PRESENT DAY...

Loukas Spiridakou's POV

Wow, I thought to myself, staring at my ex-wife as she finished recalling what made her decide to divorce me two years ago. For the first time in my life, I was lost for words. I don't what to say—hell, I didn't even know what to think about the bomb she just dropped on me.

She said she lost our baby at the same time I experienced a major crisis since I took over the company's rein from my deceased father. My heart was still reeling at the thought of the child she lost—our child...

She also said she could die if they didn't remove her ectopic pregnancy. Despite her resistance, she was helpless to obey the doctor's suggestion making her unable to bear a child ever again.

Looking at her now, sitting on the sofa she look so fragile so different from the woman she'd become since our separation. I wanted to take her in my arms to somehow comfort her as she visited the past due to my insistence but I was sure she wouldn't appreciate the gesture.

"You don't have plans on telling me this, aren't you?" I somehow managed to summon my voice to remain steady and calm after everything I had learned. "You want to keep me in the dark about the existence of the child you lost."

I saw her wince at my words. I didn't mean to sound like I was blaming her for it but she took it that way. She eyed me coldly from the sofa. "Would it change anything if I told you this after you came home? Besides, you were nowhere to be found when I needed you the most. You could not even take my phone call even for a moment. You are aware that I will not interfere with your work unless it is a serious matter."

Ouch. I think I deserve that barb since I assume that time her phone call's timing as off since I was in the middle of a meeting. I remember I told my secretary at that time that I would call her as soon as my meeting ended.

"Furthermore, you should be thanking me instead of upbraiding me for your narrow escape to the woman who is unable to bear your children anymore. I thought you said in the past that you want a huge family of our own—at least, five children?"

"You heartlessly divorce me just like that..." I snapped my fingers together, staring at her in disbelief. "...because you thought I would not want you any longer because you can't have babies anymore?"

"Yes." She answered flatly. "What else do you want from me then?"

I took an angry breath. "What about the fact that you are my wife and that I love you so much the fact that I couldn't live without you by my side. Why didn't you consider those factors?"

"Didn't you tell me in the past that you want to bring children into our marriage as soon as possible? Even your family is already putting pressure on my shoulder they kept on asking me if there's no baby yet. Why still choose to stay married when I cannot give you the heirs your family desperately wanted?"

"Why not stay married when you know that I love you so damn much." I countered heatedly, remembering those painful days when she left me. "Do you have any idea how it killed me seeing you walk away from our marriage—from our vows?"

She stared at me helplessly, her green eyes were swirling with emotions. She moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue. "B-But you agree with the divorce..."

"Because I ask you if divorcing you would make you happy. You answered yes, remember?" I practically shouted at her, recalling that agonizing day I was so excited to finally come home after a major crisis in Hawaii eager to see my wife after so long only to find her waiting for me with divorce paper in her hands. "I gave you what you wanted even if it kills me to let you go. Your happiness is my number one priority."

She looked away, hugging her middle as if protecting herself. "I am only thinking what's best for you at that time. You deserve a woman who can bear you children."

"If you are thinking what's best for me maybe you should not have left me in the first place!" I informed her callously. I wanted to take her in my arms and shake her so I could put some sense in her twisted brain at the same time. "If you did that then maybe you spare us from unwanted heartache these past two years that we have separated."

"It doesn't matter now." She suddenly stood from her seat and looked at me with unreadable eyes. "Everything happens for a reason and this would not change the fact that we're already divorced. Maybe this might be a good opportunity to move on from the past now that I have told you everything."

"This is what you are good at, doesn't it? Running away from the problems instead of dealing with them?" I taunted her, standing at the back of the opposite sofa across to her gripping the sofa tightly for support.

She gasped, her eyes flickering with fire. "How dare you...!"

"Can't handle the truth, Sapphire?" I mocked, staring deep into her eyes. I was amazed when I saw the fire was back in her eyes. This time I would not let her run away from our problems instead I would force her to deal with them.

"Go back to the party, Loukas. I'm sure they are wondering where you went." She scowled at me openly. "I don't want people to put together that you and I are missing at the reception at the same time. It might give them the wrong impression."

"Ah, yes. Pushing me away like you always do in the past when you are starting to get uncomfortable with the topic." I commented, trying to look sanguine. "You are correct, this is what I should be doing right this moment partying at my cousin's wedding but sadly I am not in the mood to do so."

She rubbed her forehead with frustration. "I don't care. I think we don't have anything else to say here I'd better go."

I was by her side instantly. There was no way I would let her leave the island now after all that had been said. I clamped her dainty wrist and I was rewarded by an icy glare from her. "What do you think you're doing?"

"You cannot leave the island yet."

She was still glaring at me trying to remove herself from my grasp. "Who do you think you are to tell me what to do?"

I shrugged nonchalantly. "I'm your ex-husband."

"Save your sarcasm to others," My lovely ex-wife answered heatedly. "It won't work on me, Mr. Spiridakou."

I pulled her towards my body until no space separated us. I noticed how her breath was caught at the gesture I silently hid my smile. "I am just telling you the truth, my Sapphire. I am your ex-husband where is the sarcasm in that?"

"Let go of me now!"

