Page 231 of Modern Romance September 2026 Books 1-4

‘You’re married to a party planner, and as an expert I can tell you that house is perfect for entertaining. But don’t worry, I’ll enjoy organising that.’ She squeezed his hands. ‘I want our children to grow up in a home where they can have their friends around. I don’t want them—’

‘Socially isolated.’ He nodded. ‘I want that too.’ His look was grave. ‘You said children, plural.’

‘I did.’ She held her breath. Until his mouth curled in a smile that made her think of long, passion-filled nights.

‘You know,’ his low voice was velvet brushing her skin, ‘if we’re going to fill the house with parties and children, perhaps we need to start now.’

His index finger stroked the centre of her palm, sending thrills of delight through her.

Panos really did trust her, despite Charlie’s sudden appearance. She’d been stupid to worry.

‘That sounds like a plan.’

* * *

The next day her optimism was tested.

It began when she walked into the bedroom to discover Panos on the phone. One glance at her and his expression changed, becoming unreadable, as if he were suddenly on guard. A second later he ended the call. When he turned towards her, he smiled though his eyes were wary.

An hour later Evadne, who’d come with them to Athens, mentioned that her niece, Athena’s babysitter, was returning that evening, having cut short a break to visit her family.

‘There’s no need for that,’ Dido protested. ‘We can manage until she’s due back.’

Evadne, busy preparing a meal, shook her head. ‘She’ll be needed. Panos wants her back for when you’re not—’ The older woman sucked in a breath and fumbled her spatula.

‘When I’m not what?’

For the first time since they’d met, Evadne’s smile looked forced, her gaze dipping away. ‘Ignore me. I don’t know what I was saying. I was prattling and got confused.’

Dido frowned. Evadne never prattled. As for getting confused…the woman not only ran the household like clockwork but also managed the staffing and maintenance of Panos’ other residences.

But when she pressed, the housekeeper merely said she’d been told the babysitter would be needed and didn’t know any more. That was confusing as they had no major engagements in Athens. The press were beginning to clamour for details about their relationship but so far Panos had kept their continued presence in Athens under the radar.

She shivered. That couldn’t last. Not now Charlie knew where they were. If he couldn’t persuade Panos to part with money, he’d probably concoct a story to sell to the press.

Dido was fretting over that as she put Athena down for a nap then padded barefoot to find Panos. She needed to warn him. Hearing his deep murmur, she made for the study.

‘I don’t care what it takes,’ Panos said. ‘But it must be done discreetly. I don’t want my wife guessing.’ Dido’s pace slowed near the door that stood just a crack open. ‘I’ve recalled the babysitter. She and Evadne will take care of Athena and I want your best team protecting them. No one gets to her. Absolutely no one, understand?’

Dido blinked, her nape tightening at Panos’ urgency. He sounded worried. What could stress him so much? And what was that about not letting anyone get in?

‘As to the other, I’ve taken legal advice. There’ll be no difficulty enforcing a complete separation.’

A complete separation? Was he talking about them?

Dido’s palms hit the wall as her knees gave way. Nausea churned as she fought rising panic.

She couldn’t believe it. Didn’t want to believe it.

Panos was talking to his head of security about keeping their daughter safe. But he didn’t want Dido to know about that. And he planned a separation.

She clamped a hand to her mouth to stifle a horrified gasp. Was it possible? Had Panos again decided she was in cahoots with Charlie? That she was after his money? Her vision misted and her chest burned as she struggled to take it in.

Dido thought of yesterday and the emotional bond she’d been convinced they shared. Their talk of having more children. Of the life they’d lead together. They’d spent the night entwined together, sometimes making love but sometimes simply cuddling.

She’d believed Panos trusted her. That they’d moved on and begun to build a stronger relationship. Was his belief in her so weak that a single intervention by her horrible half-brother had destroyed that?

Something splintered in her chest. Had that been a lie? A smokescreen so she didn’t guess Panos mistrusted her? Was he going to separate her from their daughter?