Page 51 of Breaking the Annulment

Her resolve wavered under the intensity of his gaze, but she held her ground. “Nothing. You’re being paranoid.”

“Nothing?” His voice dropped to a dangerously quiet tone, the sharp edge in it cutting through her defenses. “You were gone for hours, Aurelia. And yet, now that you’re back, you can’t even look me in the eye. What did you think? That I wouldn’t notice?”

Her stomach twisted as he stepped even closer, his chest against her back. “Michalis, please. I just needed some time to myself.”

His eyes narrowed, suspicion and frustration darkening his expression. “You’re lying to me,” he accused, his voice barely above a whisper. “I know where you went.”

Her breath hitched, and her heart stuttered in her chest. Before she could reply, his hands slid to her waist, firm butnot unkind. His touch sent a jolt through her as he brought them slowly around to her belly. The movement was deliberate, pointed.

Her eyes widened, and her breath caught as the realization hit. She met his gaze in the mirror. “Michalis…”

“When were you planning to tell me about the baby?” His voice was quiet now, but there was an undercurrent of hurt beneath the calm.

Tears filled her eyes, spilling over before she could stop them. “I…” Her voice cracked as she answered truthfully. “I don’t know.”

His grip tightened, and he exhaled slowly, as though trying to rein in his emotions. “Did you go to the doctor to…” He paused, his voice roughening. “Are you still…”

“Yes, eight weeks,” she whispered fiercely, placing her hands over his.

He shuddered in relief. “And you’re okay? The baby is okay?”

“We’re both fine.”

He pulled her closer, resting his head on top of hers as his hands fully splayed protectively over her stomach. “Thank god,” he murmured. “I don’t know what I would’ve done if either of you…”

His words tore at her already fragile composure. She closed her eyes, tears slipping down her cheeks as the burden of her decision crushed her. She wanted to tell him everything—that she was running to protect their child, that she loved him but couldn’t stay. But the words wouldn’t come.

He turned her in his arms and brushed a tear away with his thumb, his touch achingly tender. “I like the idea of becoming a father,” he said softly. “And you… you’ll be an amazing mother. I know it.” His voice dropped to a husky whisper, filled with an unfamiliar vulnerability. “I want this. I want us to be a family. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m in love with you.”

Her chest ached as she struggled to find her voice. “Michalis, I…”

He silenced her with a kiss, his lips warm and reassuring against hers. “We’ll figure everything out,” he promised. “Together.”

Aurelia nodded faintly, even as her heart splintered. Together was what she wanted more than anything. But it wasn’t a dream she could afford.

“We can talk about this later. Let’s go greet our guests.” He straightened, fixing his shirt and tie, then adjusting his cufflinks as his tone shifted back to normal, stepping back and offering her his arm. His smile was tender, full of pride. “You look beautiful,agápe mou. Everyone should see you like this.”

She took his arm, a small smile playing on her lips as her resolve wavered.Give me one more night,she prayed.One more night to be his.

21

Aurelia’s throat tightened. She wanted to cry, to scream, to tell Michalis how much she wanted to stay, but the dangers of his world loomed like an ever growing shadow.

The walk to the ballroom was quiet, the sound of their footsteps echoing softly against the polished marble floors. Michalis’s hand came to rest lightly on the small of Aurelia’s back, his touch grounding her as they approached the grand doors. His presence at her side was a double-edged sword—it reassured her but also reminded her of the world––the shackles––she was stepping into as the wife of the head of the Giannopoulos family.

When the doors opened, the light and energy of the ballroom enveloped them. Aurelia straightened her shoulders, fighting to stay afloat under the pressure, her fingers twisting the diamond on her finger as she adjusted her posture. Michalis’s gaze rested on her like physical weight, a subtle reminder that he was always there.

The grand ballroom and gardens of the Giannopoulos estate were a glittering spectacle. Crystal chandeliers cascaded lightacross the room, catching on the gold accents of the towering Grecian columns and reflecting off the polished marble floors. The hum of polite conversation mingled with the delicate strains of a string quartet tucked into a corner, their music rising and falling like the tide. Waiters in immaculate uniforms glided between clusters of well-dressed guests, balancing trays laden with champagne flutes and hors d'oeuvres.

Aurelia stepped into the room on Michalis’s arm, and the air seemed to shift. Heads turned, conversations faltered, and admiring gazes swept over her. Her champagne-colored gown shimmered under the lights, clinging to her curves with elegant precision. The soft chignon she’d pinned earlier had loosened slightly, allowing tendrils of dark hair to frame her face, giving her an ethereal quality. The effect wasn’t lost on Michalis, whose hand rested possessively on the small of her back.

“You’re more stunning every time I look at you,” he murmured, his voice a low rumble that sent a shiver down her spine.

She smiled faintly, though her stomach twisted with dread. Every step brought her closer to David, closer to her plan. She glanced up at Michalis. His tuxedo fit him to perfection, the sharp lines of the black jacket emphasizing his broad shoulders and lean frame. The snowy white of his shirt provided a striking contrast to his olive skin, and his electric blue eyes scanned the room with quiet authority. He looked every inch the powerful man he was—a man no one dared to cross.

“I should be saying the same about you,” she replied softly, earning a rare, genuine smile from him.

As they made their way through the crowd, Michalis’s grip on her waist tightened slightly, a subtle reminder of his protective nature. He guided her effortlessly, pausing to greet key figures and exchanging pleasantries with associates. Aurelia played her part, smiling and nodding as introductions were made. Herhand rested lightly on his arm, a poised contrast to the storm of emotions roiling inside her.

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