Page 14 of The Monster

I look up to find a beautiful young woman holding a clipboard. I take a deep breath as I give her my stepmother’s name, Allie. Looking around at the crystal chandeliers and polished marble floors, the opulent surroundings do nothing to calm my nerves.

I smooth my white slash top and ivory mini skirt. I paired it with black ballet flats and gifts Nikolai surprised me with earlier—rose gold viper earrings, a rose gold viper bracelet, and a rose gold single spiral watch.

Despite the designer labels I’m wearing, I feel out of place, like I always do in the company of these women.

Allie, Eleanor, Jade, and Mia turn in unison as I approach the table, all of them eyeing me from head to toe. No doubt taking in the flaws they can make fun of later in their group chat.

“You’re late, Nina,” Allie coos, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. “We were just talking about you. You never replied to our text messages.”

I force a smile and take a seat. “Traffic was terrible. I also got swamped with all the subjects I have to study for next sem.”

It’s a lie, of course. I spent twenty minutes sitting in the car with Nikolai’s driver, gathering the courage to walk in and pretend I enjoy dining with them.

They exchange knowing looks, and I resist the urge to squirm in my seat. The past me would do that, but not anymore.

“Are those new jewelry?” Mia remarks, pulling my wrist to check my watch and bracelet. “Your husband bought this?”

“Yes.”

“Looks tacky. Rose gold makes you look washed out.” Jade doesn’t bother hiding her grin.

“Agree. What can you expect, though? Nina’s lucky she’s still alive.” Allie observes me over the rim of her wine glass.

I swallow past the lump in my throat, refusing to rise to their bait. “I like it. It looks nice.”

“Of course, you like it. You’re not exactly known for having good taste.” Eleanor chuckles. “Marrying the scariest man in the country, wearing his jewels, and what’s next? Have his babies?” Eleanor dramatically shudders, and the others laugh.

Every lunch is like this. A thinly veiled assault on me—my looks, my studies, my chosen career, my womanhood—disguised as casual conversation. They love picking me apart.

I used to shrug it off and ignore the barbs, but now that they’ve brought up Nikolai, I feel something simmering just beneath the surface. My hands clench into fists on my lap, my nails digging into my palms as I try to keep my composure.

Still, they don’t stop.

“I saw photos from the wedding. My God, his face is the stuff of nightmares.”

“Can you imagine waking up and seeing THAT? I’d die of a heart attack first thing in the morning.”

“His brothers are good-looking. He wouldn’t look so bad if he didn’t have that slash on his mouth.”

“Creepy, right? It’s what you see on Halloween.”

The more they talk, the more the fire inside me grows. My heartbeat quickens, drowning out their words. I try to tamp itdown, but it’s no use. The rage has taken hold, spreading like wildfire, consuming every thought I have.

It finally boils over, unstoppable and fierce—the barely restrained fury threatening to explode. I am done being their target. I am done playing the part of a silent, dutiful victim who never speaks out. I am not going to sit here and stay silent as they insult my husband.

My husband. The only one who ever made me feel important. The only one who quieted my fears. The only one who didn’t make me feel like my existence was a curse and a burden.

Last night, I told Nikolai to say what he wants. It was hypocritical of me when I couldn’t even force the words past my lips in front of these women.

But no more.

Eleanor, always the ringleader, gives me a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes. “Is it true, Nina, that he sleeps with a scythe under his pillow?”

“No way!” Jade dramatically puts a hand on her chest. “That’s barbaric.”

“Why are you surprised? He looks barbaric. Of course, he’s going to act like it!” Mia adds, elbowing Jade.

Yup, I am so done with these bitches.

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