“Well, he looked fine when I talked to him.” Zoe wasn’t about to tell Demetrius what else they’d discussed such as her loving his son.
Demetrius’s mouth opened but nothing came out.
“What?” Concern filled her. “Demetrius, what’s the matter?”
“I think my father is playing matchmaker.”
She’d gotten that feeling earlier at the palace, but she never thought the king would take it this far. Her gaze lifted and met Demetrius’s. Her heart pitter-pattered faster and faster. If only...
“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of this. I’ll make it clear to my father that you and I are through.” Demetrius’s tone lacked emotion. And then he turned away. “Who’s ready for some presents? Ho-ho-ho.”
Demetrius was a far better actor than she. It took all of her determination to keep her eyes from misting up. If it wasn’t for the hopeful faces and the excited voices, she’d have never made it through the afternoon.
They never had a chance to speak privately again. She told herself that it was for the best. The less contact they had the better it’d be.
But none of those excuses eased the pain. She loved Demetrius more now than the day she’d married him. And even if she didn’t have the threat of that dreaded disease hanging over her head, Demetrius didn’t want her. He’d finally realized she wasn’t cut out to be a princess—his princess.
* * *
He couldn’t get Zoe out of his thoughts.
Demetrius paced back and forth in his office. It was the only peaceful place in the palace. Tonight was the Royal Christmas Ball and he’d given the entire staff the day off in order to prepare for the big event.
“I thought I’d find you down here.”
Demetrius stopped pacing and glanced up to find his twin, Alex, standing in the doorway. “When did you get back from the States?”
“Last night. I thought I’d see you at dinner—”
“I wasn’t hungry.” He’d barely eaten a bite since his relationship with Zoe had disintegrated right before his eyes.
“From the looks of you, I’d say along with giving up food, you’ve given up shaving and combing your hair.”
Demetrius sent his brother a cold, hard stare. “Leave me alone.”
“Not until you hear me out.”
“I don’t need a lecture. I need to be alone.” If Alex wasn’t going to leave, Demetrius would. He started for the door, but Alex moved in his way.
Alex gave him a wary look as though trying to decide if he was going to have to tackle him to the ground to make him stay in place. “It looks like I got back just in time. Someone needs to talk some sense into you.”
Demetrius raked his fingers through his hair, not caring what he looked like. That was the least of his problems. “You don’t know what’s going on.”
“Actually, I know a lot more than you think. Papa’s very worried about you. He’s filled me in on what he knows. What I don’t understand is how a stalker reporter broke you and Zoe up.”
“Do you really want to know?”
Alex nodded and Demetrius let it all spill out. His worry that the title of princess would bring more pain to Zoe’s life than any joy he could give her. His fear that something would happen to Zoe like had happened to their mother. He just couldn’t be responsible for any harm coming to Zoe.
Alex reached out and squeezed his shoulder. “It isn’t easy. I won’t pretend that love and marriage don’t require putting yourself out there. If this Zoe is the right lady for you, you have to take the risk.”
“But what if something happens to her? I’ll never forgive myself.”
“If you’re looking for guarantees, there aren’t any. But is it worth it to give up the woman you love over a what-if scenario?”
His brother had a point. But that wasn’t the only thing eating at him. Zoe had a secret—a really big secret.
“But how am I supposed to open up to her about my worries when she’s afraid to tell me what she’s most afraid of?” It tore him up that she wouldn’t trust him with the information.
“It sounds like you already know what it is.”
“I do. I’ve known for a while. She’s afraid she’s going to end up with Alzheimer’s like her mother.”
Alex didn’t say anything for a moment as the news sunk in. “That’s a really big deal. I can’t blame her for being scared.”