Page 49 of Look for Me

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The bright and happy sounds of Dahlia laughing drained the blood from Corinne’s face. She stopped short of entering the room, her feet cemented to the floor of the hallway, her palms sweating.

Dahlia.

I must be hearing things.

“Move!” Miss Executioner pushed the door and Corinne at the same time, nearly smacking Corinne’s nose into the wooden door.

There, in the middle of some rays of sunlight streaming into the sitting room, was Corinne’s daughter, playing with a dollhouse taller than she was. On a nearby sofa, Nikos was grinning broadly.

Nikos.

So it wasn’t Flavian at all.

Corinne was sure it was Flavian who’d want his daughter back.

Not Nikos. He didn’t care for anyone but himself.

Corinne was sure he didn’t care for his baby in her womb either.

“Mommy!” Dahlia dropped a miniature piece of furniture and ran toward Corinne.

Corinne noticed a rhinestone-studded belt around her pajama top. “What are you wearing, baby?”

“A belt, Mommy. Christmas present from Unca Niko. So shiny, Mommy.”

Christmas in June?

“What’s this, Nikos?” Corinne felt the thick belt. It was metallic.

“Fifty thousand volts.” Nikos smiled. “Maybe more.”

“No! She’s only a child!” Corinne hugged Dahlia, never wanting to let her go. Her eyes scanned the room. Security was everywhere.

“Look what else Unca Niko bought me!” Dahlia pointed at the dollhouse. “Come see it, Mommy!”

“Yes, come over and see this expensive toy I bought your daughter.” Nikos patted the seat next to him.

Corinne ignored him. It was best to do so. Back in the days when Nikos and Flavian had been business partners at the casino—before the money laundering mess—Nikos had often visited Flavian and the then-pregnant Corinne.

In fact, it had been Nikos who introduced Flavian to his string of other girlfriends. Once Flavian picked his girls, Nikos would ruin them afterwards.

Corinne was done with Flavian and his business associates. She hoped never to see Flavian again. However, when she looked in her daughter’s eyes, she could see traces of him.

Why did I mess up so badly, Lord?

She wondered what was going on and how she was going to get out of this predicament.

“Come over here and let me rub your belly to see how Flavian’s baby is doing in there.” Nikos jiggled a finger.

The gesture made Corinne feel sick. Her legs felt wobbly. She sank to the floor near the doll house, far enough away from Nikos.

Not Flavian’s baby.

Corinne wasn’t sure if she should correct Nikos about the baby’s paternity.

“After we play family, you’re going to Oscar and get my diamonds for me.” Nikos smiled.

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