Page 101 of Secrets, Lies and Love

“I’m afraid of everything, but I’ve gotten used to it because I grew up that way. Unlike what happens to most people, fear does not paralyze me. There’s only one thing that really scares me.”

“What?”

“Losing your trust and respect.”

“And why would that happen?”

“Have you decided whether the dress will be cream or white?” Zoe asks, getting up from the table.

With the excuse of not speaking loudly so as not to wake Joseph, I also get up. “I’ll be right back,” I say, but Dionysus doesn’t say anything. He just keeps staring at me.

From afar, as I talk to Christos’s wife, I see Odin handing papers to Dionysus, and I feel my blood run cold when he takes the folder and looks in my direction.

Jesus, what could that be?

I don’t have time to delve into the anxiety crisis that begins because then Madison talks about the decorator they hired to do their twin daughters’ room and invites me to see it.

Almost a month later

“Why isn’t everyone screaming? Am I the only one who didn’t know they were together?” Madison—who became a mother just a week ago—asks in that direct way of hers, and everyone smiles.

We’re having lunch at the older Kostanidou’s house, everyone gathered around the table, except for Madison’s sister, Brooklyn, who’s dating the doctor who brought her back from the coma.

Just like with Elina and Zoe, I adore Zeus’s wife. She’s the kind of person who doesn’t make you guess what she’s thinking. It’s written on her face whether she likes you or not.

Even though I know that I have the support of the three wives of my future husband’s relatives, I don’t know what the reaction of the male family members will be.

“If it’s any consolation, we knew they were dating, not that Cici is expecting a baby,” Elina says.

I know she isn’t upset that I hid my romance with her husband’s cousin. Because, as she just said, everyone already knew, with the exception of Zeus’s wife.

“Regarding the baby, it was a surprise even for the father,” Hades says, and I feel my face heat up.

I pretend I don’t care, stroking Joseph’s hair as he sleeps on my lap, when in reality I’m dying of embarrassment.

Dionysus intends to announce our relationship and pregnancy to the world soon, and I have made a promise that I intend to keep that I will not let too much time pass, after everyone knows about us, to reveal the truth about Joseph.

I will be his wife, the mother of his child, not another passing fling. He will listen to me. He will understand my reasons, and when he reads the letter I have from Keith, he will realize once and for all who Sue was.

But what about the rest, Cici? Will you have the courage to tell him everything?

One thing at a time. If I start thinking about all the secrets between us, I’m going to freak out.

“Don’t get involved,” Dionysus growls at his younger brother, who doesn’t even seem to be shaken but is looking at me suspiciously.

“So I assume we’re having a wedding soon,” Zoe says, smiling.

“My friend, you’re not just Greek because of a mistake of fate,” Elina jokes. “I’ve never seen you enjoy a celebration so much.”

“I love parties, especially weddings. When parents are already expecting a baby, even better.”

“Maybe two,” Ares mocks, nodding at his sister-in-law since Madison gave birth to twins.

The day she went into labor, it was crazy. I had to stay with Joseph and the Brooklyn twins because they all went to the hospital at the same time.

Until then, no one knew about us, and Dionysus and I argued once again about opening up about our relationship, each one thinking they were right, even after the public display of affection he showed at his company’s headquarters.

I knew I was at a dead end, but at that moment, in addition to the concern that the press would cause a scandal when they found out he was marrying his son’s nanny, there was also the worry that when Jodelle and Peyton found out, they would try to get closer as the fake people they are.

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