Page 23 of The Greek Billionaire's Email Bride

She cried his name out against his hand.

Locked her legs around his waist as he came inside of her.

I love him. I love him. I love him.

There was no hiding from the truth now.

She loved him.

So much.

But would he ever love her back?

Chapter Seven

Hope adjusted the shawl draped across her shoulders and did her best to smile as camera lights flashed around her. Life as Mrs. Colin Soukoulis lately was best summed up as attending one ball after another, and she had decided to take things one day at a time so as not to be swept away by the surrealness of it.

Another week had passed since their first night together. She had been sleeping in his bed ever since. Keeping him company at work. Wherever he went, he wanted her with him. What they could do together, they did. But one thing they had yet to discuss was the future of their marriage.

Tonight's ball had laid out separate red carpets for men and women, and when Hope entered the ballroom, she saw that Colin wasn't yet at their table. There was not a single familiar face either...except forRoland?

The last time she had seen him was on the first day of Colin's high school reunion. She had heard rumors about his troubled marriage with Princess, and the latter's words had as good as confirmed this. The other woman had also implied, albeit in not so many words, that he would soon move away...while leaving his wife to fend for herself on her own.

Unease stirred inside of Hope when she realized Roland was heading straight at her.

"Hello, Hope."

He looked discomfited and determined at the same time, and Hope's unease grew. Was he about to ask her something about Colin and—

"I know you have no reason to believe me, but Maria..." Relief flashed over his features when he seemed to spot someone behind her. "There she is."

Hope turned in time to see another woman join them. Short curly hair, a pleasantly round face, and eyes that were both cheerful and wise.

"This is Maria, my fiancée."

His...what?

Maria nodded understandingly. "It's just as we suspect. Princess hasn't told anyone about the divorce, has she?"

Hope shook her head. "I had no idea." Did Colin? And if he did, why had he never told her?

"Princess made a deal with Roland. She would agree to a quick divorce and not make a fuss...but only if he agreed to keep their separation a secret."

"For what reason?" Hope asked in confusion.

"To earn everyone's pity," Maria said bluntly. "Your husband's, most of all. Roland had to declare bankruptcy three months ago. Princess had taken out loans without him knowing, and all so she could live like a queen."

"I did my best to provide for her," Roland said reluctantly. "But it was never enough for her."

"When Roland asked for a divorce," Maria continued, "it was around the same time she received the invitation to the reunion. Right after that, she came up with her own deal. She would sign the papers, but he had to keep it a secret."

Hope could only listen in growing disbelief and unease as the two took turns in explaining the rest of their story. When Maria realized what price Roland had to pay for his divorce, she had been adamant that Roland talk to her or Colin.

'What you do about this knowledge is up to you. We just didn't want the destruction of your marriage on our conscience.'

The couple's words continued to linger in Hope's thoughts even though the couple was long gone, and the ballroom suddenly felt too noisy and stifling. She sought escape by meansof the surrounding gardens through one of the double doors, and Hope struggled to keep her silk heels from sinking as she followed a winding path bordered by sculptured hedges and marble statues of Greek deities.

What do I do now?

---