Chapter 207

I stand frozen, staring down at the letter as it sits on the little hall desk, my breath coming in fluttery little gasps.

The words are very simple.

There are vineyards in Greece as well. I’ll take you there.

I read it again and again as my heart pounds in my chest, each beat echoing with a mix of hope and dread.

It’s unmistakable—this is from Frankie – it has to be. There’s no one else –

Why would –

The reference to Vineyards, and Greece, where we always talked about vacationing when the kids were big enough. And his promise to take me there...

He’s…alive.

He’s alive!

Through some impossibility, my Frankie – my sweetheart – he’s alive and he’s…

He’s coming to get me.

The realization sends a rush of relief through me, but it quickly morphs into a whirlwind of anxiety. How…how could this be possible? And at what risk?

And how…how could he be alive…

I whip my head to the side suddenly, looking towards the Kitchen, my mind spinning with panic and anxiety and hope. Because did…

Did Nico?

Did Nico somehow…set this up? Did he spare Frankie?

But defying Christian like that…

I shake my head, baffled, snatching the letter and the envelope up in my hand, crumpling the.

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, and I fight to hold them back, but the overwhelming emotions surge forth, and I dash toward the nearest coat closet, shutting the door behind me, desperate not to be caught like this. Because Christian will have questions – and I have no answers –

I burrow behind the coats and press myself against the back wall, my face in my hands, the darkness enveloping me as the tears begin to flow.

Frankie is alive. I thought I had lost him forever, and now the reality feels both surreal and painfully tangible. The memory of our life together floods my mind—the laughter, the dreams we had, the love that was always so effortless between us. And now, he’s reaching out to me from across the ocean, igniting a flicker of hope that I had long buried.

But then the weight of reality crashes down on me. Frankie is in Greece, and he’s coming for me. He must be. The thought sends a fresh wave of panic through me. How could he even think to confront Christian? I know all too well the depths of Christian’s power and resources. He wouldn’t let anyone take me from him—not without a fight.

And what would happen to the children if Frankie tries to reclaim me? Christian would never allow it. He’d strip me of everything—my rights, my access to Leo and Daisy, who he’s already legally adopted, despite my efforts to delay the process.

The very idea of losing them is like a dagger to my heart…

I close my eyes, trying to catch my breath, but the panic continues to swell. I’m trapped in a life I didn’t choose, bound by promises and fears, and yet here is Frankie, offering me an escape…

But is it an impossible one?

I steel myself, forcing a deep breath to steady my racing heart. I can’t afford to let emotion cloud my judgment. I have to think clearly. After a moment, I push myself up, feeling the cool wood of the closet wall against my palms as I gather my resolve.

I take a few moments to gather myself, to ensure that I’m relatively normal, before I peek out of the closet door. When I see that the hall is empty I slip out of the closet and then out the front door, moving for the garden hose. Pretending to water the flowers, I put the note and the envelope down on the dirt, watering it until its sodden and illegible, and then trodding it down into the loam until it’s ruined and buried.

That done, I finish watering the garden – much to the bafflement of all the gardeners, who have never seen me give the flowers any interest at all before this – and then head back inside.

I move casually through the house, looking out for signs that anyone noticed anything amiss but…by all accounts everything looks normal.

Then I head upstairs, moving for the little laptop that I bullied Christian into buying me and which he finally provided, mostly so I could communicate with the children’s teachers and help them with their school work. I exhale slowly as I turn it on, my resolve hardening. Because even as I am thrilled at this evidence that Frankie is alive…

The danger. It’s…it’s far too poignant.

My heart breaking, I open a private browsing tab on the web browser and quickly search for Craigslist in both this city and Athens, Greece. As I do my memory goes back to a conversation I had with Frankie, when he told me that this is the best way he knows for messages to be traded in secret. It seemed like an odd idea at the time, but…well, now it feels like my only option.

My hands shake as I open the app. I post a message for him in both our city and Athens. The words pour out of me, each keystroke laden with sadness and resignation.

My love, don’t come. Greece is a dream. I’m in too deep.

The moment I hit send, a wave of grief washes over me. I wish things were different, that I could be with Frankie, that we could have the life we had planned. But the harsh reality of my situation sinks in. I have children now, and their safety is my utmost priority.

Tears slipping down my cheeks, I clear the search history for good measure and then close the browser and the machine. I let my head hang, giving myself a moment to feel my grief.

In my heart, I still love Frankie. But the world I’ve stepped back into with Christian is dangerous and unpredictable. I can’t risk everything I have for a dream that might just lead to destruction – especially not for the children. I think of Leo and Daisy, their innocent faces and laughter. I can’t let anything happen to them. They’ve already been through so much – and Christian, especially now that he and Leo are finally growing a little closer… I know he won’t let us get away this time.

And if he were to catch me again, I don’t think there’s anything that could save Frankie. Or me, if I’m being honest.

But the dreams I harbor linger just beneath the surface. I envision a time when the kids are grown – when maybe I will be freer make my own choices. Maybe then I can find Frankie again and be with him again.

The thought is both tantalizing and incredibly painful.

But for now, I have to be a mother first. I have to keep my children safe and with me. If Christian discovers any betrayal on my part, he’ll retaliate without mercy. The fear of losing Leo and Daisy is a constant ache in my chest, a reminder of what’s at stake.