I shook my head, staring deep into her pretty green eyes. I was sorely tempted to dip my head and claim those lovely lips. But not yet, there were still unsolved issues hanging over our heads. "Not yet."

"What is there you want from me?" She asked in frustration, her face filled with annoyance. "I have told you everything. You promise that you will stop bothering me once I tell you the reason for our divorce."

"If I remember correctly I didn't promise you anything, Sapphire." I slowly traced her cheeks so gently with the tips of my fingers. I noticed how she swallowed hard at the gesture. So she wasn't immune to my touch.

"Why are you doing this to me?" She queried softly, her eyes filled with anguish. I wipe those sorrows away from her lovely eyes, struggling to be from my touch. "Why are still acting like you care when we both know that it's already too late?"

I looked deep into her eyes, refusing to let her out of my arms ever again. "Is it really too late, Sap?"

"Yes." My ex-wife answered, looking away from my intense gaze. "The sooner we accept that we cannot go back to the way it was before the better. Besides, nothing would ever change even if you were at my side that time."

I watched her face for a moment. I could see that she was blocking all emotion in her, guarding herself against another heartache. "Maybe it would ease your conscience if I am the unfeeling bastard you want me to be, doesn't it?"

She gasped, this time she put a space between us. She hugged herself in the middle. "How can you say such things? Can't you see I am doing you a great favor giving you a chance to find a woman who isn't broken?"

"You are making decisions for me but what about feelings?"

Sapphire shot me an alert look, even now she's still strikingly beautiful in her cobalt evening dress. I want to peel that fabric off her body. "What do you mean?"

I sighed deeply, tucking my arms in the middle of my chest. "What if I still want that damaged woman I married—the same woman I promise to love in sickness and in health? How can you be so cruel to thrust me in the arms of another woman so easily?"

"Because I cannot give you children, that is!" She yelled in frustration.

"I don't care if cannot have children anymore." I countered, keeping my temper in check. "You should have trusted me with this. You should have let me stay at your side as we mourn for the loss of our child."

"You were abroad, remember?" She reminded me painfully. "I tried to call you but you were so damn busy at that moment. I survived on my own that's when I realized that I did not need you in my life. I will be fine on my own."

"I'm sorry..." I offered, lamenting my poor decision that day. If I just answered her phone call that day would we be in a different setting now?

"Your apology is a little too late now, don't you think?"

I was about to protest but then stopped myself. I could see that she hasn't forgiven me thinking that I abandoned her in the past but I hope in time I could earn her forgiveness. I noticed how worn out she was at the moment. It seems that revisiting the past has taken its toll on her. "Why don't you take some rest in the bedroom for a moment I think you need it."

She eyed me shrewdly. "I know where this invitation will lead."

"I'm not going to take advantage of you if that's what worrying you, Sapphire," I answered tightly. "I can see the exhaustion in your face. It was an innocent offer from a decent human being."

"Are you going back to the party?"

I barked a bitter laugh. "I told you I am in no mood to party. I am sure Dionne would understand if I didn't show up to her wedding reception."

"What will you do if I take a rest then?" She bit her lower lip. I could see that she was weighing her options. This time I needed to show her that she could still trust me. Even though I have the great urge inside me to take her to bed and bury myself in her warmth and forget all this pain.

I removed my bowtie as if it was choking me. I also undid the first two buttons of my tuxedo shirt. "I think I need a drink in my study room as I mourn for the child I am not aware that we lost privately. I promise that I will not seduce you, Sapphire. You can count on it."

She gauged my reaction for a moment before taking a deep breath. "Very well, I hold into your words to keep your words."

I watched her walk inside the bedroom once she was safely inside that was the only time I removed my tuxedo jacket and went to my study room as I promised. I poured myself a glass of ouzo and gulped the clear and silky liquid burning down my throat.

She shouldn't keep this secret from me. She should have told me about this when I got home from Hawaii. She should have thrown into a fit of rage in my direction for not being there with her when she fought for her life instead of walking away from all of this. If she just confronted me that time maybe we're not in this kind of a mess.

I poured myself another glass letting the liquor numb my feelings about the loss of our child. I took three more shots of the ouzo when I suddenly stormed out of my study room and went directly to the master's bedroom where my ex-wife was. My sole purpose was to demand what would happen between us now but I paused when I saw her soundly asleep on the right side of the massive bed, still wearing her evening dress and her golden hair spread on the white pillows.

I couldn't help but smile despite the pain in my heart. So she was still sleeping on the same side of the bed even after our divorce. She always preferred the right side while I slept on the left. "What should I do with you, my little jewel?" I murmured to her sleeping form. "How can I wipe the pain your miscarriage had caused you?

Suddenly, I found myself stripping my shoes and socks. I carefully lay beside her on the bed not wanting to wake her up. I knew we must look ridiculous going to bed still wearing our clothes from the wedding but I don't care. I buried my face in the familiar scent of her hair as I placed my arm securely in her slender waist.

For the first time in two years, I truly felt I was finally home. This was where we truly belonged—in this bed in each other's arms. As I lay beside her cradling her in my arms I realized one thing I would die if I let go of this woman ever again. I don't think I would survive the second time if she would walk out again in my life. Because Sapphire St. Clair wasn't just any woman for me.

This woman in my arms is my whole life... I mused silently, as I also surrendered to slumber.