Chapter 31
Lilya – Three Weeks Old
Y ulianna
I’d just gotten Lilya down when the nursery door opened. I looked over my shoulder and swore in my head when I saw Christov.
“I need you to sign this,” he said, holding out a piece of paper.
“Shh, I just got her to sleep,” I growled.
Lilya had been colicky lately and hadn’t been sleeping. He rolled his eyes at me like I hadn’t been the one spending every waking moment with her and didn’t know what I was talking about. He hadn’t even held her, not that I cared, but it was the attitude. Checking to make sure she was still sound asleep, I kissed her forehead and walked out into the hall, closing the door behind me.
He held out the paper, and I took it, reading it over before I laughed.
“You’re joking, right? You want me to sign off that your illegitimate son with your live-in whore is mine? Have you lost your mind?”
Smack.
I hadn’t expected the slap. Christov grabbed my arms and pushed me up against the wall, getting right in my face.
“You will sign,” he growled, and I spit in his face. “Bitch,” he yelled and threw me down the hallway.
I winced as I hit the floor and slid into a chair. Christov stomped toward me, and I glared up at him. Now that Lilya was born, I would kill him myself. As he reached for me, I leaned back and kicked up, catching him in the chest and forcing him back.
“Don’t fucking touch me.”
The devil was in his eyes as Christov stood there, clenching his hands into fists. But I held firm, not moving. He sucked in a deep breath before taking a single step back and held up his hands like he was surrendering. That was an act I didn’t believe for one second.
“Let’s make a deal.”
“What kind of deal?”
“I know you still love Edmundo.” I didn’t say anything and didn’t flinch. “You don’t have to respond. I love Alina.”
“Poor her,” I said, and his nostrils flared. “Just get on with it.”
“Fine. If you want to see Edmundo once a year, for a few days, I’ll overlook it.”
I sneered.
“You move your mistress into the house we share, drag her to my bachelorette getaway with you, and your deal is granting me a few days a year? Oh, how fucking kind. Shall I grovel at your feet with thanks?” I pushed myself up, very aware of the heavy candlestick holder on the decorative table right beside me. “I think not. Try again and make it a real offer this time.”
Christov’s jaw twitched. I hadn’t foreseen having this card to play, but if he was going to offer it, then I would make sure it won me a whole lot more than a few chips.
“Twice a year.” I scoffed and crossed my arms. Christov sighed. “Four times a year for a weekend.”
“Make it a week, and you have a deal.”
“Fine four times a year for a week.” He held out the papers and I shook my head at him.
“Do I look like I was born yesterday? I want it in writing that you’re offering me this deal with Eddie. You can leave out the why and his name. Just put that we have agreed to an open marriage and you can’t come after me for adultery and steal my inheritance.”
“I can’t put it in writing.”
“Oh yes, you can, or no deal. No one will see it other than my lawyer and yours. Do it, or that son of yours will remain a bastard forever. You can take your chances that we’ll conceive again, but it might take years. If I don’t claim him, what will your staunch parents think? Do you believe they’ll accept Sabastian and his mother, the prostitute?”
“How do I explain that I didn’t announce that you were in labor and had twins to my parents?”
“That’s not my problem. I had our child. You are the one lying to people, so figure it out,” I snapped back.
Christov stomped away and then turned to face me.
“I fucking hate you,” he growled.
“The feeling is mutual. We’re in this mess because of you, so if you want to blame someone, then look in a mirror. I never wanted to marry you, but you forced me. Remember?”
“My father ordered me to marry you.”
I’d already figured that out. Whether I was the initial intended victim of an arranged marriage to Christov didn’t matter. When the opportunity was presented to Mr. Ivankov senior, he jumped at the chance. As if they would openly allow their son to marry someone with no name, wealth, or power and who had worked in a brothel.
“Look, it’s obvious that we despise one another, but we’re stuck. So, here’s the deal, Christov. I looked the other way when you moved Alina in here, and I don’t go near her. I can either scream from the rooftops about your ongoing affair and make sure that no one ever believes that child is mine, or….” I held up my hands before he had another meltdown. “I continue to look the other way and sign the papers to appease your family. But I want more than the visits. I never want you to come near my daughter. I know you don’t and won’t love her, and I don’t want her life tainted with your hatred for me. Leave us alone. I’ll leave you alone, and we all win.”
