Chapter Six

Toby

I leaned back in my chair, exhaling slowly as I stared at the list of missed calls on my desk from my brothers Theron and Piers.

They had tried calling me multiple times.

They wouldn’t let this go.

A muscle ticked in my jaw as I picked up the phone, already knowing this conversation would be unpleasant.

There was no version of this situation that made sense to them, none of it made sense to me. 

The line rang once before Theron answered.

“Toby.” His tone was calm.

“How did the groundbreaking go?” I asked in Greek, keeping my voice even.

“You disappear without any explanation, miss a major event, and that’s your first question?”. I didn’t respond.

“I will add Piers to this call,” he continued. “You can explain everything once.”

Before I could object, the line shifted and Piers didn’t waste time.

“What the hell is going on?” he demanded. “You vanish, ignore calls, and now you are still in New York when you should be in London. Start talking.”

I closed my eyes briefly, already feeling the pressure build.

“It would appear,” I said slowly, “that the two of you are going to be uncles.”

“You are sure?” Theron asked carefully.

My jaw tightened. “Five months ago, she was with me. Exclusively.”

Piers scoffed.

“Right. Because your judgment where she is concerned has been flawless.”

“Enough,” Theron said sharply.

But the damage was done.

Because Piers wasn’t wrong.

“What does she have to say for herself?” Theron asked.

I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the desk.

“She doesn’t remember anything, all her memory is gone due to the trauma she experienced.”

“Convenient,” Piers muttered.

I ignored him.

“I have seen her,” I continued. “She is not pretending, she really does not remember.”

Images flashed through my mind unbidden, her pale face and the confusion in her eyes.

The way she had looked at me like I was a stranger.

There was no calculation there. 

“You expect us to believe that?” Piers pressed.

“I don’t care what you believe,” I said coldly. “I’m telling you what is actually happening, giving you facts.”

Theron exhaled slowly. “And what do you plan to do?”

This was the part they wouldn’t like.

“We are leaving for Greece,” I said. “As soon as she is strong enough.”

“Absolutely not,” Piers snapped immediately. “You are bringing her back? After what she did?”

“She is carrying my child.”

The words came out harder than I intended.

“That doesn’t change what she is,” Piers shot back. “We lost two major deals because of her. Our designs are being used by competitors because you let her get close.”

The accusation hung in the air heavy. 

My hand curled into a fist.

“I’m aware of what we lost.”

“And yet you are still protecting her.”

“I am protecting my child not her.”

“There are other options,” Piers said after a moment. “Set her up somewhere discreet. Ensure the pregnancy is handled. Then cut ties.”

I dismissed it immediately.

“No.” The word was quiet.

“She stays where I can see her.”

Where I can control the situation.

Where I can ensure nothing like this happens again.

Theron spoke this time, his tone more measured.

“You have already decided haven't you.”

“Yes.” there was another pause.

“Fine,” Theron said. “We will handle things here, focus on your situation.”

Piers made a sound of clear disapproval but didn’t argue further.

“And Toby?” Theron added.

“Yes.”

“congratulations.” The word felt strange and unfamiliar to me. But I acknowledged it anyway.

“Thank you.” The call ended.

I set the phone down slowly, my gaze drifting toward the hallway, toward the bedroom and where she was.

Nothing about this situation made sense, not her disappearance or the missing memories and yet, one thing was clear. I  couldn’t let her go, atleast not now. 

Not when she carried something that tied her to me permanently.