Page 8 of Reclaimed By His Billion-Dollar Ring

Yet for all the bitterness that filled her, so did much, much more...

With a low, anguished groan she went on staring blindly at the ceiling, misery and memory filling her.

‘Papa, what did the doctor say?’

Calanthe was waiting in the plush waiting room of the exclusive clinic where her reluctant father had been persuaded to see his eminent cardiologist.

‘I’m perfectly fine! Just as I told you I was!’ came the testy reply as her father marched out of the clinic into the waiting car.

‘Really?’ Calanthe said, not hiding the scepticism in her voice as the two of them settled back into the capacious seat and the chauffeur eased away. ‘Then what did he say about the breathlessness? The pain that I know, Papa, sometimes strikes you in the chest?’

Her father waved an impatient hand. ‘He’s as much of a fusspot as you are! Tells me to cut down on work, lose some weight, take more exercise! As though I have time for any of that nonsense!’

‘Papa, he’s a doctor—he knows what he’s talking about,’ Calanthe began.

She could feel anxiety beating up in her. For her father even to admit the doctor had told him to do anything at all about his lifestyle was not a good sign.

‘He wants to do more tests! I gave him short shrift. I’ve agreed to take some pills, but nothing more! And you, my daughter, are not to fuss over me. I can’t abide it!’

Abruptly, her father changed the subject.

‘Is everything ready for lunch today with young Kavadis?’

Calanthe stiffened immediately. For two days she’d been trying not to think of the coming lunch. Trying not to think about what had happened at her father’s birthday party at all.

So Nik had crawled out of the woodwork—after eight long years. Crawled out, so it seemed, as a wealthy man—a man important enough to be consulted by the Greek government on building earthquake-proof, environmentally sustainable, low-cost housing.

Well, what was that to her? Nothing! Nik was in her past. And he would never, never be allowed to invade her life again.

Except...

‘You will be joining us for lunch, will you not, Calanthe?’

She started at her father’s question. ‘Me? No. Of course not.’

‘Why not?’ His tone was bland.

‘It’s a business lunch, Papa,’ she answered tightly.

Her father ignored her objection. ‘He’s a very good-looking young man, is he not?’ he observed, his voice blander still. ‘And financially very sound. Well-respected too.’ He paused. ‘Not married either,’ her father said, ‘so I am informed.’

Calanthe’s fingers clenched. ‘Papa...’ she said warningly.

But he would not be warned.

‘Calanthe, my darling daughter, you know above all things I want your happiness! But the years are passing, and not just for me.’ His voice changed, and something in it made her heart catch. ‘Life does not last for ever, my dearest child. Your own mother was taken far too soon. As for me... Well, that quack just now has reminded me I am not immortal either—’

He broke off and Calanthe reached for his hands. Large and reassuring. The hands that had always protected her.

Even when I did not know I needed it...

Her thoughts swirled away. She knew just how much her father longed for her to marry, to choose one of the innumerable eligible potential husbands he had urged upon her. Knew how he wanted her settled, married with children. Happy... In love with the man she married.

But I’ve done love. And it tore me to shreds.

Her father’s hands pressed hers, then released them with a pat.

‘So,’ he said, and his voice was bland again, ‘will you join us for lunch today, hmm? Your ancient papa and the very handsome and eligible young Kyrios Kavadis?’ He smiled. ‘Look him over,’ he said. ‘That’s all I ask.’

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