Page 93 of Bound By Hate (Born in Blood)

I let her pull me away, but I don’t make it far before Vera says one last thing. “I hope you’ll feel better about yourself the next time you decide to throw up.”

I go still. How does Vera know about that? The only one who knows is Aleksander. Other than this morning, I haven’t thrown up in the past few weeks. I’ve been good.

I turn back to Vera. “What did you say?”

“I smelled it on you once before. I assume you still do it.” She smirks. “Don’t you?”

Rage fills my vision. Pure, unadulterated rage.

I scream as I run for Vera, ignoring the pain in my side. Vera screams in return as I tackle her to the ground.

“Oh my god,” Sofiya gasps, sprinting over. Between her and Mila, they manage to pull me away from Vera.

Though I do get a quick swipe in at Vera’s face, with my nails leaving behind a red welt. Vera scrambles away, clutching her face.

A security guard comes over and tells me I need to leave.

“I didn’t even want to be here in the first place,” I mutter before walking outside.

Sofiya and Mila follow.

“What was that about?” Sofiya asks. I don’t respond. “Vik? Vik!” She grabs my arm, turning me to her. “Talk to me.”

“What is there to talk about? I didn’t want to come here tonight. I can’t dance anymore. It hurts. It fucking hurts, ok?”

Sofiya jerks back. “I …”

“Of course, you don’t care.” I huff, crossing my arms. “I’m the only one who ever cared about ballet. You were happy to be done with it the moment you married Mikhail. And I know Mila hates it.”

“I … don’t hate it,” Mila says, though it’s not convincing at all.

“You’re a terrible liar,” I tell her, making her flush.

“Hey!” Sofiya snaps. “Be nice.”

“I know I was making you doRomeo and Juliet. I knew you didn’t want to do it, but I wanted to do it, so I made you. I’m sure you hate me for it.”

“I don’t hate you,” Mila says softly.

I scoff. “You still chose to be with Sofiya over me. Clearly, you don’t like me.”

“What’s going on?” Sofiya asks. “You’re normally crabby, but this is … something else.”

“I’m fine. I’m always fine. I’m going home. Get the driver.”

“We should finish the show.”

“I can’t go back in there. Literally. I just got kicked out. I’m going home. I’ll walk if I have to.”

Sofiya sighs and shares a look with Mila that I hate. It’s filled with pity and worry. I don’t want anyone pitying or worrying about me. I’m Viktoriya Morozova. I’m always fine.

“Ok,” Sofiya finally says. “I’ll get the driver.” She heads into the theater, leaving Mila and me alone on the sidewalk.

I can feel Mila looking at me, but I refuse to look at her.

“I don’t hate you,” she says in her soft, angelic voice. “I’ve never hated you, Vik.”

I cross my arms. “I doubt that.”

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