Page 88 of Defiled Innocence

“All right.” I look up. “Thanks, I mean, sorry. I mean.” I heave a sigh. “I hope Tony’s feeling better soon.”

She gives me a small smile. “You know we have six amazing counselors on staff and they’re all at your disposal.” She slides her purse strap over her shoulder. “Including me, if you ever want. Just plop your ass in my office.”

“Thanks, Susan. I’m fine.” I push up from my desk.

More coffee. That should fix me right up. Caffeine to give me the energy to continue pretending my life isn’t a complete dumpster fire at the moment.

“All right, but the offer stands.” She offers another smile before disappearing from the door.

“Lia.”

My muscles tense at my name. I’ve barely made it to my coffeemaker before someone else has come into my office.

At first, I wanted the distraction. To bury myself in work and other people’s problems so I could ignore my own.

But my body hurts from being so tense.

I’m exhausted from lying beside Dmitri every night and fighting with myself to keep from rolling over and diving into his arms. He’d hold me, I know he would, if I would just turn to him.

But he’s doing the one thing I thought he’d never do. He’s giving me space. And I think it’s killing him a little.

I hear the gruffness of his voice when he’s on the phone before he finds me pretending to be asleep in bed. He’s getting grumpier than before. Even Maria has started to avoid him.

“Yeah?” I ask once my cup is full of coffee, and I turn around.

Dmitri stands in my office.

His hands hang at his sides, making him look more like a statue than ever with his stoic expression and the enormity of him. I used to think it was just his ego that took up the whole room, but it’s him.

“Dmitri.” I swallow, afraid a sigh of relief will escape. “What are you doing here?”

“Too long,moyo dikoye plamya. I’ve waited too long, and it stops now.” He’s back to using his dominating tone.

I put my cup of coffee down to keep from spilling it with my shaky hands.

“Too long for what?” I manage to ask without a tremor in my voice.

“I’ve let you hide. It’s over now.”

My heart sinks. Of course.

Why would he want a wife who ignores him and fights him at every turn?

“Alright,” I say, unable to keep the shake from my words this time.

He shakes his head. “No. It’s not alright.”

Going to my desk, he picks up my phone and my jacket.

“What are you doing?” I take a step.

Is he trying to throw me out of my own office? Maybe he’s going to force the close of the foundation.

We need three chairmen, and Christian isn’t one of them anymore.

I haven’t heard from him directly, other than a voicemail with an apology and telling me he’s going to be moving. I tried calling him back, but he’s blocked me.

Dmitri could shut us down if he really wanted.

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