He looked back at Lilya’s door, and I could feel him thinking.
“This isn’t difficult. I know that your friends don’t care who you sleep with, but you’ll never see a dime of your inheritance if your parents find out Sabastian isn’t mine.”
Was it true? Based on what I knew, most likely. But it was still a bluff because men in this world paid handsomely to keep lies hidden. They didn’t care who they hurt or about the truth.
“Fuck…you better sign this paperwork,” he growled before he turned and marched away. I waited until he got to the top of the stairs and called his name.
“Oh, and Christov….” He looked over his shoulder at me. “If you ever hit me again, I don’t care what contracts we have in place. I’ll make it my sole mission to destroy you, your reputation, and your life.”
He looked like he was going to blow a gasket as his face turned bright red. Instead of responding to my threat, he jogged down the stairs, passed my guard, and disappeared. Vlad came up with a plate of food in his hand and looked at me.
“I’m okay. I promise,” I said, collapsing into the chair.
Lilya began to cry again, and I groaned.
“Come on, baby girl, give mommy a break. I need sleep, too.”
“I’ve got her,” Vlad said.
“You sure?” He nodded and slipped into Lilya’s room.
This would’ve been so much easier with Frida here, but Christov had banned her from the property after Lilya was born. He just didn’t want anymore potential witnesses to whatever they were planning. Prick. Vlad and Mylo got a pass because he still thought they worked for my father. I was sure that one day he would figure out they didn’t, and then I was really going to be all alone with him and Alina. I shuddered but was too tired to move. As Lilya quieted, I felt my eyes grow heavier.
Lilya – One-Year-Old
No matter what Christov agreed to, I didn’t trust him.
Anytime Eddie and I met up, I took his jet with an altered flight plan so Christov couldn’t track where we went. It was worth it for the look on Eddie’s face when he got to see Lilya in person. What was even better was her smile when he lifted her into the air and then refused to leave her side until she was asleep. Even then, I would find them napping on the couch together. Lilya on his chest, and his hand on her back. If she moved even a finger, his eyes popped open and then closed again.
But today was Lilya’s birthday and I’d refused an invitation from my father. His note said that he wanted to bury the hatchet, but I didn’t trust him not to pull it out, only to drive it deeper into my back. Especially since I knew that his businesses were taking a hit with Eddie’s constant harassment of his shipments, blocking his deals, and generally making his life a living hell. My father was still powerful with his political ties, and that would never change, but Eddie had found other ways to make him suffer.
“Happy birthday, dear Lilya. Happy birthday to you,” we sang.
It was a small yet dedicated group that had gathered at my mother’s retreat. Mom, Frida, Vlad, Mylo, Marcus, and Eddie.
“Yay,” we cheered and clapped as Eddie blew out the single candle while Lilya reached for the cake.
She grabbed handfuls of the chocolatey frosting and smeared it all over her face as we laughed. I took dozens of photos like the paparazzi and couldn’t stop smiling. It might have seemed small in the grand scheme of things, but Eddie getting to spend time with Lilya on her birthday…was priceless.
Lilya – Two Years Old
Watching my daughter and her father bond was my favorite pastime.
After another busy birthday yesterday, Eddie had spent all day today with Lilya. They walked the paths through the forest and talked about things that no two-year-old should even be interested in, let alone have an opinion. If they weren’t doing that then Eddie was reading to her, or they were playing with her new flashcards.
Lilya amazed me every day, but watching Eddie with her was incredible. It was like they never spent any time apart. He went way overboard on her birthday. So many books and memory games that would’ve made any other child cry. But Lylia studied the world of knowledge at her fingertips with wonder.
“Tiger,” Lilya said, pointing at the page. She yawned and cuddled closer to Eddie, her raggedy old stuffed animal clutched in her arms. Her eyes were only half open.
“I think it’s time for bed,” Eddie said, and Lilya nodded.
Eddie smiled at me, and I had to bite my lip to keep from bursting into tears. I would’ve had twenty children with him. My ovaries confirmed it when he stood, tucked Lilya in, and kissed the top of her head.
He moved her sippy cup closer to the edge of the nightstand so she could easily grab it. Then turned on her nightlight before slipping out the door. I shouldn’t have been surprised that he knew her bedtime routine. He knew everything about Lilya after only being told once.
