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"See what’s waiting for you, huh? They’re in sync, like they can read each other’s minds."
"I’m so excited for them to be born. I don’t even care about sleepless nights; I just want to look at my babies’ faces."
I smile, happy to see her joy. "I think I’ll have another slice of cake, Mom. It’s so light and soft. Athanasios isn’t coming to pick me up for dinner until around eight, anyway."
I’m getting up when one of the bodyguards, who usually stays outside keeping watch in a car, walks into the kitchen.
"Dr. Athanasios asks that the young lady answer her phone," he tells me.
I roll my eyes.
It’s been exactly half an hour since I left my phone in my room, but Mr. Control Freak can’t handle even the slightest disobedience.
I head to my room and return the call.
"Is everything okay?" he asks as soon as I pick up.
I’m torn between being annoyed by the overreaction and touched by the concern. In the end, I decide there’s no reason to argue. "Yes, everything’s fine. I left my phone in my room. I was in the kitchen with my family, having a snack."
"The twins are already home, right?"
God, this is why I can’t stay mad at this man. Even though his dominant nature borders on madness, he remembers little details like the time my kids get home from daycare, which makes me melt inside like hot caramel sauce.
"Yes, and they’re full of energy today. It’s like their batteries never run out."
He lets out one of his rare laughs. "It’s good they’re awake. I was counting on it."
"Why?"
"Go to the living room door, but don’t hang up the phone."
I walk to the house’s entrance, and when I get there, everyone’s already gathered, probably because Athanasios instructed the security guards to tell my family to go there, too.
"What’s going on?" I ask him.
"Open the door, Brooklyn."
I grip the doorknob, knowing that whatever is outside must be a good surprise because his voice sounds like that of a boy about to pull off a prank.
God, don’t let me fall so fast,I pray silently, though deep down, I know it’s already happened.
I’m not the type to surrender the way I have to him unless my heart is fully in the game. Athanasios won me over without me even realizing it, and now I find myself on a path of no return.
"Aren’t you going to open the door?"
"I’m working up the courage."
“Don’t be silly. Not every surprise is bad, Brooklyn. I’ll show you that for the rest of our lives.”
For the rest of our lives.
His words send a shiver of pleasure through me, but I push the feeling away because it’s too dangerous to trust them.
"What’s happening?" Eleanor asks.
"I think there’s a surprise outside, but he doesn’t want to tell me what it is."
"Come on, Brooklyn, don’t be a coward."