me for not giving him a family.’