Grabbing his hand, I dragged him down the hall to the room I’d claimed at my mother’s retreat and pushed him inside. He smiled and chuckled when I closed the door and practically mauled him with kisses as my hands roamed over his body.
He pulled off the T-shirt he was wearing, and I licked my lips.
“Did you miss me, Ana,” Eddie growled against my neck, making me shiver.
“Yes, every second of every day,” I said, the last word ending in a moan.
“Do you want me to make love to you or fuck you?”
“Fuck me, right now. I need you to fuck me hard. Make me yours all over again.”
The rumble in his chest had my knees shaking and I had no idea how I stayed vertical.
“You’re mine,” he growled, nipping the sensitive skin under my ear.
I squealed as Eddie grabbed my ass and dragged me up his body. Between the sweetness that came so naturally and the burning passion in his eyes, it was a miracle I didn’t melt or combust whenever he was near.
“I love you,” I said as he laid me down on the bed.
“I love you more.”
I smiled.
“Impossible.”
Lilya – Three Years and Two Months Old
As much as I didn’t want to do this, I had to admit that Lilya looked adorable in her little velvet dress, patent leather shoes, and winter coat. She was like a miniature movie star and even flicked her hair over her shoulder like she knew tonight was a big deal.
Christov had insisted that we go to the Nutcracker Ballet. It was a tradition with his family, and considering that I hadn’t seen the Ivankovs since the shower they threw for the ‘twins’ birth, they expected us to attend with the children.
“You look beautiful, baby,” I said, and her eyes, so much like Eddie’s, lit up.
“I’m pretty,” she said, smoothing down her dress and making me laugh.
“Yes, you are. We better get going, or we’ll be late.”
I took her small hand in mine and left the nursery. Vlad waited in the hall wearing a tux, his eyes still as focused as ever.
My eyes narrowed as we reached the bottom of the stairs and saw Alina standing with Christov and Sabastian. I didn’t want Christov, but that didn’t mean I liked Alina. She was conniving, and I trusted her less than him. There was also the respect issue. We didn’t have a normal marriage, but I disliked being forced to go out in public with his mistress as a third wheel.
When Sabastian saw me and Lilya he pulled away from Alina and ran over, hugging my leg. He really was an adorable child despite his parents.
“Yu-ee-anna,” he chimed cheerfully.
“Hi there, Sabastian. You look very handsome,” I said, squatting to hug him and then pretending to straighten his collar. He smiled wide.
“Can Lilya play tomorrow?”
“Sure, do you two want to go to the park?”
“Yes,” they squealed and started chatting excitedly.
They were adorable together and looked just enough alike with Sabastian’s dark brown hair and blue eyes that, at this age, we could pull off the twins lie.
“Are you ready,” Christov asked.
“No, I thought I’d just come down dressed up for fun.”
“Is this how it’s going to be all night?”
“You tell me. Why is she coming to an event where we’re supposed to be seen as a couple?”
“I have a name,” Alina said.
“I don’t care,” I said, not bothering to look at her. I stared at Christov, waiting for a response.
“She’s coming as our nanny to look after the children.”
“I don’t need a nanny.”
“Yulianna, for once, can you not turn everything into an argument?”
I glanced at Alina and Christov, then shook my head.
“Fine, but tomorrow I take the kids to the park, alone. I have no interest in hanging around either of you.”
Alina took a step forward like she was going to argue, but Christov grabbed her arm.
“That seems fair.”
“Then let’s go.”
Leaving the house, the kids raced outside for the limousine and scrambled through the open door. The ride to the theater would’ve been deathly quiet and awkward if it weren’t for Lilya and Sabastian playing and laughing. We pulled up in front and there was already a crowd gathered outside in their most expensive outfits.
“Yulianna, come here. You’ll get out with me,” Christov said, and Alina’s face darkened.
Sliding closer and taking a deep breath to prepare myself for this performance, I reminded myself that Eddie and I were almost in the clear. He was now a Don and well on his way to becoming a Don of Dons. The second that happened, I was out of here.
Christov got out and offered me his arm. I smiled as I stepped out, and the only reason I trusted Alina with Lilya was because Vlad would never leave her alone. When I glanced back, Alina looked as miserable as a cut dog. She followed us, holding hands with the children.
