Page 51 of Dancing With Delusion

He nods. “I know. I believe you, but until I can get some evidence, you need to go.”

I shake my head. “We’re not married. He can’t force me.”

“Tori, you know as well as I do, he’s got all the power here. Do as he says. I’ll get you out, I swear.”

“And what if you don’t?” I ask. “His father and Vivian will let me rot in there.”

He grabs my hand and gives it a gentle squeeze. “I’ll get through to Dmitry, I know I will. But if you cause a fuss over this, you’re only gonna look crazier, proving him right.”

Dmitry

The hospital is ready to discharge Victoria, and all I want to do is take her home and care for her like I should have done in the beginning. This is my doing. I’ve let her down, and it pains me to know I haven’t given her what she needed. I promised to show her another way, but all I’ve done is push her to despair. I need to put this right and take responsibility for getting her well again. Right now, that means getting her the best round-the-clock care. She may not thank me for it now, but one day, one day soon, she will. And I’ll never have to let her go again.

I enter her room, offering a weak smile, but she rolls onto her side, putting her back to me. “Victoria, just hear me out,” I begin as I make my way around her bed to sit in the empty chair beside her. She closes her eyes. “Tori, please look at me.” Her eyes flutter open, and the hurt is evident. My heart stammers in my chest. “I’m doing this for you. You need this. I love you . . . more than life itself, and I can’t stand by and watch you hurting yourself.” I close my eyes, briefly running my hands through my dishevelled hair. It’s been a tiring few days.

Victoria remains silent. “I need you to be okay. This is the right decision. You’ll be home before you know it.” I reach across and take hold of her hand, sighing with relief when she doesn’t pull away. But she remains quiet, her eyes surveying me as she chews on her bottom lip.

“Dmitry,” she whispers, and hearing her soften towards me gives me hope. “What if you’re wrong?” Her voice wavers, and I squeeze her hand reassuringly.

“Victoria, I know right now you don’t trust me, and I understand I’m responsible for that, but let me fix this. Let me show you that you can trust me. All I want is to get you back. I don’t want to change you. I don’t want to mould you to be like Vivian or any other woman. You are mine, but you need help to piece together everything that’s broken you.” I kiss the back of her hand. “I love you just the way you are, my krasota.”

She lowers her gaze, looking at our entwined hands, and her brows pinch together. “What if they never let me out? Your father is trying to drive a wedge between us. He doesn’t approve of me.”

I lean in, placing a tender kiss on the end of her nose, and a small smile crosses her lips. “I will never let anyone hurt you. I would rather die than let that happen. I’d kill them all for you.”

She scrunches up her nose and lets out a little laugh. “Yet, you’re sending me to the nut house?” She arches her brow.

“Yes, my krasota, because I truly believe you need it and I only want what’s best for you.”

She closes her eyes and inhales sharply. “I hope you’re right, Dmitry.”

“So, you’ll agree? No dramatics?” I smile because I was expecting more of a fight. Maybe she knows she needs this too.

“Yes,” she whispers. “Dmitry . . .” She pauses, chewing on her bottom lip again with that worried look on her face. “It doesn’t matter.” I stroke my hand along her cheek.

“Are you sure?” She closes her eyes, nodding. This went way better than I ever expected it too, and I don’t want to push her.

Saying goodbye to Victoria was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. The doctors at the hospital signed her over to the care of the private hospital my father arranged, and the deal was done.

And even though her eyes pleaded with me as they led her away, she did what was asked of her with no fuss or chaos. Somehow, it felt wrong to see her so weak and broken.

I’m now sitting at my desk, the guilt of the last few days weighing heavily on my shoulders. The need to concentrate on the business I’ve neglected recently takes over any opportunity I have for a breather.

I pick up my whiskey while scrolling through my emails, staring at them aimlessly because right now, nothing makes sense. My head is filled only with her.

Marshall knocks at my office door, and I sigh when I see how apprehensive he looks. I know my men are currently walking on eggshells, terrified to set me off. “Come in, Marshall. Take a seat.” I nod at the empty chair opposite me as I make my way over to the mini bar. I lift my glass up to him. “Can I get you one?” He nods and takes a seat, rubbing his hands over his tired face. “You look how I feel,” I say with a small laugh as I pour the whiskey.

“Thanks, Boss,” he answers, a note of sarcasm lacing his words. “The cleanup of the master suite is done. Is she okay?” His voice wavers like he’s nervous, but I can’t blame him for asking. If it wasn’t for him, Victoria would be dead. I owe this man my life.

I hand him the whiskey before making my way round the desk and lowering myself into the seat.

“She will be.”

He sighs. I know he doesn’t agree with me having her sectioned, but this is my judgement call. Usually, I would shut him straight down, but given the fact that a few days ago he was the only thing between her and death, I give the man some slack.

“Boss,” he pauses, looking over his glass at me. “Are you sure?—”

“Marshall, please don’t push me on this,” I cut in before he can finish.

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