LITMIR.BIZ

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life. A place where we can just be ourselves without the constant expectations that go along with royal life.”

      “I feel safe here.” She glanced all around. “I can already imagine that I’ll be spending a lot of time out on the deck.”

      “I’ve spent many hours there. It’s great for clearing your mind.”

      “I’m sure it is.” Not anxious for the ominous talk, she said, “Well, I know you have things to do and I have to unpack, so I won’t keep you.”

      “Not before we talk.”

      Something told her that this much-changed prince didn’t normally have lapses in his schedule. Whatever he wanted to speak to her about must be important. Had something happened with the renovation?

      She hoped not, for more than one reason. The South Shore revitalization project was a hard-fought-for and long-awaited improvement. And somehow, someway Zoe planned to get her mother a spot at the Residenza del Rosa. The doctor had warned that finding her mother appropriate accommodations needed to be a priority. The time for hesitating had passed.

      Zoe set down her suitcase next to the couch. “What’s the matter? Has something happened at the mansion?”

      Demetrius’s brows scrunched together. “Why would you think that?”

      “It’s your tone and...and your demeanor. You have something serious on you mind.”

      “You’re right. I do. This conversation is long overdue.”

      Her stomach churned. She forced her gaze to meet his. “What conversation?”

      * * *

      Demetrius raked his fingers through his hair. “I’ve been waiting for you to say something about it, but I’m so tired of playing these games with you.”

      “What games? I haven’t been playing any games with you.”

      “Sure you have. Why else wouldn’t you have signed the annulment papers?”

      The whites of her eyes widened and her mouth gaped. Was she really going to try and act surprised? What did she hope to gain by acting all innocent?

      All of his pent-up frustration came rushing to the surface. “Don’t look so shocked. I’m certain it comes as no surprise to you that we’re still husband and wife.”

      “What? But...but that can’t be.”

      “It can be when you don’t sign and return the annulment papers.”

      “No, that isn’t right.” She pressed her fingers to her forehead as though she were trying to piece everything together.

      Was she angling to garner his sympathy? Well, it wouldn’t work this time. Demetrius’s wounded pride refused to accept anything but a reasonable explanation. His ego hadn’t just been pricked. It had been slashed to ribbons. This had to stop. And it had to stop here.

      He was on a roll now and he couldn’t stop. Not until she admitted what she wanted from him. Did she want more money? Or did she regret the way she’d trampled over their wedding vows on her way out the door? Did she want him back? The wondering and the not knowing had been nagging at him for months now. “Were you hoping for a bigger payday?”

      “No!” Her gaze narrowed. “You know me better than that. I ripped up the check and mailed the papers back to you.”

      “I don’t know what you did with the check or the papers, but I never received them.”

      Her eyes filled with confusion. “Then...then that means we’re still married?”

      He nodded. For the first time since the dreadful day when she walked out on him, he witnessed that same anguished look on her face. What was he supposed to make of it?

      Don’t trust her. She already hurt you once.

      The little voice in his head continued to issue warnings. But his heart longed to hear her out. There was something more here—something he was missing.

      But could he afford to take another chance on her?

      Before either of them could say a word, his phone buzzed. He retrieved it from his pocket and stared at the screen. It was the king—a man who didn’t go near a phone unless it was urgent.

      Demetrius wanted to ignore it. He wanted to finish this conversation, but his royal duties trumped his personal life—just like he’d seen the king do time and again.

      He took the call. All it amounted to was a few short, clipped sentences. There was an emergency at the shipping port. A car had been dispatched to pick him up.

      When the call was concluded, he turned back to Zoe. “I have to attend to this.”

      Her face was completely washed out as she nodded but said nothing.

      “We aren’t finished with this. I’ll be back.” He strode for the front door.

      He wanted to believe that her surprised expression was legitimate. In fact, he’d never wanted anything more in his life, but he couldn’t risk it. He couldn’t let himself become vulnerable again. Every time he let himself get close to someone—really close—they faded out of his life. First, his mother. Then his wife. And the last blow had been his twin who was now an ocean away with his beautiful bride—not that he could blame him.

      But the truth of the matter was Demetrius had given Zoe a chance—he’d given her everything. And in the end, she’d rejected him. How was he supposed to trust her again?

      * * *

       That can’t be right.

       We’re still married?

      Zoe leaned against the back of the couch. Her knees had turned to gelatin.

      Thankfully Demetrius had been called away. She needed time to make sense of what he’d said. They were still married? How was that possible?

      Once her legs felt a bit steadier, she retrieved her suitcase and moved back through the hallway just off the kitchen. She entered the first spacious bedroom. It was decorated with sunny yellows and perky pinks. The exact opposite of her mood right now.

      Demetrius had to be wrong. She was certain she’d signed the papers. She didn’t understand. Papers didn’t just disappear. What had happened to them?

      It was obvious Demetrius wasn’t any happier about this development than she was. And now more than ever she needed to make peace with him. He not only held her future in the palm of his hand but also that of her mother. A contract to work on the rest of the revitalization project would make a huge difference in the type of care that Zoe could provide for her mother.

      Speaking of her mother, she needed to check in with her. Zoe grabbed her phone and pulled up the number of their friend she was staying with, Liliana. The woman had been their neighbor most of Zoe’s childhood. Liliana hadn’t just been a friend, she and her husband had quickly become family. Watching Zoe when needed. Sharing holiday meals. And being there for any emergencies.

      After a quick greeting, Zoe dove into the reason for her call. “Liliana, how’s my mum doing?”

      “She has her good days and her bad days. I’m sure you know how that goes.”

      “I do.” It was heartbreaking to watch the confusion that would come over her mother’s face—the utter lack of recognition. But thankfully for now the good times outweighed the bad. “I just wanted to let you know that work has me away on a short trip. So you won’t reach me at the apartment, but you can always reach me on my cell phone.”

      “I’m glad to hear that you’re getting out and about. You need to do that more often. Too bad the trip is business. Maybe you can squeeze in some fun time.”

      Demetrius’s face flashed in her mind. “I don’t think that will be possible. There’s a lot of work to do.”

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