Page 99 of Ruthless Reign

My mother’s voice drops to an ugly hiss. “She’ll be eighteen soon enough.”

“Does she know? Have you told her yet?” I ask, breathless.

“No. We don't plan on giving Sofiya time to run, like her sister. She's at school for the time being, but if you have any hope in hell of fixing the damage you’ve done, I suggest you pack your bags and come home now. Honestly, Anatoly is beside himself; you’ll have to do everything in your power to gain his forgiveness.”

A crushing tightness grips my chest. Every instinct in my body is screaming for me to stop this madness right now. To set my mother straight.

“Listen to me, Mama. It doesn’t have to be this way. I have the money to pay back the Petroviches what we owe them. We can finally be free. Don’t fall for his lies anymore. This is our chance to cut ties and no longer be dependent on them.”

My mother's cold, cruel laughter echoes in response. "Can you hear yourself? Do you actually believe what you're saying? You think Kira will just lend you the money to pay back Anatoly what we owe his family? If that's the case, you really are delusional."

“It doesn’t matter where the money is from, just that I have it. A million dollars. We don’t need to live under his thumb any longer.”

“It’s not just about the money! You should know that. His family is highly respected; the name Petrovich means something. I'm sick of being a social pariah. Taking the Petrovich name changes everything for us. If you won't merge our families, your sister will be forced to.”

I sink to my knees, a cry flying from my lips, but I quickly muffle it with my hand.

How did I not see it before? I convinced myself that I had a real chance at freedom. But now it’s clear. There’s no escaping him. Not when my family wants this union more than anything.

Anatoly always intended to use Sofiya to keep me under his thumb, and my parents, the sycophants they are, just played into his perverse games.

I should have protected my sister better, but I didn’t. I’ve failed her.

“Please. Leave her out of th?—”

“This isn't up for discussion. Be home by tomorrow if you want to fix the mess you’ve made.” Those are her final words to me before she hangs up the phone.

Hot tears sting my eyes as I curl up on the floor. I tried so hard, sacrificed so much, and it wasn’t enough in the end.

They win. They always win. Because they know I’ll do what I have to to protect my sister, even if it means marrying Anatoly.

Forcing several deep breaths into my lungs, I stand up and splash some water on my face in the bathroom. I’m still blotchy and shaken, but I do my best to pull myself together.

Roman can’t learn the truth because I know in my gut that he’ll fight for me. For us. No matter what his business ties are to Anatoly, I know he’ll do everything in his power to keep me safe.

That’s why I need him to believe that our time is up. Even though it will tear my heart out, there’s no other way.

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

ROMAN

Right after I say goodbye to Maxim, a gentle knock on my office door causes me to turn just as Liza enters.

A smile instinctively forms on my face. “Aren't you supposed to be naked and waiting for me in bed?” I tease, but when I look up, her face is closed off, her eyes empty. “What's wrong?” In three quick steps, I'm in front of her, ready to pull her into my arms, but she steps back, just out of reach.

“I’m sorry, but our time is up. I need to go back home and deal with real life.” Her words feel practiced, like she’s speaking from a script.

My chest feels like it’s caving in. Something is off.

“What’s going on? Are you feeling scared about something? Whatever it is, you can talk to me.” I fight to keep my tone even when I actually want to grab her by the shoulders and shake the words out of her.

She blinks back the tears forming in the corners of her eyes and takes a shuddering breath. “I-I can’t,” she rasps. “We always knew this would come to an end. I’m getting married in a few?—”

“Bullshit,” I snarl. “This is not about that. Something happened. What is it? Don’t fucking lie to me. I deserve the truth.”

She attempts to steady her trembling hands by clasping them in front of her. “We always had an end date. Something’s come up, and I need to leave. Now.”

I advance on her, needing to be close. Needing to look her directly in the eyes. “Tell me the truth. You’ve been hiding something from me—from the world—for a long time. If you want to end this, fine, but have the decency to be honest with me.”

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