Page 129 of Ruthless Reign

The life I once considered a dream too far out of reach is about to become my reality, and I can hardly believe it myself.

“Thank you.” I lay down on the bed beside her and run my nails down her arm, like I used to when she was a kid. “It means a lot to hear you say that.”

After a moment of quiet, she clears her throat. “I’ve made a decision,” she says. “I don't want to go back to school. Everything's changed, and I can’t pretend I’m still the girl I was before this all happened.”

My eyes search hers, and I nod. “You don’t have to be anyone but yourself. No one’s asking that of you.”

She clasps her hands behind her head. “Yeah, but you know how people talk. I just don’t want to deal with any of it.”

I truly feel for her, I do, but I fight the urge to fix every little hurt. I’ll be there for Sofiya, helping her through whatever comes next. I’ve arranged for a therapist to meet with her tomorrow, but I know firsthand that the only way to work through something is to allow yourself to experience your feelings, not stuff them down.

There’s a lot I’m working through right now as well, but it helps to have Roman by my side.

“You’re eighteen soon,” I remind her. “You’re an adult, free to do as you like. Maybe you want to spend some time traveling or, I don’t know, take an acting class in London, or something like that.”

“Maybe.” She fiddles with one of her many rings. “Did you hear back from the lawyer yet?”

My eyebrows knit together. “About what?”

She takes a deep breath. "About the marriage. Am I still—” The words get caught in her throat.

I shake my head, annoyed at myself that it slipped my mind. “The lawyers are confident that they can get it annulled. We just need to appear before the court with Nikolai.”

A shiver moves through her. “I have to see Nikolai again?”

“Only when you’re ready,” I assure her.

I assume the idea of seeing Nikolai again is disturbing—it would remind her of one of the worst days of her life. I’ve tried to talk to her about what happened at the chapel, but she doesn’t want to go there with me. Maybe it’s too fresh.

Roman taps lightly on the door, which is already half open, before stepping into the room. His eyes meet mine with an unspoken question—how is Sofiya doing? I give him a small nod.

“Dinner should be here soon,” he announces. “I ordered tacos, your favorite,” he says to Sofiya.

Warmth floods through me. Roman has worked so hard to make Sofiya comfortable in his home. Even if it is an uphill battle, he's as dedicated to her recovery as I am.

“What do you say?” I ask my sister. “Ready to eat?”

“Sure. I'll be out in a minute.”

I nod and plant a quick kiss on her temple.

In the kitchen, Roman hands me a glass of wine and insists that I perch myself on the counter to avoid putting pressure on my injured toe. His two powerful arms cage me in as he nuzzles my neck and plants a kiss at my pulse point.

A shiver works its way through my body. “That reminds me,” I tell him with a saucy wink. “We didn't finish what we started this morning.”

He pulls back a little so he can look into my eyes. “Don't you worry. I haven't forgotten about my marital duty."

“It’s not marital yet.” I smack him with a dish towel.

“Soon, baby, soon.” He smiles. “How did Sofiya take the news?”

I take a thoughtful sip of wine. “Happy for us. But overall, still pretty down. She did make a decision, though. She doesn't want to go back to school.”

“Can't blame her. Gossip about your parents' downfall will be all over the city.”

I nod. It will always hurt that my parents were willing to sell off Sofiya and me as if we meant nothing to them, but I've made peace with the truth. For everyone's sake, I need to move on without them in my life.

“What did you and Maxim decide to do about the Petroviches?” I ask.

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