Free Mistaken Identity by Alyssa J. Montgomery Page B

pulse skipped a beat. Would the counsellor be able to tell she wasn’t a recovering junkie?
    The beautiful Greek girl waiting for her seemed way too young to be a drug counsellor.
    Soula seemed uncomfortable as she made the introductions. ‘Miss Hamlin, this is Elena Moustakis.’
    ‘Hello, Susan.’
    ‘Elena? Not…’ Leah’s voice trailed off.
    ‘Yes. I’m Spiros’s fiancée.’

Chapter 5
    The computer screen of Leah’s mind went blank, then her brain slowly rebooted. A huge cluster of diamonds sparkled on Elena’s ring finger. Leah’s stomach contracted then seemed to plummet toward her feet.
    ‘Excuse me.’ Soula shifted uneasily, averting her eyes. ‘Please call for me if you need anything.’
    Elena nodded.
    Leah was tense as the housekeeper left. She studied Elena, feature by feature, and was impressed by her extraordinary beauty. Dark black hair. Liquid brown eyes. A sensational figure.
    Leah could see she was nervous about this meeting. The Greek woman had her head held high and kept her back straight, but she was shaking.
    ‘I get straight to the point,’ Elena’s accented voice quavered. ‘I want to know why you’re here.’
    Leah felt awkward. ‘Alex arranged for me to be here.’
    ‘Where is Spiros?’
    ‘I honestly don’t know.’
    ‘But you know about me, yes?’
    Leah nodded her head warily.
    ‘I heard of you too, Susan. I know Spiros’s been seeing you, but that is to end before we marry next month. I —’
    ‘Next month?’ Leah interrupted, aghast.
    ‘Yes,’ Elena confirmed. ‘You not know this?’
    ‘No.’ Her mind was in chaos.
    ‘The date’s been planned for a year.’
    Leah’s mouth fell open. ‘Did you and Spiros set the date for the wedding together?’
    ‘But of course! I know Spiros all my life. We, how you say?’ She searched for the words. ‘Childhood sweethearts. We always plan to marry.’
    Without responding, Leah’s heart constricted. She could see how brave Elena was being, coming to face the person she thought was her rival.
    ‘I love him with my whole heart.’ Elena’s voice caught on a slight sob, and Leah’s own heart lurched again at the raw pain she could see in the girl’s eyes. Everything in Leah felt empathy for this beautiful, brave Greek girl, but her compassion was tempered by the knowledge that Susie’s happiness was also at stake.
    ‘I’m sorry.’ The words were inadequate, but what else could she say?
    ‘I know you’re famous and talented. He’s captivated by you, but we plan our lives together.’ Elena took a deep breath. ‘I know it’s accepted for young Greek men to have affairs before marriage. Even mistress after marriage. But not for me. You not be Spiros’s mistress. You understand, yes?’
    Leah almost cringed in shame. ‘I think you should talk to Spiros.’
    ‘No! You accept the affair with him is over.’
    Leah swallowed down, trying to dislodge the thick mass of emotion clogging her throat. She was unable to think of a single response. The girl expected to be Mrs Spiros Kristidis in a month’s time. It would break her heart when she found out about Susie and Spiros.
    How could Alex’s brother marry Susie without breaking up with Elena first? Was Alex right? Was Spiros only marrying Susie because of the baby?
    ‘Have you and he had a disagreement?’ Leah had to know whether there were problems between Spiros and Elena that she was glossing over.
    ‘No!’ Elena clenched her fists into balls at her side. ‘You caused the problems. You and Alex.’
    ‘Alex?’ Leah didn’t see how it could be Alex’s fault. He was doing everything he could to keep Spiros and Susie apart. ‘What’s Alex got to do with it?’
    ‘Alex promised his father he look after Spiros, but he’s too controlling. He treats Spiros like a child. Spiros loves me. He’s not interested in you, but he’s trying to prove Alex can no control him. That he is a man capable of his own decisions.’
    ‘But he’s hurting you.’
    ‘I