Page 35 of Secrets, Lies and Love

“Thanks. I’m sure she will wake up. She’s in the hands of the greatest neurologist in the world, and on top of that, she has a whole life to live and also two babies to raise.”

The emotion in her voice is evident, and I totally understand. I also prayed for a miracle. In my case, unfortunately, it did not materialize.

“Enough talking about sad things. What I really came to do was invite you to my wedding.”

“What?”

“I don’t know much about you, other than the story of the car accident,” she says, almost apologetically, “but Elina told me that she considers you a friend, so I want you to come too, to celebrate with us.”

“Are you sure? I’m going to be Joseph’s nanny.”

“Yes, I am. I don’t care what your role is—if you are dear to Elina, you are dear to me too. I trust her judgment.”

A few minutes later, she walks away, heading towards the man I know to be Dionysus’s older brother. I go to look for Joseph.

I find him playing on the floor with two blonde children, who are obviously siblings—a boy and a girl—and who, unless I’m mistaken, are also twins.

“This is Silas and Soraya, Cecily,” Joseph’s daytime nanny says, now in a softer tone than she used on me in the morning. “They are Joseph’s best friends.”

I sit on the floor, and the children come over, Joseph leaning over my lap.

I am moved by the bond that seems to have instantly formed between us. Could it be that in his childish purity he feels who I am? Does he have any idea that I would give my life for him without thinking twice?

I run my hand through his blond curls, and to my surprise, he drops his toy, gets into my lap, and lays his head on my shoulder.

Yes, you know that I loved you before I even met you, don’t you, baby?

I will never walk away again, Joseph. I will make sure you are protected and happy.

Dionysus

CHAPTER NINETEEN

“What made you change your mind?”Ares asks beside me, nodding toward Cecily, who holds my son in her arms.

Mrs. Nuttle left about half an hour ago, without even caring that Cecily had never been alone with Joseph before. These are the details that tell me that my current employees don’t really care about my son. They have no affection for my boy; they just see him as an ordinary job.

I feel my three brothers’ eyes on me, and I know they are waiting for an answer. “Isn’t it obvious?”

“What? That she’s beautiful and you can’t look away?” Ares mocks.

“Bastard. I’m talking about Joseph’s immediate fascination with her. When have you ever seen him react like that to a stranger?”

He doesn’t answer because he knows I’m right. “Are you sure she’s a good person?”

“I turned Cecily’s past inside out. Twice,” Odin says from behind us. “Dionysus has just hired a saint.”

“Will she live in your house?” Now Hades is the one asking.

“Did you take the day off to bother me? Cecily will live in my house like the nanny before her did. During the day, she will be free to take care of her own business, and at night, she will take care of Joseph until I arrive, when I will take over.”

“You find her attractive,” Zeus says, laughing.

“It’s unbelievable how the prospect of marrying the woman you love and also becoming a father soon has changed your attitude, big brother,” I say sardonically.

He shrugs, not rising to my provocation. “Before, I never felt like I was living my own life, but rather, what someone had assigned to me. For the first time, I’ve made choices without having to put my family’s wellbeing before my own.”

“Even before Madison showed up, you should have forgotten that promise, Zeus,” Ares says. “Our grandfather had no right to ask you for that, and after all, for what? They’re all dead. Our parents and their tormentors. What good is pride and revenge now?”

---