Isaak’s death had hurt everyone. Everyone buthim.He’dnever got attached. Not to the idea of him.Their son.Whereas she…
She could almost feel Isaak. Here with her now, in her arms, holding him tightly to her chest as they escaped together into a new life. A life away from the man who had betrayed them both.
She closed her eyes. Tried to stem the pulsing ache in her stomach.
Konstantinos had never ached.
He’d never wanted a child, and neither had she, but their baby had been coming, yet still he hadn’t wanted Isaak. He’d promised to do his duty. Fulfil his responsibility to the child. But that was where it ended.
Their relationship would remain as it was.
A marriage of convenience—friends with benefits—where he provided protection—safety—in return for her loyalty.
She hadn’t craved a change in their marriage, but solidarity—support—for what was to come. A baby.Their baby. She’d needed her friend.Him.But instead of remaining friends and building a safe place for their child, they’d started to repel each other like opposing magnets.
They weren’t friends now.
She opened her eyes.
‘I’m sorry, Serena.’ Guilt bloomed in her chest. ‘I’m sorry I dragged you into all this.’
All those who lived in the monastery, the staff, they’d be crushed to learn their boss was a liar.A cheat.All of her husband’s people were loyal to him. He inspired it.Loyalty. He was always fair to his employees. She couldn’t trust anyone on the island not to tell him what she was doing—where she was going.
Serena wasn’t crushed. She seemed almost relieved. Relieved that this man all believed was good was…bad.But still Poppy had put her in danger. Compromised her.
‘It’s such a risk to your reputation to help me,’ she continued. ‘A risk to your livelihood. I’m so thank—’
‘Donotapologise for asking for help.’ Serena’s shoulders tensed into a straight line. ‘Too many women ask for it too late. My mother…’ Serena held her gaze in the shadows. ‘I couldn’t helpherescape my father.’
Was it always the fathers who broke their little girls? Fathers who put the responsibility of protecting their mothers on their too-small shoulders?
You didn’t protect her.
Her breath hitched.
She’d tried.
Too late.
The crash had taken her mother and father before she could. Andthatwould always be her burden to carry. Yes, she’d been a child, but it was her regret to own. And she owned it as hers. Even if the lie belonged to her father.
‘My father…he hurt my mother, too. Lied to her.’ An ugly curve tilted her lips. ‘Men…they can’t be trusted. They’re all liars.’
It had been her mantra all of her life. Never to trust them, however charming they were, like her dad.
Konstantinos had changed her mind.
She’d been a fool to believe she could trust him. She’d thought he was different.Special.
Konstantinos Ariti had fooled everyone. He hadn’t been giving her time, not when Isaak was growing inside her, and not when he was gone. He hadn’t kept his distance to give her time to heal. To get better.
He’d been having an affair.
The private investigator recommended to her by Serena had confirmed her suspicions.
He’d betrayed her at her most vulnerable.
He was never the man she’d thought he was.
