Page 67 of Bound By Hate (Born in Blood)

“I can buy you other shoes.”

“And then what?” I stand up and wobble on my feet, which only sends a flare of pain through me. “I’m indebted to you? No, thanks.”

He slips his finger under my chin and makes me look at him. “You will not continue to hurt yourself. No more high heels. At least until your rib is healed. No more throwing up. When we get to my house, we’ll have breakfast, and you’ll eat every bite. Is that clear?”

The Viktoriya I used to be would have spit in his face for telling me what to do.

But his words make my head feel clear. He’s removing my worries, and it’s up to me to listen.

“Ok,” I say, fighting the urge to cry. Why, though, I have no idea.

His eyes flick down to my lips and back up to my eyes. Would I be mad if he tried to kiss me? A man like Aleksander is not worthy of my body.

But …

I feel my eyes flutter shut, waiting to see what he’ll do.

Except no kiss comes.

Aleksander pulls back and grabs our bags. “Let’s go.”

I scowl behind his back as I follow him out the door.

Aleksander lives in a mansion decorated in brown and red brick. It looks like something out of a Russian fairytale.

“Huh.”

He raises an eyebrow. “Huh? What does that mean? Is my house not up to your standards?”

“I just expected you to live in something more … modern. This house looks so …”

“I’d be careful what word you use. You don’t want to offend me.”

“Old,” I finish, flashing him a smile. “And I’m not worried about offending you. Your feelings don’t matter to me.”

He sighs and doesn’t respond as he opens his door. I wait for him to come around and open my door, but he doesn’t. He just stands there, staring back at me.

I point at the door. He shakes his head. Why is he trying to punish me? What have I ever done to him?

Other than insult and degrade him and …

You know what, it doesn’t matter.

“Open the door,” I demand.

“No. I want you to open the door for yourself. You’re no longer a princess, Viktoriya. You’re my wife. You’re going to learn to do some things for yourself.”

I narrow my eyes and cross my arms. “I can stay here all day.”

“So can I.”

I stare Aleksander down. My pride is too important to me to give up by opening my door.

My stomach rumbles, signaling to me I’m hungry again. It’s a feeling I’ve gotten used to.

But is it one I want to feel ever again?

Aleksander gave me permission to eat. My stomach rumbles again.

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