Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Lilith
When I came out in my new clothes, the whole mall was empty. Even the security guard by the elevator had vanished, leaving only the mannequins in their summer displays.
I glanced back at Andrei.
He walked behind me, expression blank, one hand in his pocket, the other carrying my shopping bag. Elegant. Composed. Nothing like the man who'd just made me... Remembering what happened in that dressing room made heat crawl up my neck. "Where is everyone?"
Then I remembered—before we'd gone into the fitting room, Andrei had gestured to someone nearby. My eyes widened. "Did you buy out the whole mall?"
Andrei tilted his head, giving me a look that said, "What do you think?"
"Oh my God, Andrei, you're too protective." I teased him. "I cry a lot, sure, but you don't have to treat me like porcelain."
"I don't like other men looking at you."
"Ha, I never knew you were this possessive."
"No one sees your body but me. Anyone else, I'll gouge their eyes out."
His tone was almost casual, but dead serious underneath.
The danger in his voice, the possessiveness—it should've scared me. Instead, warmth bloomed in my chest, sweet as honey.
"So for everyone's safety, I guess I can never leave the house again?"
Andrei's laugh was low. "Good. You belong only to me." His arm circled my waist. "Come on. Party's starting."
We drove through Manhattan, skyscrapers giving way to estates and gated communities.
The "house" where we stopped wasn't a house at all—it was practically a compound. Three stories of white stone, fountain out front, manicured hedges, oak-lined driveway. A small manor, basically.
The parking lot was already packed with luxury cars, each one worth more than me and Elena's living expenses for years.
My stomach knotted. Did I really belong here?
Andrei squeezed my hand. "Don't be scared. Do whatever you want. You're Andrei Volkov's fiancée. No one will dare disrespect you."
His confidence made me smile. "Got it, my fiancé."
He smiled back.
We walked through a marble hallway into the backyard. Jazz floated over laughter and splashing. The pool area was massive—inflatable loungers drifting across the water, umbrellas and deck chairs everywhere, waiters weaving through the crowd with trays.
When Andrei and I appeared hand in hand, at least a dozen pairs of eyes locked on me.
I moved closer to him, trying to look calm while strangers assessed me.
"Mr. Volkov!"
A middle-aged man in a navy linen shirt approached, hair slicked back, smile too wide. Others drifted closer. A few smiled at me warmly, which helped.
"Mr. Volkov, been too long. Didn't think you'd make it." The man shook Andrei's hand, then looked at me. "And this beautiful lady is?"
"My fiancée." Andrei's voice carried. His arm settled around my waist as he addressed the crowd. "Everyone, I'd like you to meet my fiancée, Miss Lilith Sanchez."
I smiled and nodded. "Hello."
The man's eyebrows shot up. "Fiancée? That's... quite a surprise. When did this happen?"
"Recently." Andrei lifted my hand and kissed it.
Whistles and cheers erupted around us. My face burned, but I didn't hate it. I loved it.
With Luca, I'd never existed publicly. His social media was all parties, cars, and his boys. You could scroll forever and never find me.
Now Andrei stood among New York's wealthiest and most powerful, holding my hand, announcing me as his fiancée to everyone.
I looked up at him, smiling. So this was what it felt like to be valued. Respected. Warmth spread through me like fire, making my heart pound.
That's when I realized—I'd already fallen deep into Andrei's spell.
The congratulations pulled me back to reality. Andrei leaned close. "I need to handle something. Have the staff show you to the changing room. I'll come to you after."
"Okay."
I nodded and took my bag to the locker room.
Standing in front of the mirror in that white bikini, I studied myself for a moment.
The woman staring back had curves—full shoulders, breasts pushing against white fabric, the thin gold chain at her waist catching light. Shy, maybe. But I couldn't embarrass Andrei.
I straightened my shoulders. The second I stepped out, a blonde woman with sharp features blocked my path.
Her eyes raked over me with contempt. "So you're Andrei's new toy? You look... underwhelming."
Her voice carried. Heads turned.
The public humiliation made anger flare in my chest. I forced a smile. "I'm his fiancée."
"Fiancée?" She laughed. "Honey, I've seen plenty of whores like you. Sugar daddy parades you around once or twice, and you think you've made it."
"Girls, come look. This trash thinks she's good enough for Andrei. Should we teach her a lesson?"
