With every step she took toward the door, it felt like her heart was being ripped from her chest. Without allowing herself to glance back, she exited the mansion and walked down the long driveway, to where a taxi was waiting to take her to a hotel for the night. Tomorrow she would catch the ferry back to Infinity Island—where she belonged.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
WOULD THIS WORK?
The next morning, after a few hours of restless sleep, Apollo had his plan in motion. It was the only thing he could think of to change Popi’s mind about leaving—about leaving him for being such a jerk.
Apollo had to admit, for a man used to making decisive decisions in the spur of the moment with potentially deadly consequences, he was totally unsure about this one. Would it be enough to convince her to stay?
The one thing he did know was that she had changed things for him. Little things and big things. And if he didn’t do everything he could to keep her from walking out that door for good, he would lose his chance at happiness. He was certain of that.
He’d heard it said by the elders that there was one true love in the world for each person. Popi was that person for him. And he had to show her that a future with him was worth pursuing. But would she believe him?
It was time to find out. He went to her room and knocked on the door. There was no answer. After he knocked again and called out her name, he opened the door. Her bed was made up as though it hadn’t been slept in. He checked the bathroom, finding no sign of her things. The closet was empty. The dresser was empty.
She was gone.
But why? It was way too early to catch the ferry.
And then his thoughts turned to Seb. Had they both slipped away without even so much as a goodbye? His chest tightened. That couldn’t be. Popi wouldn’t do that, would she?
Apollo rushed down the hallway to the nursery. He barreled through the doorway and came to a halt when he saw Seb in the crib, kicking his feet and smiling up at his mobile.
Apollo rushed over and picked up the baby. “Thank goodness you’re still here. That means Popi must still be here. I have to find her.”
It was then that his gaze strayed across the white envelope on the dresser with his name on it. He knew that writing. It was Popi’s. His heart sunk down to his loafers.
He called for the nanny. Once the baby was tended to, he took the envelope and walked back to his room. He didn’t want to be disturbed when he read what Popi had to say to him.
Apollo,
I’m sorry for disrupting your life in so many ways. I’m sorry for so many things these days. The one thing I’m not sorry for is having Seb and getting a chance to see you with him. You are going to be such a great father. Seb will thrive under your care.
I’m going back to where I belong—back to Infinity Island. In the morning, I will contact my attorney and have the custody case withdrawn. Seb belongs with you.
Take care of yourself,
Popi
Things couldn’t end this way. He had to find her. He had to prove to her that they were better together than apart.
* * *
Life would be better once she returned to Infinity Island.
That’s what Popi had told herself all night—a very long night. Memories of Apollo kept coming one after the other. She missed the sound of his voice, the twinkle in his eyes when he smiled at her and most of all she missed the utter bliss of feeling his arms around her.
But once she made it back to the island, she would be busy. There would be so much to do to get the wedding business back up and operating. There would be receptions to plan. People to talk to. And lots to keep her mind from straying to the two men who meant the world to her.
Leaving was for the best. And she couldn’t take a baby away from his doting uncle and the home that belonged to him. They would get along fine without her—she couldn’t bear to think it would be otherwise.
And maybe someday soon, Apollo would find love—
She halted her thoughts there. The thought of him with someone else was just too painful to contemplate. The best she could do at the moment was to hope he found happiness.
The long, low blow of the ferry whistle let her know it was time to move to the dock. And yet she didn’t move. She didn’t want to move.
The truth was she’d been happy in Athens with Apollo and Seb. Happier than she’d ever been in her life. Her mind began to replay snippets of memories, from their walks in the garden to their shared meals to their candlelit dinner, where they danced beneath the stars. That had been such a perfect night. Too perfect.