Page 52 of Forgotten Deeds

We take a seat at a cute table with mismatched chairs underneath the pergola. “This is so beautiful,” I comment, taking in the surrounding flowering trees swaying in the breeze, the stunning valley below us.

“Ε?σαι τ?σο ?μορφη,” he tells me.

Before I can ask for a translation, Kat appears with a pretty Greek woman around our age. “Hey.” Kat waves, and she and her companion join us. “This is my friend, Zoe. Zoe, of course you know Darius, and this is his wife, Lily, and his stepdaughter, Iris.”

Darius stands, and he and Zoe greet each other in Greek before exchanging a hug.

My jaw clenching, I now regret choosing Latin as my language requirement for my degree instead of Greek. I take a deep breath, trying not to be so triggered—just because Harrison was a cheating asshole, that doesn’t mean Darius will be.

“Hello,” I say, standing and offering Zoe my hand.

Wondering if I’ve made a cultural mistake when she just looks at it, she says something in Greek to Darius before taking my hand and finally addressing me. “Nice to meet you,” she says in perfect English.

Feeling extremely self-conscious as the woman continues her unabashed appraisal of me, I take a seat.

“Darius, Kat told me you were back. And married. I had to see for my own eyes,” Zoe exclaims.

“Happily married,” Darius takes a seat beside me, grabbing my hand and giving it a squeeze. “What have you been up to, Zoe?”

“I’m on break from uni. How fabulous we’re all here on holiday together!” I play with my evil eye charm on my necklace, not sharing in her enthusiasm.

“Lily’s also a university student,” Darius comments.

“Oh,” she says, feigning interest.

“I go to Miss Mary’s,” Iris adds proudly.

“Sorry?” Zoe asks.

“It’s a preschool,” I explain.

“How nice,” she says dismissively. Turning her attention back to Darius, she says, “Is this the first time you’ve been back, since you up and left your girlfriend without so much as a goodbye?” So she’s the ex-girlfriend—clearly upset about the ex part.

“You can’t be Darius’ girlfriend. He’s married to my mama,” Iris informs Zoe, and it takes all my willpower not to high five my daughter.

“Right you are, rainbow goddess.” Darius winks at Iris, bringing our hands up and kissing the top of mine.

“Zoe, it was so nice to catch up. Thanks for dropping me off,” Kat hints.

“Of course.” Zoe eyes Darius and my interlocked hands before giving Kat a hug. Turning to Darius, Zoe says something in Greek, and he replies.

“Be right back, ladies,” Darius says in English, releasing my hand and following a smiling Zoe. I suddenly feel like I’m going to throw up. So much for not being triggered.

“Sorry about that. Zoe offered to drop me off, but I didn’t know she was going to be weird about it,” Kat explains.

“Not your fault. Is there a restroom?” I ask, feeling like I’m about to break down in tears, and would rather do so out of my daughter’s presence.

“Inside, and go straight back past the kitchen,” Kat tells me.

“Be back in a little bit,” I say, stepping inside.

I’m passing the kitchen, when a beautiful Greek woman in her mid-forties wearing an apron appears in the doorway. “You must be Lily.”

“Hello. You must be Darius’ mom. It’s nice to meet—”

“Do you love my son?” she demands.

“Yes,” I answer, taken aback by her bluntness.

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