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Stavros and Adonis came in from the beach.
Leo looked anxiously at Stavros. “Any word?” he asked, keeping his voice low.
“She’s booked a flight to Paris,” Stavros said. “Probably headed to her sister’s.”
Leo worried his lower lip. “Get the jet ready. I’m going after her.”
Stavros laid a hand on his arm. “I have a better idea.”
Leo watched his parents feed Nefeli and care for Adonis while Stavros explained his plan in hushed tones.
“Are you in?” Stavros asked.
Leo frowned at the carpet. “It’s risky. She might not come back.”
“She loves those children as much as you do. She’ll come. She’ll be angry, but she’ll come.”
Leo shook his head. “I don’t want to manipulate her. That’s what made her hate the wealthy in the first place.”
“Do you want to live the rest of your life without her?” Stavros raised a brow.
“No.”
“Papa, where’s Rose?” Nefeli asked, looking around.
And that one question made Leo’s decision easy. “She needed to fly home unexpectedly, but she’ll be back soon.”
Stavros nodded. “I’ll put the plan in motion.”
Leo ran a hand through his hair. “You’d better be right.”
“The building has already exploded. Now you have to build on the rubble. I’ll make the calls.”
Leo nodded and turned to his family, grateful his parents were here to help him through a tough moment. He clapped his hands. “Eat up. When you’re done, we’re packing up. We’re going home.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
Paris
Rose fell into Marie’s arms when she opened the door. Relief at having kept it together consumed her, and then the floodgates opened as all her heartache and pain spilled out.
“Rose?” Marie’s boot clomped on the hardwood floor as she sat them on the sofa, Rose sobbing on her shoulder.
In a garbled rush, Rose told the whole painful story of Leo’s duplicity.
Marie stroked her hair. “I can see why you’re upset.”
Rose wiped her eyes and blew her nose with a tissue.
“You really love him.” Marie handed her another tissue.
“That’s the worst part.” Rose blew her nose again and crumpled the used tissues in her hand. Her head felt heavy and her eyes felt puffy.
“Not really.” Marie placed her hands in her lap.
“What do you mean?” Rose sniffed.
“You have to go back.”