Love always has a winner, and a loser. A conqueror and a conquered. I decided long ago I never wanted to be either.
She’d thought, when Stavros married her, he’d changed his mind. But he hadn’t. He just wanted them to be a family.
So did she.
Holly took a deep breath. Maybe she could love him enough for both of them, she tried to tell herself. If Stavros treated her well, if he cherished her, couldn’t that be enough? As long as he was a good father, and a good husband? As long as he spent time with them? Which she was sure he would, as soon as this business deal was over.
Stavros might not be in love with her, but he cared about her. After all, he’d arranged a big birthday party for her tonight. A sort of surprise party, their first social event as a married couple. All their friends and family would be there.
She just had to focus on the positive. She was twenty-eight now, a married lady with a baby. It was time to grow up.
She could live without her husband’s love.
Lifting her mouth into a smile as she reached the café, she pushed the stroller inside. She saw her little sister sitting at a nearby table, her face in her hands. Next to her on the table, there was a small birthday gift beside a large coffee mug.
Holly parked the stroller beside the small table. “Nicole?”
Her sister looked up. Tears were streaking her face.
“What is it?” Holly cried, horrified.
“I just got a call from Oliver,” she whispered. “Stavros canceled the annuity. So he’s leaving me.”
“Oh, no!”
“He’s moving in with someone else.” Her voice choked. “A rich older woman who can give him the lifestyle he deserves.”
Sitting in a nearby chair, Holly pulled Nicole into her arms as her baby sister cried against her shoulder.
“I’m so sorry, Nicole,” she whispered, rubbing her back. “This is my fault. I told Stavros he shouldn’t pay Oliver to be married to you. You deserve more. Marriage should be about love, not money.” But as her sister’s crying only increased, Holly blurted out, “I’m sorry.”
Nicole pulled away, wiping her eyes. “This is your fault, Holly. Your fault for trying to take care of me, even when I didn’t deserve it. You fault for always thinking I was wonderful, even when I was a total jerk. Even when I stole the man you wanted.”
“Stole...” Nicole had tried to steal Stavros? Holly stared at her, confused. Then she understood and exhaled in relief. “Oh, you mean Oliver.”
“I knew you had a huge crush on him as his secretary,” Nicole sniffed. “But I still took him. And now the universe is punishing me as I deserve.”
“You’re wrong,” Holly said. “Oliver was never mine. The romantic dream kept me company, that was all. It was never real. You didn’t take anything from me, Nicole. You don’t deserve anything but love!”
“That’s what I mean,” her little sister said, shaking her head as she gave a tremulous smile. “Even when I’ve been horrible to you, you find a way to see me in the best possible light.” She wiped her tears. “When Mom and Dad died, you gave up everything to raise me. I never appreciated that. It’s only now I realize how selfish I’ve been.”
“Oh, Nicole...”
Her sister took a deep breath, leaning back into her own chair. “It’s time for me to strike out on my own. The fact that Oliver has left makes it easier.”
“You don’t have to be alone. Come stay with us for Christmas. There’s plenty of room!”
Nicole shook her head. “I’m going to visit my old roommate up in Vermont. Her family has a ski resort, you know, a little one, which they operate on a shoestring. I need some time away, to figure out what to do with my life.” She paused. “Besides. You have your own problems.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Like I said. You always see the best in people, Holly. Even when they don’t deserve it. You see what you want to see with those rose-colored glasses. Oliver. Me.” She tilted her head. “Stavros.”
“You think I don’t see him how he really is?” she said slowly.
Her sister’s eyes challenged her. “Do you love him?”
Holly took a deep breath. The truth forced itself from her lips. “Yes.”