Page 120 of Modern Romance March 2025 (5-8)

I nod. “She did.”

Michail glances around. “Nice.”

“You let her go.” Gavriil refocuses on me and glares. “Again.”

“I believe I recall telling you that what happens betweenmywife and me is none of your concern.”

My voice is low, dangerous. I already feel like my guts have been ripped out. The void I existed in before Tessa was one of comfort. A blessed nothingness where facts and efficiency ruled.

But this…this is hell.

“It is unless I see two people I care about hurting.”

I shoot up out of my chair. “You saw her? When?”

He smirks at me. I don’t even care that I’ve shown my hand. I just want to know if she’s all right.

“Two nights ago. Her sister’s engagement party.”

“She looked beautiful,” Michail adds.

I whirl on him, this behemoth of a mountain man with his thick beard and eyes just like mine. Jealousy pounds through me as he shoots me a cocky smile.

“You were there?”

“I had business in Paris. I’ve done work for her sister’s fiancé’s company.”

Gavriil’s glare deepens. “She looked like she’s had her heart broken.”

His words gut me, just as Gavriil intended. I turn away.

“Better now than later when we were even deeper.”

“Why?”

I look over my shoulder. “Why what?”

“Why are you doing this? Why are you shoving her away? And don’t give me that damned speech about her deserving better than you,” Gavriil adds as I start to reply. “I want the real reason.”

“As I said, it’s none of your concern.”

Michail shakes his head. “Stubborn ass.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “I’ve heard you’re even more so.”

“From who?”

“Alessandra.”

Bull’s-eye. Michail stiffens at the mention of our father’s estate lawyer.

“When did you talk to Alessandra?” he growls.

“I didn’t.” I allow myself a small smirk. “But it was obvious to anyone with eyes that something is going on between you two.”

“Focus,” Gavriil snaps. “We’ll get to your mess next. You,” he says as he stabs a finger in my direction. “Tessa loves you. And I suspect you love her.”

“Suspect no longer, brother. I love her. As much as I can, anyway,” I add with a slight smile at the shell-shocked expression on Gavriil’s face.

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