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She would love him forever, and her love would probably grow with every second she spent with him, but he didn’t have to know. He should never know because that was the only way to survive if the day ever came that he no longer had a need for her.
He whispered painfully, “Mairi, look at me.”
Slowly, she obeyed his command.
Damen sucked in his breath at the shuttered look in her eyes. They were no longer mirrors to her soul, and he wondered bleakly if it was because there was something she had to hide from him.
“I’m no longer a billionaire.”
Her lips quirked, but her voice was soft with hurt – for him – when she answered simply, “I know.”
“And yet you’re here.”
“I’m here.”
Damen looked into her eyes, wishing they would change. But they didn’t. More time passed, which he needed so he could prepare himself for what he was about to ask. He inhaled deeply, telling himself that whatever she said, it would not change a thing. He would always love her.
“Mairi.”
“Yes?”
“Are you here with me out of pity?”
There was no hesitation when she answered simply, softly, “Yes.”
Part V
The Art of Wedding a Greek Billionaire
Mairi
Chapter 1
Eight days ago
Mairi Tanner was escaping. She knew tonight was the only chance she would ever get. Drake was gone, and only one of his security personnel remained, posted outside the door to her room. But he wasn’t going to be a problem.
Earlier, the nurse had given Mairi sleeping pills, which she promptly pretended to swallow. In reality, though, she had only kept them under her tongue. The moment the nurse had left, she had taken them out of her mouth and crushed them in an ice cold glass of lemonade. It had been served with her dinner, but she had opted to drink straight from the tap, knowing she would need the lemonade for her plan.
Tiptoeing to the door, careful not to make any sound, Mairi pressed her ears to the door. Snores greeted her. Her heart raced in anticipation at the sound, but Mairi suppressed her excitement. The pills had done their job, but her problems weren’t over yet.
Even though it killed her not to do anything, she went back to her bed and tucked herself in. And then she waited. The minutes ticked by. Outside, silence hummed, punctuated by random snores. But Mairi remained in bed, keeping herself still, ready to close her eyes and pretend she was asleep.
The door opened. Her eyes closed. She kept herself still as she felt the nurse move around the room. This would be the last round of checking until tomorrow morning. When Mairi heard the door close behind the nurse, she waited for a full minute before opening her eyes.
She was alone again.
Her gaze went back to the wall clock.
...thirty-five, thirty-four, thirty-three.
...three, two, one.
The minute hand moved to nine. It was time.
She got out of bed quickly, knowing there wasn’t a second to waste. She had practiced her steps over and over in her mind, knowing she couldn’t afford to make a mistake. If she failed and her aunts learned of her attempt to leave, she knew they would make it seem like she was a danger to herself. If that happened, there would be no escape. They would do it out of love, she knew, never realizing that doing so would kill her.
She needed to be with Damen Leventis.
She needed him like he was the reason her heart was able to beat for another second.
She needed him, and she no longer cared if he didn’t really need her the way she needed him.
Taking a deep breath, Mairi walked towards the door and placed her hand on the knob. Closing her eyes, she prayed, the kind that didn’t really need words. God would see through her heart. He would know it only beat for Damen now. He would understand.
Her gaze returned to the clock.
...five, four, three, two, one.
It was now three in the morning.
Quietly, Mairi turned the knob and opened the door. Relief hit her as she saw the guard dozing on his chair. As was his wont, he had folded his trench coat over the back of his chair, and Mairi reached for it with not-so-steady hands.
He didn’t stir.
So far, so good, Mairi thought as she shrugged into the trench coat, which she needed to hide the fact that she was wearing a hospital gown. Since she had been admitted into a private posh clinic, the gown was made of the most expensive type of cotton. However, it was still a hospital gown, and she couldn’t leave the place still dressed in it.
After tying the coat’s belt tightly around her waist, Mairi walked straight to the fire exit and raced down the stairs. Her heart beat faster with every step she took. She knew it couldn’t be this easy, but she couldn’t help but hope.
