Chapter 29
One Month Later
Y ulianna
“I could never forget your face even if I were to go blind.”
Thinking of Eddie reminded me why I couldn’t run screaming from the church. My father had walked me down the aisle and kissed my cheek as he handed me off to a monster. If I had a knife, I would’ve stabbed them both.
The priest had been talking for an hour, but I was in Spain with Eddie. Truthfully, my heart and mind had never left the beach, and every day when I woke up, I pictured his arms around me as we kissed. Our time in paradise had been worth going through with this wedding and so much more. I stood before this altar strong and composed, content, knowing that I was carrying Eddie’s child.
Frida had bought me a kit to use and as soon as it showed positive, a wave of relief washed over me that made my knees weak. I’d sunk to the floor and cried with joy until there were no tears left. My mother had asked her long-time friend and handmaiden to book an appointment with her doctor. Our personal nurse pulled my blood, and my mother got the call yesterday that I was indeed pregnant.
“Do you have vows prepared,” the priest asked, and I glanced at Christov.
“No,” I said, my voice as flat and emotionless as I felt inside. I would go through with this for my baby, but knowing what was to come later made me feel sick.
“We’ll do the traditional vows,” Christov said, glaring at me.
I ignored him and stared at the cross on the wall behind the priest, repeating whatever it was that he said. My mind was systematically shutting down to get through the rest of the day.
“Would it kill you to smile,” Christov growled at me. I blinked and looked up at him before realizing we were outside for pictures.
“If you wanted smiles, you should’ve married someone who liked you. Since I don’t, this is what you get. I’m only here because my father is forcing me to be,” I whispered with a vicious edge.
“Is this how it’s always going to be?”
“If you have to ask that question, then you’re stupider than you look,” I said.
Tired of this whole affair, I started to march away, but he grabbed my arm and jerked me back.
“Let go of me,” I snarled and yanked my arm out of his hold. He looked around at the group of people watching us. “Don’t ever do that again.”
“You need to learn manners,” he snarled quietly.
“You need to die and rot in hell, but neither of us is going to get our wish, at least not today.”
His face turned a violent shade of red when I walked away. I passed my father and shot daggers at him with my eyes. My mother followed me along with Vlad and Mylo. Once I was far enough away, I stopped behind a tree and nearly collapsed. Mom grabbed me and held me tight, my body trembling as I fought back the tears.
“My sweet girl. I’m so sorry,” she whispered, rubbing my back. “I know you want to throw your gloves off and go rounds with this man, but darling, you can’t do that.”
“It’s so hard. I hate him.”
“You’ve come this far, you can’t give up now. Do this for your baby. If he gets violent, you could miscarry. Try not to stress. I know it’s hard, but just relax and focus on you and your child. That’s all that matters.”
“Okay,” I said, but that one word had never felt so difficult to say.
Swallowing every bit of pride I possessed, I laid my hand over my stomach and took a deep, steadying breath. I could do this. I could do this. Stepping away from the tree, I walked back to Christov and slapped a fake smile on my face.
“Glad to see someone can talk sense into you,” he muttered under his breath. I didn’t acknowledge that he said a word.
Dinner and speeches were a blur, but at least Christov had stopped trying to order me around. We danced what was expected of us, but when it came to the father-daughter dance, I walked off and refused to return. Instead, I found Nathaniel and took his hand.
His little face lit up as he wiggled his butt and showed off the new moves he’d learned since last year. My heart was full watching my baby cousin. Nathaniel was the reason that I could breathe in this stuffy room with the too-tight dress and all eyes on me.
Eight months from now, I’d have my baby, and that was what mattered. Eddie was convinced we were having a girl and wanted to call her Lilya. I loved the name.
Two hours later, Christov and I said our goodbyes. We were whisked away in a limo to a hotel. My guards followed us up to the room, and I could tell Vlad wanted to be inside. I shook my head, no, and they took up position in the hallway.
“You have very dedicated guards,” Christov commented as he closed the door in their faces.
“They were trained well by my father before they were assigned to me.”
“We won’t need them when you move into my house,” Christov said.
“Maybe not, but I’m bringing them with me, or I’m not coming at all,” I said as we walked into the bedroom.
“You think you’re so smart.”
Like a snake striking, Christov grabbed me by the neck and smacked me so hard across the face that I saw stars. Then, my head snapped to the side when he backhanded me immediately after.
