Page 94 of Secrets, Lies and Love

* "My woman."

Cecily

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

"Willyou tell me when you're ready?" Elina asks, sitting at her desk at the Association.

She asked me to come see her because, she told me, I haven't been acting normal lately.

I don't even try to deny it, because now I'm sure she knows about me and Dionysus, although maybe she's talking about the conversation we had a while ago about my past.

"I will, yes. About everything, I promise."

"I won't judge you, Cici. Whatever it is, I will listen to you because I consider you a friend. Unless you have done something to harm my family, which is sacred to me, I will be on your side."

"Thanks. I don't know how to tell you, but I'm trying."

"Is itthatbad? The truth about your past, I mean."

"It's something that could take me away from you forever."

"Give me your word again that it is nothing that will harm Dionysus, Joseph, or any of my relatives."

"I swear, Elina. The only one to be harmed in this story will be me."

My phone rings, and I take it out of my bag. I get up to answer it, taking advantage of any chance to escape this difficult conversation.

Unknown number.

"Hello?"

"Harper?"

"You do that on purpose, right? You know how much I hate that name, Peyton."

"I don't do it on purpose. You are paranoid."

With a gesture to Elina, I tell her that I'm going to go to the next room, because I know that nothing that comes from my father's ex-wife's daughter can be good. "Paranoid my ass. Jodelle hated her own mother. Why give me her name? It could only be as a way for her to constantly remind herself to hate me too."

"Harper, Harper, have you ever thought about seeking psychiatric help? This persecution complex could indicate serious mental problems."

I sigh, wanting to throw my phone at the wall. "What do you want, Peyton? Didn't I make it clear the last time we spoke that I don't care what you and your mother think of me? Why can't you forget that I exist?"

"I'm in New York. Let's have lunch."

"Lunches—in fact, any type of get-together—are for friends or relatives. We are neither."

"I found out you're working for the Kostanidis family. How did you manage that?"

"Why would that be any of your business?"

"Because unlike you, my poor, simple-minded almost-sister, I dream big. There are still three single Greeks in that family. I am beautiful, and I am sure that if I have the opportunity, I can win one for myself. Can you imagine? Wife of a tycoon? Yes. I like the sound of that. I was born to be a queen, Harper.”

"As far as I’m concerned, you can be whatever you want, even a circus monkey, as long as you stay away from me. I wouldn't let you get close even if you were smart enough to pretend there is a soul and a heart inside you, Peyton. If you think you're going to convince me to let you come see me, knowing your intentions, you're even more of an idiot than I thought."

"I knew you were worthless, Harper. That good girl persona was all a facade. I bet you're there because you want one of them for yourself. You probably schemed to get that job. How on earth would someone from the far reaches of Kansas end up among business royalty otherwise?"

I feel dizzy because, even though what she says is nonsense, it's not a total lie. I came to New York with the specific intention to approach Dionysus.

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