Page 91 of The Arrogant's Surrender

William gets up to call her in, and about ten minutes later, it’s all over.

Febe didn’t protest or even ask why she was being fired. She stayed impassive, which irritated me even more.

However, as everyone says their goodbyes, she makes a request: “Athanasios, may I have a word with you in private?”

The lawyer is gone, leaving only me and my two partners. She’s no longer our employee, so anything that happens now falls under personal matters.

“If you want to talk to Athanasios, it’ll be in front of us,” L.J. warns. “We don’t trust you, Febe. You won’t get a chance to pull anything.”

Normally, I’d dismiss their protection, but considering her desperate behavior when she confronted Brooklyn, I don’t doubt she has something up her sleeve.

“We have nothing more to discuss, Ms. Georgiou,” I say.

“You can’t treat me this way,” she protests, losing her composure for the first time and seemingly forgetting about my partners. “We’ve been friends our whole lives. We could’ve been so much more.”

My anger erupts like a volcano. “We’ve beenacquaintances, Febe. I’ve always made it clear that we would be nothing more, and your refusal to accept that I never wanted you . . . that Ineverwill want you . . . has cost you your job.”

“It would’ve been worth it if I could’ve made you see that I’m perfect for you.”

“Brooklyn is perfect for me. She’s the woman who will stay in my life forever. Our professional relationship is over, Febe,but unfortunately, you’ll still be around because of our parents’ friendship. So make a mental note: if you go near my woman again, I swear you’ll regret it. That’s not a threat—it’s a promise.”

Brooklyn

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

The Next Day

“A marriage of convenience?”Eleanor repeats after I tell her and Madison what happened at the hospital.

I nod, trying to look like I’m okay.

I didn’t sleep all night.

Hours after I got home, Athanasios sent me a message with a simple phrase:I fired her.

I know he’s talking about the doctor.

The proud woman inside me wanted to swear up and down that it didn’t matter because he wasn’t my problem anymore, but even in the heat of my anger, I knew that was a lie.

Unlike what I’ve done for most of my life, I can’t lock away the pain of what happened yesterday and throw away the key. It’s too real, and even though I’m still hurt, I know he’s right: it’s not over yet.

I didn’t reply to the message. There was nothing I wanted to say.

“She told me Athanasios wanted a wife of convenience and chose me.”

I leave out the part about the doctor saying he couldn’t have children. That’s far too personal to share.

“That doesn’t make sense, Brooklyn,” Madison says. “I mean, no offense, but if what that witch said is true, you’d be a pretty complicated choice, given your past—your current situation too. I’m not trying to be mean, but he could have any woman he wanted, with far less ‘baggage’ than you have.”

“He admitted he wanted a marriage of convenience.”

“And?” my sister prompts.

“He gave me his word that he would never use me or my children for that.”

“Do you have any reason not to believe that, Brooklyn? Look, I understand that you’re hurt. I almost ended everything with Zeus because of that teenager he was supposed to marry before he met me, but if there’s one thing I learned from our separation, it’s that it’s not fair to turn your back on your partner without even talking. You owe it to him to at least listen, sister.”

“Madison’s right, sweetheart. You’ve fallen for him. I never saw you look at your late partner the way you look at Athanasios. At least sit down and talk to him.”

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