Page 71 of Sinful Games

It felt like my options were down to two: marry Alexsei or face whatever hell my father hadplanned.

This morning, three black SUVs had parked outside my window—clearly, my father had gotten wind of my plans. His goons were stationed to ensure I wouldn’t slip away today.

Damn Alexsei Romaniev.

Another betrayal, another wound.

“It’s okay,” I said, trying to sound braver than I felt. “I’ll be fine.”

I sat down and carefully styled my hair into a sleek blowout before moving on to my makeup—a dark, smoky eye that made my green eyes pop. If I had to go through with this wedding, I was going to do it with a hint of rebellion.

My gaze fell on the elegant white dress my father had left at my door last night. It was supposed to symbolize purity, but with everything he’d taken from me, purity was the last thing I felt. I pushed those feelings aside and focused on the present.

After coating my lashes with dark mascara and giving my makeup a final check, I studied my reflection. I looked like a fierce feline ready to face whatever was coming.

Perfect.

“What are you going to wear?” Valeria asked softly.

I got up and opened the battered drawer next to my bed, pulling out the dress I had saved for this occasion. Originally meant for my graduation party, it was a stunning dark red Prada gown with long sleeves and a Bardot neckline. The mermaid silhouette hugged my body perfectly, with a subtle slit up the right leg to mid-thigh.

This dress symbolized all the hard work I’d put into achieving success—my blood, sweat, and tears. It was disheartening to wear it for such a grim event, but it felt like the perfect act of defiance against a marriage I didn’t want.

I took off my towel, stood in my black Agent Provocateur underwear, and slipped into the dress, asking Valeria to zip it up for me.

“You look like?—”

“Lamia, the demon?”

In Greek mythology, Lamia was a beautiful queen loved by Zeus but doomed by Hera’s jealousy. Whether driven mad by losing her children or otherwise, Lamia became a monstrous figure with a serpent’s lower body, known for seducing and killing men in revenge. She was a true siren.

Strangely, I kind of aspired to be like her.

Valeria laughed and shook her head. “Exactly, but you’re way sexier.”

I chuckled and smoothed the fabric of the dress over my lips.

Valeria wrapped me in a tight hug. "You look beautiful, Caia. Here, take this," she said, pressing a small jewelry box into my hand. "I’m sorry it’s under these circumstances; I wish it could be a day of joy."

I opened the box to reveal a delicate Swarovski ankle bracelet. "Valeria, I?—"

"Your something old and borrowed," she winked. "This was my mother’s. She gave it to me when I got married, so now it’s yours. You’re like a sister to me, Caia, and I know my mom would have adored you just as much as I do."

"Thank you so much, Valeria."

"Don’t start crying now; your makeup looks too good. Do you have something blue?"

"Yes, this," I said, showing her the babushka ring on my right hand.

She had given it to me on my fourteenth birthday, telling me that Celestite crystals bring peace and harmony. She said whenever I wore the ring, I should think of her and find peace in my heart.

Oh, babushka, I’m so sorry for what’s about to happen.

I wish I had another choice.

"I got it from my babushka," I said softly.

"It’s beautiful, Caia."

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