empty hallway. While waiting for the elevator, h

und a solution. Meet me in

back to the closed office door of Dimitrios. For the

idas sitting at a table in the back. Ariad

up when he saw

extending his hands to take

se, tell me you

hands before letting go and g

, Ariadna. And the situa

elt her h

complicated'?" she ask

, a gesture Ariadna had seen many ti

le. The debts are astronomical, and Galanis has everyt

ore to herself than to him. "The

ss the table, taking

nk, to plan. This isn't a situatio

ecide," Ariadna responded, desperation in

ect. It's more of a temporary solutio

forward, her

s your

eep breath, as if

can stay while we resolve this. I could also help your par

frowned,

ay for that? We hav

ersuasive. "And as for your father, I could give him a job in my company.

, a spark of suspicio

onidas? What will happ

dropping to an intimate whisper

esired you. We could use that apartment to...

's eyes

are you sugges

ed the back of Ariadna

Without the pressures of our families, without society's e

ack abruptly, as if Leoni

ur mistress?" she asked, her voice

sing control of the situati

it that way. It's just a t

voice rising. "While you find someone more suitab

surprised by the vehem

The situation is complicated

h. "And in the meantime, you want me

le again, trying to take Ariadn

ve you, truly. But we have to be r

eyes shining with tears of anger, "is one where

hand over his f

ying to find a solution

u, Leonidas? Have you thought about what this w

ok ashamed for a moment, but q

ow, Ariadna. We c

ir, looking at Leonidas as if

an I thought I knew, the man I fell in love with

eaned forw

ing to adapt to the circumstances. Don't

morless laugh. "No, Leonidas. Y

a flash of anger

lot by offering you this. My reputation

ng with sarcasm. "How noble of you to risk your precious r

d on the table, causing

g. Do you think this is easy for me? Do you th

r eyes shining with a

to be your wife now that my family is ruined? That I'm only good enough

d through his hair

you, I want you with me. But things a

mpleted, her voice trembling with rage. "Someone wh

ce was more revealing than any words he could ha

voice barely a whisper. "If my family wasn't

fening. Leonidas opened his mouth

lowly, her body tr

these years, I thought you loved me. That you were different. But you're j

y stood up, rea

ease, let me

heek with surprising force. The sound of the slap echoe

es bright with tears of anger and disappointment.

cheek, his eyes wide

eaded, his voice breaking. "I love you,

ck steps, she headed for the café's exit, ign

chairs and tables in his

ed, grabbing her arm just

harply, her eyes

e, Leonidas.

s grip on Ariadna's arm tightening. "Let's ta

er arm free with

our mistress while you marry

das's voice broke. "I ne

. But that glimpse disappeared as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by

, her voice cold as ice. "The moment you deci