Page 33 of Slightly Married (Irresistible #2)

“ I ’m just saying,” Simone said through the phone speaker. “You didn’t need to waddle across an ocean just so baby-daddy could make his appointments more conveniently.”

I shifted in the backseat of the town car, trying to find a comfortable position. It was a nearly impossible task at thirty weeks pregnant. The baby chose that exact moment to deliver a swift kick to my ribcage.

“Ouch! Easy there, ballerina,” I muttered, rubbing the spot where a tiny foot or elbow had jabbed me.

“My niece kicking again?”

“Girl, yes. She’s practicing her audition for Stomp in there.” I adjusted my sundress over my rounded belly. “And for your information, I’m not waddling across an ocean for Konstantin’s convenience. This temporary move makes sense.”

“Mm-hmm.” The skepticism in her tone was unmistakable.

“It does!” I insisted, watching as we passed a row of bougainvilleas. “The appointments are every two weeks now, and they’ll be weekly soon. That’s a lot of transatlantic flights for one person.”

“A person who owns a plane,” Simone countered without missing a beat. “A plane that has made that exact trip religiously for five months without issue.”

I turned my attention to the Athenian landscape rolling outside the car window, the golden light making everything look like a postcard. My fingers traced small circles on my belly as I searched for a more convincing argument.

“Now that Thalassía is complete, I need to finalize the interior design. I can’t exactly do that from New York.”

“They could hire another decorator,” she replied, refusing to let me off the hook.

“Fine. I also want my daughter to be born in Greece. Is that so wrong?”

“Not wrong at all.” Simone’s voice gentled. “But you can just say you miss your husband, you know. No need for elaborate excuses.”

She was right. I couldn’t bring myself to file for divorce even when Konstantin voided our contract and Daddy gave ownership of Thalassía back to the Christakis’ free and clear.

The shame and guilt Daddy felt for not having raised his son had quickly eroded the pride and joy of learning of Matthaios’ existence.

The contracts were broken, but our baby girl remained. I ran my hand over the curve of my belly, gathering my thoughts.

“I don’t know how to bridge the gap,” I confessed. “I’m the one who created this distance between us, and looking back now, I can see how I went overboard.”

“You had reasons,” Simone reminded me, loyal as always.

“I know,” I agreed, watching as we passed a family walking together, the father’s hand protectively at the small of the mother’s back.

“But now we’ve lost months we can’t get back.

He’s never felt her kick.” My voice cracked with emotion.

“And the whole time, he’s respected my boundaries.

Never pushed. Just... showed up for me the way I requested. ”

Konstantin’s family had been reaching out non-stop for months. Domna sent weekly care packages with pregnancy remedies. Santo texted weekly. Even Aris—who I learned was Daddy’s godson—called him to check on me.

The car slowed as we approached the ornate iron gates of the Christakis estate. My heart picked up speed.

“We’re pulling up to the house now.” My hand smoothed my braids. “I should go.”

“But Kay?”

“Yeah?”

Her voice grew serious. “If you want your husband back, go for it. Mama’s passing showed us how short life can be.”

“What if I waited too long? What if he’s found someone else?”

“Girl, that man isn’t going anywhere!” Simone laughed. “You have him as hooked as Mama had Daddy.”

The gates swung open, revealing the familiar driveway lined with cypress trees. The mansion looked exactly as I remembered it, but somehow, I felt like a different person approaching it now.

“I’ll drop by once I’m settled in,” I promised, gathering my courage along with my purse. “Love you, sis.”

“Love you, too.”

I ended the call as the car came to a stop at the front entrance. Taking a deep breath, I gathered my courage along with my purse.

The driver opened my door, and I maneuvered my pregnant body out of the car. The front entrance looked exactly as I remembered it, with its grand columns and wooden doors.

I hadn’t told anyone I was coming. Not even Konstantin.

The solemn-faced butler let me in. With a slight bow, he took my suitcases and ushered me inside. He gestured toward the dining room and said the family was having lunch before disappearing with my luggage.

The unique scent of the house enveloped me as I made my way across the foyer. My heart beat a little faster as I approached the dining room, wondering how they would react to my unexpected arrival.

As I moved through the foyer, my eyes caught on the large portrait of Matthaios, Konstantin, Aris, and Dimitrios with a much younger Santo in formal attire. It occupied a space that had been conspicuously empty during my previous time here.

Even more surprising was the wedding photo of Konstantin and me sitting prominently on the console table. Neither of us was smiling, but it was a good picture, nonetheless.