Christov’s father spotted us when we walked through the grand doors and walked over. He was already well on his way to having too much to drink. His eyes were glassy, and his cheeks resembled the painted face of the massive wooden nutcracker by the door.
“There you all are. How wonderful to see you out in public together. I hate that we see eachother so little,” Mr. Ivankov senior said before his eyes landed on Alina. He tried to hide it, but Christov’s father knew who Alina was and who she was to his son.
“I see you brought the help. You couldn’t have brought someone more suitable to care for the children? This one is only good for laying on her back,” he grumbled under his breath.
It was a damn good thing that I didn’t have a drink because it would’ve been all over the floor.
“Father,” Christov growled.
For a split second, I felt sorry for Alina. I didn’t like her, but I would never bully her like this over her station or lack thereof. Poking at Christov about it was a completely other story.
Mr. Ivankov senior ignored his son and turned to me.
“Yulianna, you grow more beautiful every time I see you.”
“Thank you,” I said, lowering my eyes to play my role of dutiful and happy wife.
“There are my grandchildren. They grow so quickly. When do you and Christov think you’ll be having more?”
“Oh…I….”
“That is a conversation between me and Yulianna and not appropriate for the ballet. Shall we go to our seats,” Christov asked.
At that moment I saw all the parallels between Christov and myself, but it didn’t matter. He’d set this ball in motion. He could’ve chosen anyone, but he picked me to get back at Eddie. I would never forgive him or Alina for their treachery, greed, or the part they played in ruining my life.
Mr. Ivankov senior slid his arm through mine. “Very well, but I’m escorting Yulianna inside. I want the rest of the men to be jealous.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” I said, looking at Christov and Alina, who both looked furious for totally different reasons.
“Nonsense, my son can’t tell me what to do. At least, not until I’m six feet under, and maybe not even then.”
I was quickly regretting attending the ballet, and that said a lot.
A few hours later, I had just finished tucking Lilya in and walked into my bedroom to change when I smelled smoke. I ran to the bathroom and there was a fire in my garbage bin.
“Oh my god.”
Pulling off my shirt, I wrapped it around my hand, grabbed the edge, and tossed it into the tub.
“Ouch.”
Sucking in a deep breath, I shook out my hand. It didn’t look burnt, but that metal can was hot. I turned on the faucet, and it didn’t take long for the fire to go out. Looking around, I tried to figure out what could’ve caused it.
“You really shouldn’t leave candles burning unattended, Yulianna. That’s how accidents happen. Good thing you found that fire so quickly,” Alina said, and I turned to see her standing in the middle of my bedroom, watching me.
I swallowed hard as I stared into her crazy eyes.
“Get out of my room, you lunatic,” I growled and marched toward her, my hands clenched.
Like the coward she was, she giggled and ran out the door. That was fucking creepy. I thought I knew creepy, but that was a whole other level. I almost expected her to run away on all fours like someone possessed in a horror movie. Grabbing my phone, I sent Mylo a text. He was downstairs getting a bite to eat but had already taken over for Vlad.
Y: When you come up, I want you to stay in Lilya’s room. I’ll keep the adjoining door open.
M: Did something happen?
Y: This place is getting crazier by the day.
After checking the hall for Alina, I locked the door. I was tempted to pull my dresser in front of it. This had to be about tonight and was most likely a one-off tantrum, but still…I needed to be more vigilant than ever before.
Lilya – Three Years and Five Months Old
Something wasn’t right.
I’d been feeling lethargic all day, but now my stomach was upset, and I was suddenly wheezing. I stumbled out of Lilya’s bedroom, and Mylo grabbed me before I collapsed.
“Yulianna, what’s wrong?”
“I don’t know.”
“I’m taking you to the hospital,” he said and started to carry me away.
“No, you can’t leave Lilya here. Call my mom first. She needs to be here. Christov won’t deny her entry.”
He eased me down to the floor and took out his phone. I grabbed my stomach as the pain intensified and nausea hit. Mylo was talking, but all I could focus on was the garbage pail at the end of the hall. I crawled over and vomited just as Mylo grabbed my hair, pulling it up and out of the way.
“Your mother is on the way, but I really think we should leave now. I know how to get Lilya into the car seat,” Mylo said.
“No, you’ll still have to leave her alone, and that can’t happen,” I growled. “My daughter is more important than I am. If something happens to me, you have your orders,” I said and threw up again.