My whole body shook with rage. I tried to stay calm, but fury flooded every cell. Then several women circled me, their faces twisted with disgust.
"Jesus Christ, where'd this pig come from? All that blubber makes me sick." A tall woman covered her mouth dramatically.
"Andrei could never want something like her. Unless he's gone blind."
"She's not fit to touch Rebecca's hair." The woman in the black swimsuit tilted her head, smirking. "Honestly, what's your special trick in bed? I'm dying to know how you get him hard. Does he close his eyes? Turn off the lights so he can't tell which end is which?"
They erupted in laughter.
My lungs burned with rage. Blood boiled in my veins. I wanted to tear into them right there, but I wouldn't cause problems for Andrei.
My nails bit into my palms. The pain cleared my head.
"Back off with your jealous bullshit—it reeks.
I know why you're coming after me. You throw yourselves at Andrei and he doesn't even look.
Maybe check yourselves first. Starting with that breath.
" I finally got the words out in one rush.
"And has anyone mentioned your bodies look like bones in a trash can?
No wonder Andrei's not interested. Only dogs love bones. "
"Fuck!"
A shriek cut the air. "Shut your mouth, you fat bitch!" The woman in black lost it. "I've never seen anyone this stupid. How dare you talk to me like that! Girls, let's strip her naked and carve up that face. She'll never show it again!"
"Yeah, destroy this whore!"
They closed in.
No...
As they got closer, my breath caught. I turned to run. One of them shoved me hard.
I stumbled on the wet tile at the pool's edge, losing my balance, tipping backward. My arms flailed uselessly, grabbing nothing but air.
Terror seized me as I fell. Every part of me—every organ, every hair—screamed.
"Lilith!"
A hand caught me firmly, stopping my fall. Andrei pulled me back into his arms. Those usually calm eyes flooded with worry. "Lilith, are you hurt? Tell me."
His familiar safety wrapped around me. My nose stung, and my voice cracked. "I'm fine. You got here just in time. I'm not hurt."
Andrei's relief was visible, but rage radiated off him, silencing the entire party instantly. "They hurt you." Not a question.
I wasn't covering for those bitches. I nodded and pointed at the woman in black. "Yeah. Them."
The women I'd indicated went pale. One trembled visibly.
"No, no, no, Andrei, we were just joking with her! Just joking!"
The woman in black forced a smile. "Right, Andrei, don't worry about it. Your fiancée can take a joke, can't she?"
"Perfect. I'll have someone play the same fucking joke on you. Better laugh." Andrei's voice was terrifying. He signaled toward the shadows. Several large men in suits appeared immediately.
The woman in black flinched backward.
"No, Andrei, this was between us women! We were defending you! A woman like her doesn't deserve your attention! She doesn't even come close to Rebecca—"
"She has me because I want her. Because I've chosen her as my wife. Rebecca is nothing."
Andrei's grip tightened on my hand as he cut her off. While the woman gaped, Andrei's cold laugh echoed across the pool.
"Listen carefully." His gaze swept the crowd, landing on each face. "Lilith Sanchez is my fiancée. Touch her again, and I'll take your hands. Say one more word about her, and you'll never speak again."
"Spread the word. Anyone who does business with their families is my enemy." He glanced at the trembling women. "Let your families pay for your stupidity."
The suited men led them away. The crowd dispersed partway, people returning to swimming and drinking. The party picked back up, but tension lingered.
I didn't feel cold, though. My heart burned. Andrei's words echoed in my head—"I want her." My pulse raced. I tried to shake them loose, but they burrowed deeper.
"Thank you, Andrei. You always protect me." Emotion swelled in my chest. No one had ever believed in me like this, defended me so fiercely. "But... did I cause problems for your business?"
"Of course not. Destroying their families isn't enough—they should die for what they did to you." His face was ice, but when he looked at me, it melted. "And you thanked me again."
"You need to be punished for that."
He moved closer. His face inches from mine. My heart hammered. His thumb brushed my lips, and for one breathless moment I thought he'd kiss me. But he stopped, eyes teasing.
Desire thickened the air. My face burned. Then—
Cheers erupted around us. Applause, raised glasses. The earlier tension evaporated completely. Someone yelled, "Kiss her!"
Soon, the whole crowd chanted it.
