Chapter Seven
Hope adjusted the shawl draped across her shoulders and did her best to smile as camera lights flashed around her.
Life as Mrs. Colin Soukoulis lately was best summed up as attending one ball after another, and she had decided to take things one day at a time so as not to be swept away by the surrealness of it.
Another week had passed since their first night together. She had been sleeping in his bed ever since. Keeping him company at work. Wherever he went, he wanted her with him. What they could do together, they did. But one thing they had yet to discuss was the future of their marriage.
Tonight's ball had laid out separate red carpets for men and women, and when Hope entered the ballroom, she saw that Colin wasn't yet at their table. There was not a single familiar face either...except for Roland?
The last time she had seen him was on the first day of Colin's high school reunion.
She had heard rumors about his troubled marriage with Princess, and the latter's words had as good as confirmed this.
The other woman had also implied, albeit in not so many words, that he would soon move away.
..while leaving his wife to fend for herself on her own.
Unease stirred inside of Hope when she realized Roland was heading straight at her.
"Hello, Hope."
He looked discomfited and determined at the same time, and Hope's unease grew. Was he about to ask her something about Colin and—
"I know you have no reason to believe me, but Maria..." Relief flashed over his features when he seemed to spot someone behind her. "There she is."
Hope turned in time to see another woman join them. Short curly hair, a pleasantly round face, and eyes that were both cheerful and wise.
"This is Maria, my fiancée."
His...what?
Maria nodded understandingly. "It's just as we suspect. Princess hasn't told anyone about the divorce, has she?"
Hope shook her head. "I had no idea." Did Colin? And if he did, why had he never told her?
"Princess made a deal with Roland. She would agree to a quick divorce and not make a fuss...but only if he agreed to keep their separation a secret."
"For what reason?" Hope asked in confusion.
"To earn everyone's pity," Maria said bluntly. "Your husband's, most of all. Roland had to declare bankruptcy three months ago. Princess had taken out loans without him knowing, and all so she could live like a queen."
"I did my best to provide for her," Roland said reluctantly. "But it was never enough for her."
"When Roland asked for a divorce," Maria continued, "it was around the same time she received the invitation to the reunion. Right after that, she came up with her own deal. She would sign the papers, but he had to keep it a secret."
Hope could only listen in growing disbelief and unease as the two took turns in explaining the rest of their story. When Maria realized what price Roland had to pay for his divorce, she had been adamant that Roland talk to her or Colin.
'What you do about this knowledge is up to you. We just didn't want the destruction of your marriage on our conscience.'
The couple's words continued to linger in Hope's thoughts even though the couple was long gone, and the ballroom suddenly felt too noisy and stifling.
She sought escape by means of the surrounding gardens through one of the double doors, and Hope struggled to keep her silk heels from sinking as she followed a winding path bordered by sculptured hedges and marble statues of Greek deities.
What do I do now?
She considered relaying to Colin what the couple had told her. But for what purpose? And what if it caused her husband to feel protective and defensive toward Princess? He might have seen through the other woman's ploys, but those actions of hers only made Princess desperate, not evil.
But if she were to tell him about how Princess was largely to blame for Roland's financial woes, what then? Would he believe her? What if he didn't? Should she stay in a marriage that clearly had no foundation on trust?
Footsteps on the garden path drew her attention. Colin approached, his eyes made dark by concern. "You had me worried, kyria. I've been looking everywhere for you."
"I'm sorry," she apologized right away. "I just needed some air."
His gaze narrowed. "Has something happened?"
Hope weighed her options, torn between confrontation and caution. No matter how many times she thought about the couple's words, it just didn't feel right to speak badly of Princess. And so instead she heard herself say, "I don't know what to think of us anymore."
She felt him stiffen, but she couldn't make herself take the words back. Because she realized now that they needed to be said.
"Please tell me the tuth," she said shakily. "Am I allowed to have hope about our marriage? Because if you still don't me in your future, then maybe, you should let me go—"
"Never."
The fierceness of his answer stunned her, with his tone bordering on savage.
"How many times do I have to tell you this?" Colin bit out. "You're mine—"
"But what about you?" It was her first time to cut him off. "W-What about you, Colin? Are you—"
"Yes."
Hope's throat tightened.
"I've never said this to anyone," Colin said tautly, "but if you have to hear the words—"
"Yes." It was her turn to say the word, albeit in a tremulous whisper.
"I'm yours." Her husband held her gaze as he said it, and Hope's lip started to tremble.
"I'm all yours."
She tried so hard to control herself, but it was just impossible. The moment she heard him saying it again, she started to cry, the tears running endlessly down her cheeks.
Colin...was hers.
Was this real? Was this truly happening? Was her husband truly hers?
Colin cupped her face, and her tears ran even faster.
His gaze captured hers, and it was like seeing eternity in his eyes.
"Do you need me to spell it out?"
Spell out what?
"I'm in love with you, Hope Soukoulis. And it's why I want you to be mine forever, even if I don't deserve it."