Everything was fuzzy after my mother arrived, but I heard her say she’d get Lilya ready and meet us at the hospital.
There were snippets of a drive, being carried into the hospital, and wincing as an IV was put into my hand. Blood had been taken, and they’d found a way to help me stand long enough to pee into a container. The next thing I knew I was blinking away the bright sunlight hurting my eyes.
“Mom?”
“Hey there, sweetheart, you’re going to be okay.”
“What’s wrong with me?”
“You had trace amounts of two foreign chemicals in your system. One caused your breathing issues. It’s found in eye drops. Could you have ingested some by accident?”
My eyes rolled up, and I glared at the ceiling. I didn’t have eyedrops in my room, didn’t have contact lens solution, or anything else. There was only one way that a strange chemical could’ve gotten into my system, and his name was Christov.
“Mom, did something happen to Mr. Ivankov?”
Her brow wrinkled as she thought. “I’ll have to ask your father.” She gasped and grabbed my hand. “You don’t think Christov did this, do you?”
“I don’t know,” I said, but my instincts said it was him or Alina.
She’d been reclusive before the ballet outing, but now she was…strange. The tantrum fire had been one thing, but then, another day, I’d found rotten food under my pillow. A couple of weeks ago one of Lilya’s dolls was headless on her bed. She was good to her toys and would never have done that herself. When she saw it, she was hysterical. Unfortunately, I never caught Alina in the act, and I always kept the doors locked, which meant she had spare keys. My anxiety was climbing by the day.
“When can I be released?”
“I’ll go get the doctor,” Mom said.
“Wait. Where is Lilya?”
“With Frida, she was happy to look after her at my house while you were in here.”
I relaxed back into the pillow.
“Okay.”
I’d told my father that something like this would happen, but he never believed me. It was doubtful that he would now.
My eyes were just starting to shut when the door opened, and a pissed-off Christov marched inside. Mylo grabbed his arm.
“Get off of me,” Christov growled, trying to jerk away. But Mylo refused to let go.
“It’s okay, Mylo.”
Christov looked indignant as he huffed and smoothed out his suit before closing the door. Then he turned is viperous stare on me. Despite his naturally good looks, he was ugly to me. I judged people on their soul and his was rotten to the core.
“So, I hear you tried to kill yourself,” he growled.
“Excuse me?”
“The doctor says the cocktail of drugs in your system is a typical suicide attempt.”
Well, at least now I knew the game they were playing. I balled my hands into a fist.
“I didn’t do this to myself. And even if I was so inclined, I would’ve done it before I had to marry your ignorant ass.”
He marched across the room and reached for my face, only stopping when he remembered there was a window. Such a fucking coward. Instead, he pointed at me.
“If I find out you’ve been planning on killing yourself to humiliate me, I’ll have you locked up in a padded cell.”
I slapped his finger away.
“Please spare me. Like I give a shit about humiliating you. Even if I did, I wouldn’t kill myself to do it.”
“You’re saying you didn’t do this to yourself?”
I glared at the asshole.
“Of course, I didn’t do this. Maybe have a conversation with the one person, other than you, who wants me out of your life for good. I’ll give you a hint. Her name starts with an A and ends in whore. I told you what she did after the Nutcracker and you didn’t believe me, now here we are.” I shook my head at him. “Get out of my room before I have my guard drag you out.”
He opened his mouth to argue and then rubbed his forehead.
“I’ll speak to her, but remember what I said. You’ll never see daylight again if I find out this was you.”
“Get out,” I growled.
Christov stomped across the room and threw open the door. It banged as it hit the wall, making my heart jump. Either it wasn’t him, or he was a hell of an actor. This was too much, and I imagined it getting a lot worse if something happened to his father.
The only thing that I knew for sure was that I had to be a million times more diligent, and I was sick of being tormented.
Mylo stepped in and didn’t say anything, but I knew he was silently asking if there was anything he could do.
“Close the door,” I said. “I need ideas, Mylo. This can’t happen again.”
“You said no when I brought it up before, but I think you should reconsider the cameras. We can set them up in both rooms and hide a secret stash of cash and a phone. I know you value your privacy, but if he has us removed from the house, or if we’re just not around for any reason, it may be the only way we know you’re in danger or can communicate.”
I nodded. “Okay, do it. At this point, I’m desperate.
“Consider it done.”