Page 7 of Modern Romance October 2025 5-8

‘I chase after no one,’ he finally said harshly. ‘Certainly not a runaway bride.’

Of course he didn’t. He’d known where she was all this time and he’d not bothered to make contact because Ares Vasiliadis was a selfish loner who didn’t like being backed into a situation he couldn’t control. He didn’t like being told what to do. Not by anyone.

She’dthoughthe was like her. A hard-working person from a normal background. He’d allowed her to believe it for that first week when they’d met. Until he had her where he wanted her already—in his arms and breathlessly saying yes to everything. She’d been so malleable. So gullible. So easy for him to manipulate. Because he was so used to getting what he wanted—the arrogant and entitled heir of one of the wealthiest families in the world who lived an entirely different existence from hers.

She hadn’t known any of that until it was too late—because he’d controlled everything about his situation. He hadn’t had the decency to read her in on the reality. He’d let her believe he cared about her. Let her declare her passionate love for him like the naïve lovestruck fool she’d been. She’d trusted and willingly given him all she had. But he hadn’t wanted her love. She’d naïvely thought his reticence to talk about his past had been part of their bonding because she too had wounds. But it had been part of his play. She’d seen only what he’d allowed her to see, known only what little he’d been willing to share.

But that trip to Athens after their wedding had revealed things he’d wanted to conceal for longer. He’d told her they were going to finalise paperwork, make arrangements for her new bank cards and the like. She’d been desperately nervous arriving at his family ‘compound’—the word alone setting off alarm bells. It had beenenormous. Super formal and cold. Which was exactly how Ares had turned the second he stepped across the threshold.

Too late she’d discovered he had no intention of bringing her fully into his life. It was only thanks to a passing comment from his stepmother, Gia, followed by a frantic Internet translation of the Greek social pages, that she’d discovered that he’d long been meant to marry someone else. Apparently the engagement between Ares Vasiliadis and Sophia Dimou was finally imminent. The numerous photos of his prospective fiancée had triggered every insecurity Bethan had. The woman was beautiful, wealthy, accomplished, perfectlyappropriate. Gia’s words had whipped open the scars left by schoolgirl bullies and caused far deeper wounds. It had been unfathomable to Bethan—and of course the rest of the world—why Ares had opted to marryherin such a hasty, impulsive rush instead. So she’d actually grown some courage and asked him. That was when she’d discovered how impervious he was to anyone else’s feelings. He’d already gone quiet and self-contained. In that instant he’d turned to ice.

He hadn’t denied the engagement rumours, just dismissed them as irrelevant. Then he’d made her feel even more inferior by coolly informing her that she wouldn’t have to come to Athens much ifshefound it too stressful...

But Athens was whereheworked. Where his family was. The family she’d hoped to fit into. She’d realised he wasashamedof her—that he didn’t want her with him when he was around those people. He’d gone so remote. When she’d asked if he loved her, he’d not even bothered to answer.

She’d been so heartbroken she couldn’t stay. Insecure and desperate, she’d run. And he’d let her. So much for her love story for the ages—the whole thing had been too good to be true. He’d betrayed her trust and broken her dreams and Bethan absolutelyhatedhim.

But at least now he wanted their marriage to be over and she could hardly be hurt more when she wanted the same. Except the soul-destroying truth was she still was physically attracted to him while that last part of her romantic self still ached for the idyllic ‘big family dream’ she’d woven around him. Her childhood home had been a safe shelter from the misery at school. Her grandmother had loved her, spent hours teaching her traditional skills, telling her stories of her parents, of her own relationship, until she’d become ill. Her father had spent what time he had ashore teaching her everythinghecould too and it was wonderful. But he had been posted away more often than not. So while she’d been loved, she’d been lonely.

She’d longed for a husband who loved her and children—wanting them to have the siblings she’d not had. She’d planned a life filled with people and joy because therehadbeen joy at home until she’d lost them both. She’d just wantedmore. For five minutes she’d thought she could build that with Ares. But she’d not indulged in that foolish fantasy at all in the time since she’d left him. She’d focused on building an independent life for herself. She didn’t want or need a partner. Her career was fulfilling—creative and growing. She was proud of what she’d achieved and her girlfriends provided the safe, supportive emotional haven she’d missed.

But right now Elodie was away and Phoebe was coping with an unplanned pregnancy and heartbreak. Shehadn’tbeen up waiting for Bethan tonight. Bethan had figured she’d gone to bed early, so had left her a quick note explaining she’d be away for a couple of days and not to worry—certainly not mentioned ‘the Greek’. She would talk to them about him fully when she got back. Hopefully she’d be able to because this would be truly over.

She ignored him the rest of the brief drive. She wasn’t going to attempt small talk—there was no need to fill the silence. She’d learned to control her nervous babbling. Mostly. The only thing to focus on was that this could be over quickly and with minimal impact. Shewasdifferent. Wiser, more confident. She wouldn’t let Ares walk all over her again. It was only a few hours to endure. She would go to Greece, secure the end of their mockery of a marriage and finally be free.

The driver turned into the hotel drop-off zone. It was predictably luxurious. Naturally his sumptuous penthouse suite had a stunning view. Without a word she marched straight into the bedroom that was clearly uninhabited and locked the door.

She showered. Got into bed. Tried to relax. Fell asleep for five minutes before waking—heart racing—from a steamy dream. She tossed, turned, tangled in the top sheet until, too plagued by memories, she abandoned the idea of sleep altogether. Something ice cold might settle her furnace of a body. By now Ares would surely be asleep so she could grab something from the bar in the lounge. She was halfway across the room when she spotted him silently watching her from the sofa near the window.

‘Are you seriously keeping guard because you think I’m going to sneak out in the middle of the night?’ she jeered furiously.

‘No.’ He shot her a withering glance. ‘I’m working.’

Shirtless. On the sofa. With his laptop on the low table in front of him. Bethan’s inner furnace was on full meltdown.

His gaze narrowing, he stood and stepped towards her. ‘What’s wrong?’

She gaped at his half-naked body. Failed to drag her eyes away. Just as she’d always failed. He was even more perfect—muscled, lean, bronzed.

‘What do you need?’ he prompted huskily.

‘I was thirsty,’ she mumbled, backing away. ‘But it doesn’t matter.’

He veered away from her. For another second Bethan still stared—taking in the way his broad back tapered to slim hips and tight butt. Blinking, she stormed back to her room.

A minute later he knocked. ‘Bethan.’

No ignoring that imperious tone. Gritting her teeth, she reopened the door. Keeping his distance, he held a small bottle towards her. She noted its elegant shape and pretty label and died inside.

Do not look up. Do not wonder what the expression is in his eyes.

Because thiswasn’tdeliberate or meaningful. Yet every muscle weakened.

‘Thanks.’ She reached out, mentally cursing her trembling fingers.

As soon as she got it, she shut the door, turning to rest her spineless self against the wood. She gazed at the bottle, unsure she could stomach the memories a taste from it would invoke. But she was unbearably thirsty and desperately tempted because she loved this and it had beensolong. She unscrewed the cap, sipped and sure enough was instantly transported back to the day she’d met him...

Barely dawn, the day was already scorching. Bethan slowly strolled from her hostel to find the ferry to take her to Avra, the small island she’d heard was a ‘must-visit’ but difficult to reach. The harbour was still, there were only a couple of boats by the jetty and only one broad-shouldered man hunched down by the ropes of one.