Embarrassment flooded me. I leaned into Andrei. When I looked up, his gaze was locked on my mouth. Pure hunger in his eyes. Ignoring everyone else, he lowered his head slightly and asked in a voice only I could hear, "How should I punish you, princess?"
"Can we not do this here?"
He shook his head, smiling. Waiting.
He was terrible. And I loved it.
I stood on my toes and kissed him. When I tried to pull back, his arm around my waist tightened and he deepened it.
The crowd exploded.
When Andrei finally released me, my face was on fire. He looked perfectly composed, smiling.
Looking at him, my heart swelled. I exhaled quickly and blurted, "Andrei, I think I'm falling for you."
Too shy to see his reaction, I turned and hurried away. His pleased laughter followed me.
I headed for the dessert table with Andrei beside me.
Under a huge white umbrella, a long table displayed white linen and sweets—tiered cakes, mini fruit tarts, chocolate fountain, cream puffs, macarons, fan-arranged strawberries coated in sugar glaze.
My eyes lit up. I grabbed a plate.
"Wait here a second." Andrei glanced toward the pool.
I looked up.
Seeing my stuffed cheeks and the cream on my lip, he smiled and wiped it away with his finger.
"I need to handle something. Be right back."
I waved, mouth too full for words, but I smiled at him with my eyes. Go ahead. I'll be here.
Andrei understood. He crossed the lawn and disappeared around the villa's corner. I turned back to my plate.
Probably business. Billionaires always had deals to close.
I forked a strawberry into my mouth. Sweet-tart juice burst across my tongue. I closed my eyes in bliss.
"Lilith?"
A sweet voice interrupted. I looked up.
She appeared a few years older than me—petite, slender, wearing a light blue one-piece with a white linen cover-up. Delicate features, light makeup, warm smile. Everything about her radiated approachability.
"Yes?"
Her smile deepened. "I'm Rebecca. Rebecca Ivanova. Sorry, I heard what happened earlier."
Rebecca? The Rebecca? Those women had mentioned her multiple times. They'd been defending her.
I studied Rebecca. She was beautiful—tall, refined. I imagined her standing with Andrei. They'd look perfect together. Striking. My stomach sank.
"Are you here to give me trouble too?"
"Of course not." Rebecca's laugh was gentle. "I'm so sorry. I wasn't at the party yet, or I would've shut them down myself. They must've said awful things. Let me explain—I'm actually Andrei's sister."
"Sister?"
"Andrei didn't tell you?" Rebecca seemed surprised. She looked mock-annoyed. "That man. He never introduces family to outsiders. Same with all his previous women. But you're his fiancée—he should've mentioned me. I'll scold him for you."
"Don't blame him, though." Rebecca's eyes curved into crescents. "He's so busy. Details slip his mind."
Outsiders... previous women... Did Andrei have lots of women? Discomfort tightened my chest, but Rebecca didn't notice. She sat beside me casually. "The fact he brought you to meet us means you're truly special. Andrei never brings women to these things. You're the first."
"Really?" My heart skipped.
"Why would I lie?" She twirled her hair playfully.
"Honestly," Rebecca tilted her head, "I've always wondered what kind of woman Andrei would choose. His previous companions—"
She paused, then waved it away with a smile. "Never mind. Forget them."
"What about his previous companions?" I set down my fork.
"Nothing really." She spoke casually. "Models, ballerinas, that sort. You know—very thin types. So when I saw you earlier, I was a bit surprised."
Rebecca wasn't cruel like those other women, but her words made my hands clench. Sour feelings churned in my stomach.
"Sorry, I didn't mean your body's bad. I just—" Seeing my expression change, Rebecca backtracked.
I forced a smile. "It's fine."
"He was single for so long and never considered marrying them, which proves they were just flings. You're the special one. And now I'm remembering—you really resemble Andrei's ex-wife. That proves it even more. You're his true love."
"What?"
Andrei never told me I looked like his ex-wife.
So why was he with me? Was I just a replacement? A stand-in?
Rage surged through me. I'd just confessed my feelings to him. And now someone was telling me his affection was fake? That I was nothing but a convenient substitute?
My heart shattered. Rebecca's words crashed through my head repeatedly. I couldn't breathe. I felt like a complete fool.
Andrei—I thought he was different from Luca!