“I believe you,” Andreas stated. “But she’s terrified that this will cause a devastating scandal for all families concerned if it comes out. No one wants that.”
Guion moaned.
“I’ve come to you for one reason. Do you want to be a father to Ari and share in visitation? If you do, Lia lives with her parents in Athens. You would have to travel there. It’s what I have to do so I can be with Ari. He’s the light of my life.”
His love for his boy caused Zoe’s eyelids to smart.
The man’s hands went to his face. “My first wife has remarried, but we have a daughter together named Cecile. I send child support and try to see her. At present I’m separated from my second wife, but it’s not what I want.
“I’ve lost family money trying to start other businesses. My cousin Philippe is helping me out right now so I can get back together with Vivige and my son Dominic. But if I tell her the truth, that I was drunk that weekend in Athens with friends who talked me into going to a party on the Palaskas yacht, she’ll never take me back. It didn’t mean anything. That night was a complete blur and I’ve despised myself for what I did, but it’s too late.”
“If you love her, then you need to convince her.” Zoe loved Andreas for saying that.
“I do, but she’ll never accept my having been unfaithful and producing another child that isn’t ours.”
Zoe’s eyes fused with Andreas’s. They could both see the man had to be overwhelmed with guilt and problems.
Guion’s lined face lifted. “Are you saying no one knows about this?”
Andreas shook his head. “Eliana Palaskas is Lia’s best friend and has probably figured it out by now. My grandparents know, and Zoe knows, plus my attorney and Lia’s.”
“But not Lia’s parents?”
“No. You have my word no one else from my world will ever know if you decide not to claim him. It’s entirely up to you.”
“I can’t think right now.”
“I understand,” Andreas said with compassion. “I have pictures of Ari from two days ago on my cell phone. Would you like to see him?”
He shook his head. “You’ve been his father all this time. It would be best if I never see him and he never finds out.”
“I can’t promise that, Guion. One day Ari might find out by accident, the way I did because of the wrong blood type. I intend to tell him when he’s ready. If you decide you want no contact ever, then he’ll be told. I’d advise you to talk this over with an attorney and get back to mine. Is there anyone you can confide in about this? Someone you trust?”
“Philippe always has my back.”
Andreas nodded. “That’s good. Tell you what. We’re going to fly back to Patras tonight. I’ll give you my attorney’s card. When or if you want to get in touch with me, call him and he’ll arrange it. I won’t be coming to Nice again or bothering you in any way.”
“You’re an amazing man, Gavras.”
How many times had Zoe said the same thing about Andreas? “Monsieur Norville? I hope you won’t mind if I say something here. I never knew my parents or their names or their backgrounds. Nothing. I was raised in two foster families until I turned eighteen. I’d give anything on earth to know even the slightest detail about either of my real parents.
“Your birth son Ari is so lucky because you are alive and could be reached if it’s what he wants one day. Should you decide not to acknowledge him ever, would you at least consider leaving the situation open legally in case he’d just like to see you one time? Talk to you? Write to you? Get a sense of his genetic makeup? Anything?”
He looked at her for a minute. “I’m sorry you never knew your parents.”
“If that’s true, then please consider it for his sake.”
“I’ll think about what you said.” He turned to Andreas. “I need to get back to work.”
Andreas put out his hand. After a slight hesitation, Guion shook it and climbed out of the limo. Before he walked away, he looked at Zoe. “You’re amazing, too.”
After he walked back in the building, Andreas clutched her in his arms, burying his face in her hair. “You’re beyond awesome, Zoe. Because of you, I was able to talk to him without raising suspicions. You’re an angel who made all this possible and I’m in your debt forever.”
She clung to him, knowing what all this meant to him. “I feel for him, Andreas. I admire you so much for showing him the compassion you did. There’s no one to match you.” Zoe kissed the side of his neck, loving this man and his humanity.
He pulled out his phone. “I’m going to call Yorgos right now and tell him what’s happening. I’ll put it on speaker. Then I want to devote the rest of this day to you. I thought we’d drive over to the old town.
“There’s a restaurant in a basement with walls of stone and brick. They restored some cellars and serve delicious cheese fondue. After that we’ll walk around and visit some Impressionist museums if you’d like.”