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“What?” Rose jumped up. “I can’t go back. Did you not hear anything I said?” She paced.
“The permanent nanny can’t be there for forty-eight hours.”
“You can go,” Rose said. “You can do it for two days in a boot.”
“It’s not the boot that’s keeping me here.”
It was Rose’s turn to look bewildered at her sister. Clearly there was something she was missing. “I can’t go. One look and I’ll fall in love with him all over again. But I can’t love him. He lied to me. Going back to Leo is like sending me into the lion’s den and hoping I’ll come out unharmed. Impossible. If I let him explain . . .” She collapsed next to her sister and rubbed a hand across her forehead.
“You should let him explain, if only to get closure.”
“But you—”
“Rose.” Marie took her hands. “I’m pregnant.” Marie offered a small smile.
Rose’s mouth fell open. “What? When? How?”
Marie laughed. “I think you know how.” Her eyes turned misty. “We were taking a break between treatments. I’m thirteen weeks along, and everything looks fine.” A tear spilled down her cheek. “I didn’t want to say anything until I passed the first trimester. I’ve never made it this far before.”
Rose embraced her sister, and they both cried tears of joy.
“I’m so happy for you,” Rose pulled back and wiped at her eyes. “Both of you. All three of you.”
“But that’s why I can’t travel. I’m not taking any chances.”
Rose nodded. Her shoulders slumped. “I understand.” Her heart turned to lead at the thought of facing Stavros, no, Leo.
“I’ll take you to the airport,” Marie said.
“I’ll find a flight on the way.” Rose sighed.
“No need. Mr. P sent his plane for you.”
Anger bubbled inside of Rose. “Oh, he did, did he? He thinks he can snap his fingers, send his private plane, and I’ll come running back to him?” Her fist struck the sofa cushion.
Marie closed her eyes and took a deep breath and then opened her eyes. “Rose, Leo isn’t Robert’s family. Not all the wealthy are created equal.”
“Agreed. Some of them are worse than others.” Rose’s face felt ablaze with righteous indignation.
“But not Leo,” Marie said. Her face went pale, and she put a hand over her mouth. “Excuse me.” She bolted for the bathroom, with Rose hot on her heels.
When Marie was done emptying her stomach, she rocked back on her heels and flushed the toilet. She rinsed her mouth with tap water and splashed some water on her face.
“Morning sickness?” Rose watched her sister with concern as she stood in the bathroom doorway.
Marie chuckled and smoothed her ponytail. “Morning, afternoon, evening.” She patted her flat abdomen. “The baby doesn’t seem to care.” She looked over at Rose. “I never had sickness like this with the others.”
“Maybe it’s a sign that this baby will come through.”
“Ironic that being constantly sick could be a good sign.”
“I’m surprised you’re still ill. Usually it lets up around the second trimester. At least it did for me.” The familiar ache squeezed her heart as she thought of her little boy.
Marie shrugged. “The doctor said sometimes it lasts the whole pregnancy.” She gave a wry smile. “Lucky me. But if I can hold a living breathing him or her, the sacrifice will be worth it.”
Rose thought of the sacrifices Marie was willing to make to protect her child. She remembered a conversation with Leo about Mr. P having gone into hiding to get away from the gold diggers. Perhaps that was his way of protecting Nefeli and Adonis too. Her heart missed the children. She knew if she were a mother again, she’d do anything to protect her children. Her shoulders slumped. She needed to return to Greece.
“What is it?” Marie laid a hand on her shoulder.