Chapter Seven #3
‘You’ll let me?’ Did he really think his money would sway a court? Or, the thought gave her hope, was he going in hard, trying to frighten her into submitting to his demands? Surely even he couldn’t expect to separate her and Theeny permanently.
Why, oh why, hadn’t she consulted a lawyer about her legal situation years ago?
Because you never thought he’d find out about your baby. He washed his hands of you, wouldn’t even let you explain Charlie lied about your motives.
‘I thought you’d be grateful I’m proposing a chance to have a space in her life.’
‘I’m her mother!’ Dido pressed her hands against the edge of the table, angling forward in her urgency. ‘She needs me.’
‘Unfortunately,’ he lingered on the word, ‘you’re right. Even if you’re unemployed and unlikely to be able to support her for much longer, given your poor finances and lack of prospects.’
‘You’ve had someone pore over my finances? That’s illegal, an invasion of privacy.’
He didn’t deign to answer that. He leaned back in his seat, totally relaxed as if the outcome of this discussion were assured. His arrogance set her teeth on edge.
‘Any court would confirm you injured both my daughter and me by keeping her from me, for years. Especially as it’s clear you had no intention of ever telling me she existed.’
He watched her stiffen, his features as cold and proud as a chiselled, marble statue.
Dido’s throat closed as she fought for words. That was her greatest fear. She’d told herself no court would allow a mother to be separated from her baby.
But Panos was rich and influential. She could imagine him in court, earnest and persuasive, twisting her actions and motivations against her, though she’d acted to protect her baby. He’d paint her rather than himself as vicious and volatile, and possibly a court would fall for that.
This was a nightmare and there was no escape.
Dido should have made him listen last night.
She was still hurting over the accusations he’d levelled at her three years before.
That she’d deliberately seduced him and married him for his money, saying he knew it after talking with her half-brother Charlie.
She was still outraged he’d believed Charlie, not her.
Worse, Panos had refused to let her set the record straight.
How could she have let anger and passion win last night and kissed him?
Panos’ behaviour in Greece had been outrageous, dismissing her without a conversation. He was a harsh man. It wouldn’t matter if he belatedly learnt the truth. He’d moved on. All he cared about was that she’d kept their daughter from him. That was unforgiveable to him, no matter the provocation.
Dido swallowed the barbed wire blocking her larynx. ‘Maybe we could compromise. Theeny and I could live near you. Take a flat in Athens. You could see her every day.’
‘And how would you pay for this flat in Athens? How would you support yourself?’ His deep voice sounded almost like a caress, except for the needle-sharp barb beneath. ‘You’d find it difficult getting work, since you don’t speak the language.’
Dido snapped her sagging mouth shut. So much for being reasonable.
You didn’t truly expect him to pay your rent.
The thought of being so beholden to him made her shudder. She’d rather be poor and free of him.
Fine words for a single woman. But for a mother who needs to compromise to keep her daughter…
The hateful truth stabbed like blades, shredding her last, forlorn hope.
She set her jaw and picked up her mug, taking her time to sip the now-cold tea as if considering, though she knew she was out of options.
Her gaze drifted to the small window and the patch of pale blue sky and wispy cloud. She remembered the sky in Greece as a much more vibrant blue. Once it had seemed like confirmation that her new life there was bright with promise. How deluded she’d been.
‘You have one option, Dido. Come with Athena and help her settle into her new life and I’ll consider letting you have permanent access to her.’
A ball of fury rose from her belly to her chest and throat.
A hundred words fought for release. Threats, pleas, oaths.
But she choked back a tirade, knowing it wouldn’t help.
Panos had the physical power to snatch Theeny.
He could bundle her into his vehicle and be gone in minutes.
He probably had a private jet on standby.
Despite her brave talk last night, if Panos did leave with their daughter, he’d make it hellishly difficult for Dido to see her again, much less get custody.
She sucked in a desperate breath, fighting panic.
‘If you’d just let me explain about my half-brother and what happened three years ago—’
‘Enough!’ He shot to his feet, looming over her, his scowl ferocious. ‘I’m not interested in your excuses.’
‘But—’
‘No buts. The topic is closed. End. Of. Story. One more word about it and you’re gone.’
Panos pulled out his phone, punching out a number. As he turned away he spared her a single searing glance. ‘So, what’s it to be, Dido? Greece with Athena on my terms or stay here, alone?’