Page 157 of Beautiful Cruelty

I have a sister. The revelation lashes at me as fierce as the wind and the rain, leaving me struggling to breathe. But there's no time to process this.

Not when Kirsan has her.

"Come inside and get warm," I say, trying to guide her toward the house. "We'll figure this out."

"No!"

She jerks away violently, shrieking, when I start moving towards the gates of Pankration. Her eyes widen as she gazes at the mansion's looming façade in terror.

"Don't make me go back there. Please don't make me get any closer than I already have!”

My heart breaks at her terror and the way she recoils at the very sight of the place where Pyotr destroyed her life.

"Okay, Mom." I promise quickly, reaching for her trembling hands. "We can talk here."

She lets me take them, but her fingers are ice cold. Whether from the rain or her panic, I'm not sure. Probably both. I want nothing more than to shelter her from this storm, but I won't force her anywhere near that mansion.

"Look at me, Mom," I whisper. "I'm not him. I will never be him."

The words sound unconvincing in my mouth after what I did to Lacey yesterday.

But I push that guilt aside. This isn't about me.

Mom's eyes finally meet mine. There's recognition there now, mixed with decades of pain I couldn't protect her from. She searches my face as if making sure that it's really me standing before her.

And not him.

"Please," she finally whispers in the rain, begging. "Bring my baby back. Bring her back before that monster can do to her what he did to me!"

The raw desperation in her voice slashes at my heart. Gently, I give her cold hands a reassuring squeeze.

"I'll get her back, Mom," I promise. "I swear it."

46

LACEY

The doorto the conservatory is unlocked, and Olga is waiting for me, dressed impeccably in spite of the rain. A knowing smile plays at her lips.

"Close the door," she says in that silky voice of hers.

My hands are steady as I push it shut.

"I need..." The words stick in my throat. Admitting this makes it real.

"To leave?” Her smile widens. "Like Polina did?"

I nod, unable to form the words. My chest feels too tight to breathe.

Olga rises gracefully, her heels silent as she approaches me. Her perfectly manicured fingers brush my cheek. The gesture would seem motherly if not for the predatory gleam in her eyes.

"Sweet girl. You're making the right choice."

Tears spill down my cheeks. "I can't stay here anymore."

But not for the reason that Olga believes. I can't stay here because I can't be what causes Vadim to fall.

"Of course you can't." She drops her hand and turns away. "Come with me. Quickly, before he returns and realizes that you're missing."

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