He killed his mother? No. That couldn’t be right.
She was most definitely missing something.
Her gaze searched his face for answers but found none. “I don’t understand.”
He stared out at the vast landscaped yard with its elaborate water fountain and gorgeous flower garden. “My mother died after giving birth to me. And my father blamed me for her death until his own dying breath.”
Suddenly she understood him so much better. This was why he was always on a new adventure. Who would want to stick around to be blamed for something that was in no way his fault?
Popi reached out, placing her hand on his arm. “Surely you understand that it wasn’t your fault.”
“I understand that I was an accident. Once my father got my brother, he wasn’t interested in having more children, but he was willing to indulge my mother. But when it all went so horribly wrong, I was blamed. I was just a child but I knew my father hated me.”
“He didn’t hate you.” She just couldn’t believe that was true. Could a parent really hate their child? She couldn’t accept such a horrible reality for him. “Your father was grieving his wife.”
Apollo turned a haunted look at her. “For years?” He shook his head. “I don’t think so.”
“I’m sorry you lived through that.”
“I had my brother. He did his best to shield me. He stood up to my father when I wasn’t old enough to do it myself.”
“I had no idea you and your brother were that close.”
“We used to be. In fact, we used to play hide-and-seek out in the gardens. I was good at hiding. My brother, not so much. We used to have all sorts of adventures out there.”
“And this place, it reminds you of those times?” She couldn’t help but ask. She’d noticed he spent a great amount of time either running errands or working in the gardens. If he kept working outside, she was pretty certain the entire grounds, and that was a massive amount of property, would end up being one enormous exotic garden.
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I guess. My brother inherited the controlling shares of the family business, while I inherited a much smaller share and this estate.”
“I understand now why you think Seb should be raised here, but what about my sister’s wishes?” Andrina wasn’t here to speak for her herself and without a will, Popi had to do it. Because they might not have been blood relatives, but they were as close as two sisters could be. “She would want her son to know me...to have a mother figure...someone who understands that families come in all shapes and sizes. His family will be different than most of his friends’, but his life will be filled with love that he can always count on.”
Apollo nodded in agreement. “You are right. So, you think it is best for him to split time between here and Infinity Island?”
She smiled, knowing she’d finally gotten through to him. And then she nodded.
“Or you could stay here.”
“Here?” The smile slipped from her face. Was he serious? “With you?”
“That’s the general idea, but I can see you don’t like the idea.”
“It’s just that my career...my home...it’s back on the island.” She loved Seb, but she loved her job too. She didn’t want to have to pick one over the other. And living here with Apollo, knowing the chemistry between them—it was a recipe for disaster.
“Keep my offer in mind. This mansion is more than big enough for both of us.” He paused as though waiting for her to respond, but she didn’t know what to say. She’d been caught off guard. And so he continued. “Speaking of the mansion, I keep forgetting to tell you that I’ve started a household account in your name.”
“My name?”
He nodded. “It’s so you can set up the nursery any way you want. Feel free to paint, buy new drapes or whatever you want. If there isn’t enough, let me know.”
He was now Seb’s financial guardian. Plus from what she’d gleaned about him on the internet, Apollo came with his own great wealth. Still, it felt weird to take money from him. She was used to standing on her own feet and paying her own way. She’d been doing that ever since she finished college. And she liked her independence.