Page 101 of The Arrogant's Surrender

“Don’t fight it. Trust me.”

“And do you trust me too?”

To my surprise, he glances toward the bed and then says, “Let me just check her vitals to make sure everything’s as it should be, and I’ll meet you outside, okay? We need to talk.”

“I don’t know what to say,” I tell him half an hour later, sitting in the restaurant he brought me to. “Kassia is your biological mother?”

I feel like an idiot for repeating the question, especially since he already told me the whole story. But it’s so heartbreaking, I feel like crying.

“Do you think the people she said wanted to hurt you two are the same ones who left her like that?”

“I believe there’s a chance they are, and I will move heaven and earth to uncover the truth.”

“And then?”

“I’ll punish those responsible.”

Days later

NEW CANAAN, CONNECTICUT

“I’m not sure how long I’ll be,” I tell the driver so he can relay it to the bodyguards as well.

I’ve just travelled for fifty-eight minutes to try to resolve, once and for all, the situation with my boyfriend’s mother.

I step out of the car, nervous as hell, unsure whether I’ve made the right decision by coming here. But now that I know more about Medeia Pappakouris’ relationship with Athanasios, I want to give her a chance to prove she isn’t the despicable person I judged her to be at first glance.

That episode with Febe still sits like a lump in my throat. Yes, I’m resentful. I’ve been trying to change that, but it’s not an easy task. Knowing his mother spoke to that woman about me, indirectly encouraging her to try to break us apart, still drives me crazy.

Two days ago, Medeia called me.

I almost had a heart attack but kept my composure as if it were no big deal. Even though I was dying to tell her we had nothing to talk about and hang up, she’s my boyfriend’s mother—the one who raised him, at least—and I can’t just erase her from my life now that our relationship is heading toward something more serious.

If I’m honest, I felt a bit sorry for her after Athanasios told me about his biological mother. There’s no comparison betweenthe adoration in his voice when he talks about Kassia and the way he speaks about his adoptive mother.

Could psychology explain that, in some way, he never accepted Medeia as his mother because he felt she was “stealing” his real mother’s place?

Honestly, I don’t know. The fact is, I feel immense sorrow for Kassia being in that state, but I also sympathize—yes, that’s the mother in me speaking, not the daughter-in-law—with Medeia Pappakouris for not having her son’s unconditional love.

I’m not here to judge whether she’s perfect. Mothers make mistakes. I have no doubt I’ll make plenty with Silas and Soraya. I came because I don’t want to be the reason she and Athanasios drift apart. If one day they decide they can’t stand to be around each other anymore, it won’t be because of me—it’ll be their decision.

I ring the doorbell, and to my surprise, she answers herself. Athanasios told me his parents’ house has twelve bedrooms and countless staff, so I didn’t expect her to act with such informality after that first impression.

“Brooklyn, how are you?”

“I’m well, thank you. And you?”

She invites me in, and I silently pray that at the very least, we can treat each other civilly.

“I asked my afternoon cook to prepare a snack for us. Are you hungry?”

I could say no, but I decide to be myself and see what happens. “I’m always hungry. My mom says I have a bottomless pit instead of a stomach.”

She looks at me, surprised, but seconds later, she smiles.

Point one to me.

We walk to a beautiful living room I’m sure I didn’t see the last time I was here. It’s all white—furniture and rugs included—with light blue accents.

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