Page 195 of Modern Romance September 2026 Books 1-4

She breathed deep and reminded herself his hatred didn’t matter. She’d do whatever was necessary to look after her daughter. That was her priority and always would be. Which, for now, meant pretending everything was normal.

‘Come on, Pumpkin. It’s time for breakfast.’

* * *

‘You can’t be serious!’

Dido felt the world shift beneath her feet and was glad she was sitting at the tiny kitchen table nursing a mug of tea.

But of course he was serious. Every action Panos had taken today had been carefully considered.

First the quick and reassuringly simple procedure which would allow a paternity test between Panos and Athena.

Then the so-reasonable suggestion that an hour’s private conversation without distraction was in order. Thankfully her aunt had taken the morning off work, anticipating Dido needed support, so Flavia had bundled her excited great-niece into the pushchair with the promise of a trip to the park.

It had been only mildly alarming when a sleek black car, complete with brand-new child seat, had purred up to the front of the house to take them there. Panos had introduced the driver and bodyguard as if it were the most natural thing in the world to drive five blocks.

Flavia had raised her eyebrows and sought Dido’s opinion, but she’d nodded, knowing there was no choice.

Because Panos didn’t trust either of them not to run off with his daughter. In the circumstances Dido understood his caution, but it didn’t prevent her feeling hemmed in, as if anywhere she turned he’d find a way to interfere.

‘At least your staff are both female,’ she’d murmured as the car drove off. Her baby, excited by her first trip in anything other than public transport, had waved through the tinted window, unfazed as the car glided off, taking Dido’s stomach with it.

Beside her his broad shoulders shrugged. ‘She’s been brought up by women so it seemed sensible.’

Dido’s skin prickled. Her baby had taken to him in record time, vociferously demanding he accompany her, until she was distracted by the car.

Was it possible that father and daughter could bond so immediately? Or was it merely the allure of someone new and fun?

Dido was all too aware of the times when, exhausted, she’d zoned out while playing with Theeny, not giving her all the attention she wanted. Or insisted she sleep when she wasn’t ready, so Dido could concentrate on the mountain of work she needed to finish to pay the bills.

She looked at the mug she grasped so tightly. The milky tea rippled, betraying the tremor in her hands.

Finally she raised her head, meeting his enigmatic stare. ‘What you suggest is impossible.’

‘It’s not only possible but it’s going to happen. It’s not a suggestion. I’m taking Athena to Greece.’

The words dropped, clear and unrelenting, smashing any last hope she’d harboured that she might reason with him.

‘You can’t take my daughter from me!’

His expression didn’t change one iota. As if her protest was so negligible it had no effect. ‘Why not? You took my daughter from me.’

She’d known this was coming, yet faced with his implacable demand, it didn’t seem real, despite the terror spreading icy fingers through her veins.

He’d do it. He’d steal your baby.

He’d enjoy turning the tables on you.

‘Anyway, I’m not kidnapping her, or separating you, for now. I’m making a reasonable proposition. An extraordinarily generous proposition.’

‘There’s nothing reasonable about proposing Theeny and I relocate to Greece with you!’

He shook his head. ‘Only Athena is relocating permanently. She’ll live under my protection. You’ll stay while she acclimatises. If you behave, I may let you have a long-term place in her life.’

‘You’ll let me?’ Did he really think his money would sway a court? Or, the thought gave her hope, was he going in hard, trying to frighten her into submitting to his demands? Surely even he couldn’t expect to separate her and Theeny permanently.

Why, oh why, hadn’t she consulted a lawyer about her legal situation years ago?