‘Why? If it hadn’t been you in his bed it would have been some other woman. Giannis lives by his own rules, and I wouldn’t dream of interfering. I feel privileged to be a part of his life. He’s a very special man,’ Krista murmured with a cool smile. ‘But this pregnancy of yours does create a problem.’
‘How did you even know I was pregnant?’ With Krista talking as though her relationship with Giannis was ongoing, Maddie’s unease was increasing at a rapid pace.
‘Haven’t you seen the pictures in the newspapers yet? They were taken yesterday, outside the clinic. Not very flattering of you, I’m afraid. But you’re definitely pregnant.’ Krista released a musical laugh. ‘Anything relating to Giannis Petrakos is always very big news.’
Maddie tried to hide her chagrin. ‘I’m sorry, but I don’t want to talk about my private life with you.’
‘If you care about the future of your twins, you will listen to what I have to say.’
Maddie went very still. ‘How did you know I’m having twins?’
Krista looked calmly back at her. ‘How do you think? Giannis told me…’
Maddie’s skin went clammy and she turned away, speared by that declaration like a fish on a hook. She felt quite sick at the idea of Giannis discussing her predicament with this woman. She also felt rather scared of this beautiful blonde in her ice-blue designer suit, with diamonds twinkling in her earlobes and at her slender throat.
‘Let’s concentrate on why I’m here,’ Krista continued. ‘I have a proposition to put to you.’
‘I don’t want to be rude…but what’s any of this got to do with you?’ Maddie was struggling desperately to retain some semblance of dignity. ‘I understood that you were no longer engaged to Giannis.’
‘Giannis and I are very close friends. We’ve broken up before, but he always comes back to me. This is a messy situation, and I’m happy to help Giannis to sort it out.’
Maddie’s hands coiled into defensive fists. She felt gutted and utterly humiliated. ‘Then go and talk to him about it.’
‘No, this is between us. I’m willing to adopt your children when they’re born.’
Maddie was dumbfounded by that assurance, and she spun round wide-eyed. ‘You can’t be serious!’
‘It would be the best solution for everyone. Giannis and I will get married, as we’ve always planned, and bring the children up together. It’s perfect.’
Repulsed by the very suggestion, Maddie stared at the smiling blonde and wondered if it was true that Giannis would go back to her. Krista was so very confident that it was hard to believe what she said did not have a solid basis in fact. ‘Does Giannis know you’re here?’
Krista elevated a pencilled brow. ‘What do you think?’
Maddie’s heart sank, and a creepy chill ran down her taut spine. Was this her reward for defying Giannis’s wishes and insisting on her independence? Certainly Giannis had to be very close to Krista if he had already shared so much about Maddie with her, his ex-fiancée. Maddie felt as gutted as if Krista had taken a fish-knife to her.
‘Obviously Giannis feels responsible for your children.’
‘He doesn’t have to. I’ll manage fine on my own,’ Maddie hastened to declare.
‘But Giannis will not tolerate that,’ the blonde protested. ‘He’s a Petrakos, and he’s used to total control. Don’t you understand what that means? If he’s not satisfied that you are a perfect parent, he’ll take your children away from you.’
Maddie flinched.
‘You really haven’t a clue.’ Krista Spyridou gave an impatient shake of her head. ‘Giannis is very powerful and very ruthless when it comes to getting what he wants. If I adopt your children he’ll be delighted, and he’ll ensure that you never have to work or worry about money again.’
‘I have no intention of giving my children up!’ Maddie told the blonde in angry disgust. ‘And no amount of money will change my mind on that score.’
‘I would treat them as my own.’ Krista kept on talking in the same relentlessly upbeat tone, flatly refusing to recognise Maddie’s revulsion. ‘I’m trying to help you—help all of us. If you don’t watch out you’ll lose your children anyway. Giannis wants them. Wouldn’t they be better off being raised by their father within marriage? What have you got to offer them?’
Maddie yanked open the door. ‘Please leave. I’m not interested in discussing this any further.’
Krista settled a card down on the table. ‘My phone number. Be sensible and do the right thing. Some day your children will thank you for it.’
It took quite a few minutes for Maddie to calm down after Krista’s departure. She felt threatened and intimidated, but more than anything she felt scared—bone-deep scared.
‘How did you find out?’
‘You have your own security team now.’
‘You mean you’re having me watched?’
‘After today’s little demonstration, don’t expect an apology on that score.’ Giannis dealt her a fulminating appraisal. ‘If you’d got away sight unseen, I might never have found you again. Is that what I deserve? Have I been so bad to you that I have no right to know that you are safe? No right even to know my own children?’
A combination of shame, frustration and confusion held Maddie stiff in her seat. ‘You shouldn’t have sent Krista to see me. That experience would’ve spooked a saint.’