Page 234 of Modern Romance September 2026 Books 1-4

‘You really must love me.’ He was amazed she hadn’t marched away, believing the worst.

Her chuckle sounded watery and he pulled back just enough to look into her flushed features. Her eyes were overbright. ‘Don’t cry, matia mou. It’s okay. Everything is going to be all right.’

‘I know. I just feel so happy.’

Was that what this feeling was? True happiness? It felt like wonderment mixed with joy and an optimism such as he’d never known. His smile was too huge to be contained. ‘Loving you is the best thing in my life.’

She blinked rapidly but her smile was so beautiful it transfixed him. ‘And our daughter.’

‘Of course. That goes without saying.’

‘You still haven’t explained everything.’

Panos stroked his hand through her vibrant curls. ‘And I still can’t believe you love me.’

It was a miracle, that the woman he’d wronged believed in him ‘I love you, Dido Diamandis. It’s taken me too long to realise how I feel about you. But looking back I realise the reason I proposed to you three years ago was that I’d fallen head over heels in love with you.’

As she had with him. Elation punched his chest.

Now her eyes shone like polished gems. ‘I wanted a family and stability but above all I wanted you. Needed you. I couldn’t articulate my feelings, didn’t even recognise them, but that’s why I reacted so badly when I thought you’d lied. For the first time I’d opened my heart and—’

‘You thought I’d betrayed you. Oh, Panos.’

‘I’m sorry. If I could go back in time—’

‘Sh.’ Dido pressed her fingertips to his lips. ‘That’s in the past.’ For a lingering moment she stared up at him as if she’d never seen anything so fascinating and he’d never felt so wonderful. ‘Now tell me what’s going on.’

He shrugged. ‘It’s simple. I’m taking you on a romantic weekend away, just the pair of us. Everyone’s sworn to secrecy. It was going to be a surprise.’

‘It was that.’

He grinned. ‘It was meant to be a good surprise. I’ve booked a castle—’

‘A castle? A real castle?’

He shrugged. ‘Just a little one, on the edge of a lake, surrounded by mountains. Very secluded and romantic, with several big four-poster beds.’

‘You wanted to make sure Athena was well protected while we were away, particularly with Charlie sniffing around.’ Her eyes danced. ‘I love the sound of a romantic getaway.’

‘I’d do anything for you, Dido. I haven’t wanted anyone else since I met you. You’re the only woman I’ve ever spent a whole night with, the only person I trust implicitly. The only woman I want to spend my life with. You mean everything, you and our little girl.’

Dido blinked brimming eyes. ‘Just when I think I couldn’t love you any more you go and say something like that.’

Panos felt a hot, scratchy sensation behind his eyes and swallowed hard. But he knew now these feelings for Dido didn’t make him weak. They made him strong.

‘Together we’re going to make a wonderful future.’

She rose and brushed a kiss to his lips. ‘I can’t wait.’

Being a man not given to hesitation, he scooped her close and kissed her thoroughly. She might believe in him, might love him, but he’d never take that for granted. He’d show her every day of their lives together exactly how much she meant to him.

The only woman in the world for him. His adored wife.

EPILOGUE

‘YOU AND PANOS throw a lovely party.’

Dido turned, hearing her aunt’s voice. Flavia had just returned from working in Asia and had headed straight to Athens to see them.