“Your father is right,” my mother adds in a gentle tone. “We only wanted to do what was best for you. If you had stayed in Greece, your life would have been in constant danger. I hope you understand, Persephone, but we didn’t feel like we had a choice. We wanted to protect you, and denying your existence was the best way to keep you safe.”
“I understand,” I sniffle with a nod. “Andreas explained everything, and how hard it must have been. I’m just happy to finally meet you. I’m glad the environment in Greece has improved too, and hope that we’ll be able to get to know each other out in the open.”
“It has,” my dad confirms before glancing over at Nico and Andreas, who are standing off to the side. Then, Stavros steps away from me to pull Andreas in for a big bear hug. “Old friend,” he greets. “How can I thank you for your sacrifice? You’ve raised our daughter as your own for twenty years. Our debt to you cannot be repaid.”
My adoptive father merely bows his dark head before nodding.
“There is no debt, Stavros,” he growls. “As your devoted bodyguard it was an honor to care for your daughter, and I grew to love Petunia as well.”
“Petunia!” my mother exclaims. “Is that your English name?”
“It is,” I smile. “It’s my real name actually because I’ve been Petunia for twenty-three years now.”
Penelope smiles then.
“It’s a lovely name,” she says in a soft tone. “I’m just happy you’re here.”
But then my father interjects, turning his attention to Nico, who’s been silent until this moment.
“We are forever in your debt, Matthews,” Stavros nods in a deep tone. “But there is no need to go through with this betrothal that happened many years ago. Both the Christoses and the Matthews have moved on beyond these ancient traditions, and we’re happy to merge our conglomerates without forcing a marriage between unwitting parties. Thank you, Nico,” Stavros says in a deep tone while clapping the younger man on his shoulder. “But you are no longer obligated to marry our Persephone. We’re grateful you’ve brought her to us, but you’re a free man.”
My heart drops and a lump forms in my throat as I turn to my handsome fiancé. So this is it? We just walk away from each other, after all that’s happened? Tears begin to sheen in my eyes and I’m so afraid that I’ll cry again, but this time for a completely different reason.
Nico looks torn as well, his black brows beetling, but then he takes a deep breath and speaks.
“No, that’s not necessary,” the alpha male states in a strong tone. However, Stavros is still smiling and continues to speak.
“The betrothal was an arrangement made between two families many years ago,” he continues. “The two of you were only children at the time, and we arranged your marriage because that’s the way things have always been done in the old country. But the world has changed, and there’s no reason to continue with this outdated tradition. You’re free,” he states again.
This time, Nico speaks quickly.
“No Stavros,” he frowns. “It’s not necessary because I want to continue the betrothal. You see, I’ve fallen in love with your daughter, and I know it sounds crazy, but I want to ask you for her hand in marriage. Persephone, or Petunia, is my everything, and I want nothing but to make her mine.”
That makes all of us turn to him with surprised eyes.
“Really?” I whisper, my voice thick with tears. “You want to marry me? You love me?”
Nico nods and then comes to take my hands in his own before looking deep into my eyes.
“I love you, Petunia,” he says in a low voice. “I’minlove with you, and I know that what’s happened so far has been crazy and incredible, but let this be a testament to my adoration. Marrying you would be the greatest accomplishment of my life, and I’d be grateful for the chance to spend the rest of my life loving you.”
I stare at him as my heart soars with joy, tears springing to my eyes once more.
“Of course,” I say in a whisper while smiling. “I love you too, Nico Matthews.”
With that, we embrace, and before I know it, Stavros, Penelope and Andreas are crying as well.
“Our daughter is engaged,” Stavros says.
“She is indeed,” agrees Andreas in a growl.
“What a beautiful couple they make,” Penelope sighs with a tremulous smile. “This is truly the happy ending we deserve.”
I laugh then while gazing into my lover’s eyes because never in my wildest dreams did I think things would turn out like this. A powerful Greek magnate has declared his love for me, and despite the fact that I had a secret identity, and the fact that we met at an illicit sex club, none of it matters in the end. All that matters is Nico Matthews’s love, and the shining promise I see in those blue eyes.
He pulls me in for a kiss, whispering against my lips.
“I love you, Petunia,” he growls. “Always and forever.”