Page 20 of Slightly Married
“Good. I have been panicking since.”
The admission made me laugh openly, and I caught him watching me with an expression I couldn’t decipher. The walls between us seemed thinner.
“Santo is a twin... well, was a twin,” he said, his voice suddenly somber. “My niece and her mother died during delivery.”
My smile faded immediately. “I’m so sorry. That’s terrible.”
We rode in silence for a while, and I found myself placing a hand over my stomach, wondering if at this very moment, something miraculous might be happening inside me.
Was this how it began? This simple medical procedure transforming into a new life that would connect us forever?
When we arrived at the estate, I waited for the driver to open my door, gathering my purse and jacket.
“I’ll be out of the country for a while,” Konstantin said. “Call me when you find out.”
I nodded, stepping out of the car. As I walked toward the villa, I could feel his eyes following me.
Part of me wanted to turn back, to say something meaningful about what we’d just shared. But what was there to say?
This wasn’t a love story. It was a business arrangement with biological consequences.
The air inside the villa was cool and quiet, but I could hear muted female voices coming from the parlor. I followed them and found Tia, Irida, and Domna sitting around a coffee table laden with tiny sandwiches, pastries, and fruit. Each womanheld a delicate teacup in her hand, and they were chatting and laughing softly.
I hovered in the doorway, unsure of whether to intrude, but Tia beckoned me over.
“Kayla! Come join us,” she called, her smile warm and genuine. “Kyria Christakis made these amazing little lemon pastries that you have to try.”
Over the past couple of weeks we’d become very friendly, and I genuinely liked Tia. She was smart, sweet and easy to talk to. I was grateful to have the company of a fellow African-American. It was almost like having a younger sister.
And yet, I hesitated at the invitation. I could feel Irida’s eyes upon me, her gaze sharp.
“I don’t want to interrupt,” I said, fidgeting with the strap of my purse.
“Nonsense,” Domna spoke up, patting the empty space on the sofa. “Come, sit. Tell us about your day. I’ve been telling Tia about our summer festivals.”
From the day I’d arrived, Domna had shown me nothing but genuine maternal concern, while I could sense the cold front rolling off Irida in waves. I couldn’t figure out what I’d done to offend her.
“If you’re sure,” I said, accepting the invitation and sitting on the love seat next to Tia.
“Where did you disappear to this morning?” Tia asked, passing me a plate with a selection of tiny treats. “I knocked on your door, but you’d already gone.”
Before I could answer, Irida rose abruptly. “I’ve had enough tea for one afternoon,” she announced before leaving.
I felt the rejection deep in my chest. If there was any doubt in my mind, Irida made it clear she wanted nothing to do with me.
“Was it something I said? Or is it my general existence that offends her?” I flashed a smile despite the sting.
“Don’t let it trouble you, dear,” Domna said, patting my knee. “Irida is battling ghosts. You are not to blame for her wounds.”
“What wounds?” I asked, curiosity piqued.
Domna sighed. “It’s a complicated family history; nothing you’ve done. Please have some tea.”
I nodded and was glad when a maid brought me a porcelain cup filled with herbal tea. The distraction was welcome. I sipped for a couple of minutes, feeling my body slowly relax.
“Where were you this morning?” Tia asked, eyeing me over her teacup.
The last thing I needed was for the entire Christakis clan to know about the IUI procedure.
