Husband By Request

“Like what?” Andreas questioned.

“For one thing it’s obvious she’s undergone reconstructive surgery, which is a huge expense.

“For another, having contracted cancer so early in her life, I’m sure her doctor has told her it’s more than possible it’s going to come back. For all we know her physician may have suggested she have another mastectomy as a preventative measure. She may need more money for that.”

Andreas cringed, because Olympia had just touched on the one area that filled him with terror.

“If the cancer spreads, it’s inevitable she’ll be facing more battles in the future. When you think about it, her hospital bills could end up being enormous.”

Bile rose in his throat.

“We both know she’s not a mercenary person, and would never beg you for anything. She has too much pride for that—otherwise she wouldn’t have left the courtroom without hearing any testimony. Her abandonment of you reveals an immaturity which shouldn’t have surprised you, considering her young age.”

Dominique had abandoned him all right. The memory of it ate at him like a corrosive acid.

“But I’m thinking that now you’ve finally decided to give her the divorce, she’s panicked. After looking ahead at the years to come, she probably decided to fly here in order to ensure there’ll be some kind of a medical fund set up for her care. Just think if she has to go into the hospital over and over throughout her life, for chemo treatments or more surgery.”

Haunted by the thought, Andreas’s mind flooded with memories of last night, when he’d told her he never wanted to see her again. What if Olympia was right and Dominique was facing more surgery, but hadn’t been able to bring herself to tell him?

“I recall her mentioning how much she hated being a burden on her parents,” Olympia continued, unaware of the tremendous upheaval going on inside him. “With her father a salaried government employee, it only makes sense she would seek you out for financial help, even though she didn’t think about that when she first asked for the divorce. But a year has gone by, and with it probably more surgery. No doubt paying more doctor bills has forced her to ponder her precarious position.”

“I don’t want to talk about it anymore.”

“Of course not. But to remain in denial won’t make the truth go away, Andreas. She always was a quiet little thing. It’s probably very hard for her to talk about her cancer with you.”

Olympia understood a lot more than Andreas had given her credit for. Dominique had always shut him out when it came to the subject of her health. He’d had to tread carefully in order not to make her retreat inside herself.

But those days were over.

Seeing her again had left him reeling. It was time to act on his feelings before his agony reached its zenith.

“I’m flying to Athens.”

“You can look for her, but you won’t find her if she doesn’t want to be found,” Olympia reminded him. “Why not stay on the yacht with me and wait? She’ll be back when she’s ready. You know how timid she is. She’s probably hiding somewhere while she musters up the courage to approach you again.”

“I’ve done enough waiting,” he ground out. Olympia had always been on his side, but, so help him, he couldn’t think, let alone talk right now.

In the next breath he’d phoned Myron and alerted him he needed to go ashore.

Once the launch had ferried him to the pier, he phoned Paul. All he got was his voicemail. Cursing under his breath, he walked to the village and grabbed a cup of coffee while he waited for the chopper.

As he was draining the last of it, his cellphone rang. He checked the caller ID and clicked on.

“What in the name of heaven happened, Paul?” he thundered.

“Over the years I’ve been willing to do anything for you, Andreas. But when it comes to your wife you ask too much. If you want to fire me, go ahead.”

His hand tightened on the phone. “Where is she?” he demanded.

“I have no idea.”

“Did she appear ill to you?”

“Ill?” There was a long silence. “No. But you know she’s a master at hiding anything of a personal nature.”

Andreas took a deep breath. “It was your job to find out what business she had in Athens!”

“I’m not her husband.”