Page 88 of The Arrogant's Surrender

I take a step forward. "Don’t drag my children into your crazy jealousy, or I swear to God you’ll regret it."

She gives me a mocking smile. "I didn’t drag them into this; the man you call your boyfriend did. Take some advice from a woman who’s already been betrayed by him. Don’t fool yourself, Brooklyn. Athanasios has a block of ice where his heart should be. You seem like a good girl. He’s going to hurt you in the end. I bet he’s acting like the man of your dreams, but that’s how he operates until he gets what he wants. After that, you and your kids will just be trophies for his shelf. Another conquest for the powerful doctor."

She exits dramatically, slamming the door like an actress delivering her final line.

I’m not stupid. Of course I can see that she’s drowning in jealousy. And beyond that, her story doesn’t make much sense . . . unless what she said about him being sterile is true.

I feel my blood run cold, and the coward in me wants to run straight home. But I’m not going to back down because of the first fool who tries to poison me with lies. So even though my heart is clenched tight, I decide to wait for him.

"Brooklyn?" I hear him call my name, but I don’t open my eyes just yet, as it takes me a few seconds to remember why I’m still in his office.

I don’t know how much time has passed, but I must have fallen asleep on the couch.

"Hey," he insists.

Finally, I open my eyes, but I don’t look at him. I sit up slowly, placing my feet on the floor. "Was everything okay with the baby?"

"Yes, we’ve stabilized him. You’re tired. I should’ve had someone let you know it would take longer than expected, but I wanted you to be here when I got back."

I stand and straighten my spine. "Why?"

"What do you mean, why?" he asks, stepping closer. "I want to spend the night inside you."

I take two steps back. "Is that all?"

I feel a bit foolish because it sounds like I’m fishing for a declaration, so to try and salvage some dignity—and not look like another needy woman who’s chased after him all his life—I decide to get straight to the point, no preamble.

"Wait. That’s not what I want to know. I need to ask you something."

"What’s going on, Brooklyn?"

"Are you planning a marriage of convenience? Or rather, are you planning a marriage of convenience withme?"

For the first time since we met, he doesn’t answer me right away. Athanasios isn’t the kind of man who hesitates aboutanything, and his silence tells me that what that woman said is true.

I step back even farther, needing to create distance, as my throat tightens.

I think back to how I was enchanted by him from the moment I woke up and everything we’ve shared since. I can’t believe I’ve been so foolish, that I let myself be used again.

"How the hell do you know about this?"

"Because your ex-girlfriend came to warn me."

"Ex-girlfriend?"

"Yes, Febe. The doctor you abandoned to be with me."

"What are you talking about? Febe and I were never together!"

"Then can you tell me that everything she said was a lie? Answer me, Athanasios: were you planning a marriage of convenience with me?"

It’s his turn to take a step back. "I was planning a marriage of convenience before I even met you . . . When I found you, you just fit into my plans."

"Ifitinto your plans?" I repeat, horrified, feeling tears well up in my eyes.

"Brooklyn, things didn’t happen the way you’re thinking."

"You have no idea what I’m thinking."

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