“You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for this moment,” he growled.
I wanted to fight back, but my mother’s words were loud in my ringing ears, reminding me of what I had to lose. Biting my tongue, I kept quiet as he slapped me hard enough to make my teeth rattle. My eyes watered, but I made no noise.
Christov fisted my hair and dragged me over to the bed, forcing me face down on the mattress. He didn’t even bother to take my dress off as he pulled down his zipper. I closed my eyes and prayed for this to be over, shutting out everything else.
One day, I will be free. One day, I will be free.
Edmundo
Smack, smack, smack.
My fists flew at the heavy bag, sending it swinging wildly with the force of each blow. Every punch that landed I pictured Christov’s face. My pent-up frustration needed an outlet, or I would go insane. I had come downstairs to my gym hours ago and had no idea what time it was and didn’t care.
The hard rock music blaring through the speakers matched my dark mood. The wedding would be long over, and my heart couldn’t take the pain of what that meant. I thought I could handle this, but now that the day was here...I’d almost shot someone just because they asked me a question. The rage was all-consuming and running wild through my veins like a forest fire. There was no cooling it off.
Ana was mine. She had been for years, and now she was pregnant with my child. Meanwhile, I was stuck here in a marriage of convenience, and she was married to that fucking asshole Christov.
“Ah!” The roar that ripped from my chest was filled with so much pain that it was as if my soul left my body.
The music suddenly shut off, leaving my ears ringing. I turned around to bite the head off whoever had dared disturb me, but it was Paul standing by the controls.
“I don’t want to hear it,” I said, marching away.
Picking up my water, I looked at my hands and realized they were slick with blood. I’d split open my knuckles and hadn’t noticed. After chugging down half the bottle, I yelled and threw the rest. It hit the mirror before spraying liquid all over the floor.
Leaning against the wall, I slid down and hung my head. This was only day one. How was I supposed to live this way?
Paul didn’t say a word as he sat down beside me. He placed an open bottle of whiskey between us. I snatched it and drank four pulls before setting it back down. Not even the burn of alcohol could match my anger.
“I know you said you didn’t think this was a good idea, but…I thought I could do it. I really did, but it’s killing me, Paul.”
“I have something else for you,” he said, ignoring my rant.
“I’m not sure I can down two bottles of whiskey unless you plan to drive me to the hospital.”
Paul reached into a bag I hadn’t even noticed and pulled out a folder.
“Work? You think that will help make me feel better?”
“Just take the file,” he said, holding it out to me, but yanked it back as I went to reach for it. “On second thought, wipe your hands off first.”
Mumbling profanities under my breath, I picked up my towel and wiped off the blood. My hands were still stained, but it would have to do. Taking the file, I flipped it open and began reading over the pages.
“Paul…how did you get this?”
“I can’t tell you that,” he said, and I looked over at him. “But it’s legit.”
“This will destroy the Ivankov family. They’ll lose everything, including their political seat,” I said, a spark of exhilaration filling me with the possibilities of how and when to use this. “It’ll take me time to accumulate enough funds to complete, take over, and then destroy their reputation, but I can do it.”
“You never got this from me,” Paul said, and I nodded.
“You always amaze me, my friend.” Closing the folder and putting it on my lap, I stared at the wall. “I know you don’t want to hear it, but it hurts so fucking much.”
Paul picked up the bottle and took a swig before setting it back down.
“I know it does. But can I be honest?”
“I don’t know if I can handle the truth, but fine.”
“It’s worse for her.” I turned my head and glared at him, but he just shrugged. “Be strong for her. She’s going to need you. What you feel means nothing. Sorry, but it’s true.”
“On second thought, I may need a second bottle,” I grumbled and laid my head back.
“Thank you, Paul,” I said a little while later. He was right.
“You’re welcome.”
I jumped as my phone vibrated under my cheek. Lifting my head, I blinked and looked around trying to remember how the hell I ended up on the floor of my office, but it was all a blur.
Paul was passed out on my leather couch.
How the hell did he get the couch?
My head pounded as I picked up my phone, trying to see who it was. Giving up, I signed in and went to the text messages. I immediately sobered up at the sight of Ana’s smiling contact photo.
A: I love you, and I’m okay.
E: God, it’s so good to hear from you. I love you so much.
A: That’s not what you’re supposed to say.
I laughed even though it hurt my head and my heart.
E: I love you more.
A: Impossible.