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‘Out of necessity!’ She tossed the words lightly at him as she walked back into the apartment.
Of course she was right. She was carrying his child, his heir, and he had every intention of doing the right thing. No matter the cost, emotionally or financially, his child would be born within marriage.
Marriage.
The word bounced around inside his head like a shout echoing in a cave, taunting him. Marriage was something he’d never aspired to. There had been no need. He’d never wanted to be a father. But one spontaneous and out of control night had changed all that.
‘We cannot be married without first being engaged.’ His voice was rough and hard as he pushed back emotions from the past that he couldn’t deal with now. He’d always looked forward—looking back only caused pain.
‘Perhaps you’d better look at the headlines today.’ She smiled sweetly and made her way to the kitchen.
He watched her as she poured iced water into two glasses and handed him one.
‘The reporters last night have taken you at your word, judging by their photos.’
His comment last night might have been made without the thought he usually gave dealing with the press, but it had certainly sparked a furore of media interest. He just wished he’d seen it first.
‘Is that a problem?’
‘Of course it is. You’ve made certain I have no option but to accept your absurd deal. But I hate you for it Nikos—with all my heart.’
* * *
Serena saw the colour drain from Nikos’s face. Last night she hadn’t realised there had been calculated planning behind making such an admission to the press, but now she did. It had been made to remove that tiny window of escape, to force her to accept his deal.
She hadn’t arrived looking for marriage—just the opportunity to do the right thing and tell him face-to-face. After her talk with Sally last night she knew deep down she wanted to be with Nikos, to raise his child. But he must never know that—not when he could use her so cruelly after all they’d shared.
It was perfectly clear he didn’t want commitment, and if their last night together hadn’t resulted in pregnancy she would never have seen him again. Somewhere deep inside she’d known that all along, but now he was forcing her into a marriage neither wanted. A marriage just the same as her parents had had, until their divorce a few years ago. One for the sake of their child—and she’d been the one who’d paid the price.
She inhaled deeply. Her child might not have been planned, but she’d never let her child think he or she was a mistake, never make it feel guilty for forcing its parents to be together. The idea of marriage to Nikos had been a far-fetched dream, but now it was a harsh reality that would enable her sister’s dreams to come true. A high price, but one she would willingly pay if it meant Sally becoming a mother.
‘I have a charity party to attend this evening. I need to talk with some business acquaintances. You will come too.’
He’d recovered his composure quickly. The ruthless businessman was well and truly back in control and today he looked even more so than he’d ever done. The fisherman she’d met wasn’t evident at all. The tailored suit that hugged his body with agonising perfection and the crisp white of his shirt shouted professionalism, but the expensive watch on his wrist and gold signet ring screamed success.
Before seeing him this morning she’d already decided she had no choice but to stay, to give marriage to him a chance not just for her child but for Sally. It was Sally’s advice that had taken the sting out of Nikos’s deal, warning her she mustn’t base her life on her parents’ marriage. She had to find her own happiness and she owed it to her child at least to try.
Despite that, she couldn’t keep a cutting remark from leaving her lips. ‘In what capacity? Your fiancée—as you told those reporters last night?
His blue eyes darkened. Glittering sparks shot from them and he set his lips in that all too familiar line that she was fast becoming accustomed to. It was something she’d never seen the fisherman she’d fallen in love with do.
‘Of course. We are to be married—that is why you are still here, is it not?’
‘I’m still here because it helps my sister.’ She threw her retort back at him, infuriated by his arrogance.
‘I will buy you a ring so big there will not be any questions as to my intentions towards you.’
His acerbic tone cut deep, but she didn’t let it show. Instead she took a sip of water. The ice clinking in the glass as her hands shook almost gave away how much his words had hurt.
