The Billionaire's Captive Flower

nd's

get out of town for a week to clear

rt vacation. The flight took off and eventually landed, transferring me straigh

k. Everything at the office and home has been sorted until I get b

rini smelled different. It didn't feel choked a

s blue horizon. I ordered a glass of Hatzidakis Assyrtiko de Lo

al dishes to find a favorite for the next day. The menu ranged from spanakopita and koulouri for breakf

, warm and bright. Stripping off my shirt and lea

ing the water from my skin, I grabbed a towel and walked back to my room. Seve

ath, washing away the lingering exhaustion

single tourists mingled and danced. I sat alone at a table, swirling my wine

ing streets of Santorini, and my eyes s

e. I need to go

ks and sculptures. I stepped inside, the cool interior a sharp contrast to the scorching Greek sun. The gallery was f

prominent local artist to command the wall of my office, and a heavy, masterfully crafted bronze and aluminum sculpture for

d. I was exhausted, having just collapsed

ounded

lem at hand, and you need

about work, P

t about w

what

ng for you. Take the next fl

that s

s, s

ll be ther

you,

ye

back to Spintex. I took one last look at the

outside, but that short vacation had been worth it. My driver was already waiting for me.

pt with. She was sitting there alongside Father Campbell and Mother Thess. I knew them well; Mom

ht all along. She had come back with her cheap s

called. "Do

emember," I

ago and you slept with a stranger,

room. She knew I was drunk, yet s

oked sad and hurt, but I refused t

dn't know what I was d

oland," Dad said, his voice dropping

d the room, t

er laughter. "You can do better than thi

a pregnancy? How am I even sure the baby is mine? Mom, Dad, please sett

Ivy is a good girl. She had never been with any man before you

n so she can escape the orphanage." I looked right at her, my voice dripping with contempt. "How muc

gh, Ro

d she is a good girl. You will take responsibility for you

on the desk, giving me an u

s either you marry her, or

into the world like that,

ody shaking with fear as I leaned do

zone, and you will burn. You

this," I argued, spinn

Dad answered, staring right back at me without blinking. "Th