“I avoided you.” Gregory bent his head and nervously crumbled the scone between his fingers. “You suddenly appeared and we thought you were planning to cause trouble. We should have recognized that you were still grieving the loss of your mother and needed to be around family.”
“We?” she asked dully. She should have known her stepmother had a say in this.
“You know, Mairi and me,” he explained. “And Stergios.”
“Stergios?” She stiffened her spine. She couldn’t imagine how he had poisoned her father’s opinion of her. “What does he have to do about this?”
“He recommended I drop by and check on you once I finished my trip in Toronto.” Gregory Little shrugged. “He acted as if it was urgent but you seem fine.”
She didn’t understand. How would that punish her? Jodie’s head ached as she tried to understand his strategy. Did he think her father would drop by and notice her pregnant belly? Why would he care? Why did he bother? Jodie knew she was dead to him.
“Do you already have plans for Christmas?” her father asked.
“Some invitations have already trickled in but I haven’t made any commitments.” None of the traditional gatherings had interested her. But the promise of spending the holidays with family? It was something she had yearned for over the past few years and it was too good to pass up. “Who all will be there?”
“All of the family and a few close friends. Shall I expect you?”
Jodie bit her lip, her heart pounding against her chest, as she considered her options. She was afraid to accept. If she said yes, it meant she would have to see Stergios. But if she said no, she knew her father would not extend this kind of invitation again.
“I would love to, Dad,” she said with a smile. “I can’t wait.”
CHAPTER NINE
JODIE CLENCHED THE banister and slowly descended the grand staircase of the Antoniou estate. Holiday decorations swathed the limestone walls and the tallest, fattest Christmas tree sat in the center of the entrance hall. She heard a harp being played in the music room and watched the other guests stand around and chat as they drank the finest champagne.
Her silver dress sparkled under the chandeliers but she wasn’t in a festive mood. She pressed her lips as she searched the well-dressed crowd. Her heart stopped and she jolted with surprise when she saw Stergios.
His dark hair was shorn and ruthlessly tamed, emphasizing the sleek shape of his head. Stergios’s angular jaw was clean-shaven and his dark suit fitted his sleek, athletic body. He had tamed the wildness within. He was a commanding presence, a man who ruled all he could see.
When his lips tilted in a tender smile, Jodie stared at the transformation on his face. He looked younger. Happy. It took her a moment to realize that look was for the woman next to him. Aleka Diamantopoulos. Jodie’s stomach heaved; she watched as the young woman shyly blossomed under Stergios’s attention.
He had never smiled like that. Not at her. She hadn’t made him that happy or content. Jodie wanted to look away but she couldn’t. She took in a reedy breath as her body tensed with jealousy. What was so special about Aleka?
Jodie didn’t see an engagement ring on the shipping heiress’s finger but she knew it was only a matter of time. She looked away as the dull, aching pain coiled her chest. A giant solitaire representing Stergios’s wealth, status and power was probably gift wrapped and tucked in his jacket.
She knew she should have canceled this trip but she didn’t want to. She couldn’t. Not only would it make it unlikely that she’d get another invitation, but there was something she had to do in person.
She glanced in Stergios’s direction again and saw him staring at her. His smile disappeared and she shrank back from his contemptuous gaze. Jodie turned abruptly and regretted it. She squeezed her eyes shut and fought for balance. She knew better than to make sharp turns. Or wear stiletto heels.
Or visit Athens, she thought. The doctor had given her permission to travel, but it was courting disaster. But she had to see Stergios one last time.
Because she was carrying his baby.
Panic fluttered in her veins and she splayed her hand against her stomach. Six weeks ago she had discovered she was pregnant. At first she’d been thrilled and shared the news with her closest friends. But she had been reluctant to inform Stergios.
How could she tell him? She had made such a mess of things. Jodie bowed her head as the tears pricked her eyes. She had lied to Stergios and made claims so he would stay away. Her decisions had turned out to be for the best. Stergios was getting the life he wanted and the wife he needed. An unexpected pregnancy would change all of that.