As I rounded the corner toward the family dining area, I nearly collided with a young woman carrying a stack of fresh linens.

“Oh!” she exclaimed, barely keeping her balance and holding onto the linens. When she looked up and saw me, her eyes widened to an almost comical degree.

“Kyria Christakis!” Maria gasped, her voice hushed but vibrating with excitement. “You’re back! And—” she stared openly at my stomach, “—you’re having a baby!”

I couldn’t help but smile at her genuine reaction. “Yes, I am.”

“This is wonderful news!” she beamed, seeming to forget her professional demeanor in her excitement.

The commotion brought Irida rushing into the foyer, dressed in loose linen pants and a flowing blouse. She froze when she saw me.

“Kayla,” she said, her voice careful. “You’re here.”

“I am,” I replied.

The awkwardness between us was palpable. Irida shifted her weight from one foot to the other. After a moment that seemed to stretch for eternity, she cleared her throat and gestured toward my stomach.

“You look well.”

“Thank you,” I said, placing a protective hand over my bump.

Footsteps echoed on the marble floor as Domna appeared, elegant as ever in a tailored dress. Her hand immediately went to her chest when she saw me.

“Kayla! This is quite unexpected.”

“I’m sorry for not calling ahead,” I apologized, suddenly feeling like I’d made a terrible mistake. “I wanted to...”

“Nonsense,” Domna interrupted, approaching to kiss both my cheeks. “This is your home. You need no invitation.” Her hand reached out, hesitating just above my belly. “May I?”

I nodded, and she placed her palm against the curve where her granddaughter grew. As if on cue, the baby kicked, and Domna’s face cracked into a genuine smile.

“She’s strong,” she said approvingly.

The sound of male voices approached from the direction of the study. Dimitrios appeared first, halting when he saw the gathering. His eyebrows shot up, but a smile quickly followed.

“Well, well! Look who has returned to grace us with her presence,” he said, coming forward to kiss my cheek. “And bringing a precious cargo, I see.”

“Hello, Dimitrios,” I said, glad to see his friendly face.

Matthaios appeared next, his expression darkening when he spotted me. Unlike the others, there was no welcome in his eyes.

“You came back,” he said flatly.

“Matthaios,” Irida warned.

“Where’s Simone?” he demanded, taking a step toward me. “Is she with you?”

I raised my chin. “I’ll tell you where Simone is when she’s married to another man and they’re expecting their third child.”

His face flushed with anger, but before he could respond, another voice cut through the tension.

“Matthaios, get lost.” Konstantin stood in the doorway, his tall frame locked with apprehension.

“I’m simply asking my sister a question, Kostas,” Matthaios shot back. “This has nothing to do with you.”

“Back off, Matthaios. My wife doesn’t answer to you.”

Our eyes met across the foyer, and everything else faded away. He looked tired. There were new lines around his eyes, and his longer facial hair was streaked with silver.

“Michaila,” K said, his voice holding a question.

I placed a protective hand over my belly. “I thought it would be easier this way. For the appointments.”

His eyes dropped to my rounded stomach, lingering there before returning to my face. “You should have told me. I would have sent my plane.”

“I made it here safely,” I stated, suddenly aware of the audience watching our exchange with undisguised interest.

Domna cleared her throat. “Perhaps Kayla would like to rest after her journey.”

Konstantin stepped forward, bridging the gap between us with careful movements. “I’ll escort you up.”

I nodded, grateful for the escape. The others parted wordlessly, creating a path for us. Their eyes followed us as we crossed the foyer.

We ascended the staircase in silence. Konstantin followed close behind me without touching me.

“The nursery furniture you ordered was delivered yesterday,” he mentioned. “The assembly team is coming tomorrow morning.”

I nodded, surprised he’d kept up with the purchases as I handled arrangements with Andreas.

The corridor stretched before us, ending at our old bedroom. He pushed open the double doors, revealing the room exactly as I remembered.

“I moved back to my bedroom,” he explained.

Disappointment swept over me. “Alright.”

Our eyes met briefly before I looked away.

“I’ll let you rest,” he said, retreating toward the door.

When the door closed behind him, I sank onto the bed, unsure if I’d made the right decision in coming. I’d spent months telling myself I was fine without Konstantin, that our marriage had always been temporary, that the deceit had simply accelerated an inevitable end.

Moving to the window, I gazed out at the familiar view of the gardens where we’d walked countless times. Pride and hurt and anger had kept me isolated during the most transformative months of my life.