As the minutes pass, I know I need to pull myself together. I stand up, smoothing my clothes, taking a deep breath to steady my resolve.

I have a role to play, after all.

Happy wife, happy life.

Happy secrets buried deep.

Happy hopes taking root in my soul that…some day, I’ll see him again.

Because at least, now…I’ve been given a gift.

I know that he’s alive.

And I can keep that little glowing secret in my soul forever.

It might, might just be enough to sustain me…if I can play my part well enough to convince Christian that nothing is wrong.

The aroma of pot roast and roasted vegetables fills the air, mingling with herbs and spices and fresh baked bread. I grimace a little, leaning far over the table to set down the dish of mashed potatoes, trying not to spill anything on the over-full table as I do.

“Mommm I’m hungryyy,” Daisy moans, coming close to wrap her arms around my leg just as I put the dish down. I laugh, smoothing a oven-mitted hand over her hair and smiling down at her.

“I know, baby, but we just have to wait a few more minutes until your father gets home before we can eat. Can you be my brave girl and wait a little longer?”

A little whine sounds in her throat as she looks over at the fresh, hot crescent rolls, making me laugh again.

“He’s not our dad,” Leo says, frowning at me from his seat at the table, setting his ipad aside so he can cross his arms over his chest.

“I know, baby,” I say quietly, sighing and then softly dislodging Daisy from my leg to move to my son, crouching down next to him. “That’s why I said father, yeah? Dad will always be dad but…” I shrug, trying to keep the pain off my face. “This one’s your father. And he very much wants to be close to you. Do you think you could try? And that can be our little code – dad for one, father for the other.” I wink and smile at my boy. “Our secret.”

A small smile creeps on Leo’s lips. “Yeah, okay,” he says, relaxing back against our chair. “Our secret.” I grin at my baby, leaning in to give him a kiss on the cheek, because my boy can’t resist a secret.

“What’s all this?”

I turn to see Christian standing at the open door, peering into the dining room where we…never have dinner. At least, not unless he makes me prepare it for everyone. But tonight there’s just four plates laid – just for us. Our family.

“Papa!” Daisy shouts, laughing and running to Christian, who smiles broadly and grabs her up into the air, twirling her around. I smile to see it, glad that the transition has been easier on Daisy. After all, she’s very little.

“Hey, little girl!” Christian laughs, settling her close to him and smiling down into her beautiful little face. “Is your mama up to something?”

“She made dinner,” Daisy whispers, wrinkling her nose.

“I can see,” Christian says, beaming at her and walking further into the room, letting the door swing shut. He stops to bend over, giving Leo a kiss on the head. Leo fights his smile and fails and my heart breaks, torn to see my kid happy in his new life and…

Well, wanting him, selfishly, to keep that allegiance to his dad. Even if I’m choosing to make that relationship fade into the past.

Christian turns to me next, curiosity sparking in his eyes. “What’s all this?” he asks, glancing over the elaborate spread.

I take a deep breath, steadying my nerves. “I wanted to try what you proposed—being together, being your wife,” I say, my voice firm despite the whirlwind of emotions inside me.

His face brightens, and he steps closer, his gaze softening as he puts Daisy down. She skitters away, back to the table where a coloring book awaits. “I’m so glad to hear that.”

A smile forms on my lips, but it’s tinged with uncertainty. I glance at the kids and then take Christian’s hand, tugging him away to the corner. “There’s one condition,” I whisper, looking up at him with big round eyes.

“What is it?” Christian expression shifts, concern etching his features.

“Lucy,” I say, my voice steady as I lean my body against his, wrapping my hands in his shirt. “Please, Christian. It’s…important for me to…have you all to myself. I can’t…we can’t be a family with her lingering around. Haven’t I been punished enough?”

My lip trembles a little as I look up at my husband. Christian exhales slowly, running a hand over my hair. “All right, Iris,” he sighs, looking down at me almost…almost fondly, for the firset time. “I’ll make sure she has her own life, far away from us. You have my word.”

Relief washes over me as I laugh with real joy. Christian laughs a little too, pulling me into a warm embrace. He kisses my head and then I tilt my face up and he hesitates for a moment before pressing a kiss to my mouth - a real one, our first one in…well. In a very long time.

For a brief moment, I’m lost in the connection. Part of me wants to surrender fully, knowing it would be easier, but the thought of Frankie lingers at the back of my mind, reminding me of the love I still carry.

As we break apart, Christian looks at me, sincerity shining in his eyes. “I love you, Iris.”

“I love you too,” I whisper, the weight of the words settling heavily in my chest. But I beam at him, hoping he can’t see it. “Come on, I made your favorite.”

My husband grins at me and together we move to the table to eat, truly for the first time, as a family. Christian eagerly digs into the meal and the conversation with the kids, his face lighting up with every bite. I watch him, pretending to share in his happiness, while internally, I wrestle with my feelings.

The children’s laughter echoes from the living room, a sweet reminder of what I’m fighting for.

But as I sit across from Christian, I can’t shake the feeling that I’m still…still just a captive of the mafia.

Haunted by the fact that even if I’ve carved myself out a space in this little world…that I may always be.

I sigh, and begin to eat the delicious meal I cooked, resigned to my fate.