Page 16 of The Bratva King's Twins

It made me wonder if he had inherited them from a bookworm in his family since I couldn’t fathom someone like Aristarkh willingly reading anything.

Regardless, I was so engrossed with the ample variety of books that I completely forgot about the bedroom or any kind of protest I had been participating in. Instead, I sifted through the collection, letting my fingers glide against the spines while I waited for one of them to catch my eye.

Pulling out a leather-bound book, I cracked it open and found a deep armchair to sit in. Next to a window, the seat offered me a different view of the property, which was surprisingly refreshing.

As I allowed myself to fall into the book without any other care in the world, it was the most relaxed I had felt in days.

It wasn’t a cure to the situation he forced me into, but it was a distraction at the very least.

Chapter 7 - Ari

Even with a body other than my own in the house, that week was the loneliest one I had ever experienced.

Just because we were married, it didn’t mean I was entitled to her time or attention. I knew that. But as I went about my usual routine with the addition of making sure she was eating and somewhat taking care of herself, it was easy to forget about the union altogether. It had felt more like a figment of my imagination.

The worst part about it was how much it bothered me.

While she didn’t know me and I didn’t know her, something in me wanted us to find a common ground, or, at the very least, speak to one another.

Wanting to get to know Vivian and to at least be in her presence seemed like such an innocent thing, but the longer it went on, the crazier it made me feel.

For a moment, it made me wonder if we were experiencing the same kind of cabin fever, even if I left for work every day.

After a week of being married, I had never felt more alone, and I was sick of Vivian shutting me out.

Regardless of how she would feel about it, something had to change, and I was determined to make it happen.

Even if she hated me, or if it would push her away even more, I had to try.

Being so affected by her iciness easily took away the shine of outdoing her father, which was the one thing I had clung to ever since following through with the hasty decision to get married to a woman I didn’t know two things about.

Pushing through the front door, I let go of a deep breath and tried to push away the thoughts that lingered from the workday. If I wanted to appeal to her in some way, I couldn’t let that irritation follow me.

After dropping my keys on the kitchen island, I made my way up the stairs with that slight concern pulsing in my chest.

That feeling would hit me every time I went to check on her, afraid I might not like what I saw when I opened the door. I assumed Vivian was too stubborn to do anything she might regret, but given how she had been left with no other choice but to accept her new situation, I couldn’t write off that possibility.

I hoped that she would come around eventually and that I wouldn’t have to worry about her in that way.

Swallowing back that hesitation, I approached the bedroom door, only to find it cracked open. I peered inside, but the bed was empty, along with the ensuite.

Immediately, my heart skipped.

Did she get out of the house somehow? Did she slip through the security system?

Those questions bounced around in my head as I pushed away from the room and continued down the hall, surprised she finally left the spare bedroom.

I immediately let out a discreet sigh, relieved to find her in my library.

She sat in the armchair with her legs tucked underneath her, book in hand, while she quietly read by herself. It was one of my favorites, too, and I couldn’t help but think she must’ve had good taste.

Even if the scene in front of me was a simple one, I was glad to see it. She looked at peace and comfortable, and it was nice to find that faint smile on her lips as she was completely immersed in the book.

Something in me hoped it gave her a sense of normalcy through everything going on, no matter how small.

Regardless of how things came to be, I didn’t want her to suffer. She would likely say otherwise, but I didn’t take any pride in knowing she had been uncomfortable and reduced to moping around in the spare bedroom.

With some regret, I watched as Vivian realized I was there and jolted in place, face blank as if she had seen a ghost. She immediately closed the book like she had been caught committing some sort of crime, and she regarded me with caution.

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