page47 (1/2)

‘I know Me, too Eleni’s been hed ‘Sophie, don’t say anything to Dad or Eleni about this, will you? I’d hate them to think I…’ His throat seemed to close

She nodded ‘They know you love theapi mou And I know it’s a difficult subject for Dad—like you, he bottles things up But, you know, they would hate to think that you still carry so much pain around with you’ She stroked his forehead ‘They want you to be happy That’s why they keep pushing eligible women your way I know you think it’s all to do with business and dynasties, but it’s not that at all They want you to be as happy as they are Settled, at the centre of your family’

‘It drives me crazy’

‘I know’ She sh to choose your own partner’

‘I’ve found her But…’ He shook his head in frustration ‘Maddie wants children’

‘And so do you Look at the way you are with Arianna, telling her stories and letting her beat you in swi sandcastles for her Look at how you are with Petros, cuddling his You’ll lasses up over her hair so she could look straight at him ‘Theo, you’re an obstetric consultant How often does the kind of complication your mother had happen?’

‘Rarely,’ he admitted ‘But it still happens’

‘But you said the key word, adelphos mou It’s rare And there’s no reason why it would happen to Maddie’ She sighed ‘Theo, you have to let it go Leave the past where it is and look to the future And you have to take your courage in both hands and face that risk—for both your sakes If she loves you and you’ve been blowing hot and cold on her, shecrazy’

‘I know And I don’t mean to blow hot and cold on her I just…’

‘You think you’re doing her a favour by pushing her away?’ Sophronia rolled her eyes ‘Men! Theo, that’s not hoorks Trusther heart So tell her—tell her what you told me If she’s the woman who deserves you, she’ll understand And she’ll be the one to ain’

He knew his sister was right Though it was easier said than done If anything happened to Madison—if he lost her, the way his father had lost his ive himself

‘I believe in you, agapi land Tell your Maddie how you feel about her And if Arianna isn’t a flower girl by the end of the year, you are in so rin

Theo smiled back ‘Noted And, Sophie?’