Page 77 of Beautiful Deception

“I’ve been sick,” I lie. “I wasn’t able to come. Where are you?”

“I’m staying with a friend who graciously took me in. He’s actually helping me get back on my feet, unlike some people.”

I wince. “I’m sorry, Dad. I wanted to come. I swear. I just… couldn’t. But I can start paying for the room again. You can come back. How does that sound?”

“I might take you up on that offer. But that doesn’t make it ok that you just disappeared off the face of the earth. I don’t even know where you live and work, Inessa. What kind of daughter doesn’t tell her father that?”

What kind of father leaves the burden of finances on their daughter?I want to snap back but I don’t. I’m never one to argue.

“I’ll pay for the room for the next two weeks. Please, come back. I want to see you again.”

“All right.”

I make a promise to see him in a few days, then hang up and pay for his room. “Thanks again,” I say to the clerk.

He only sighs and takes the money and turns back to his phone screen.

The guard Viktor hired to take me to the motel doesn’t ask me any questions, for which I’m glad. The less anyone knows, the better.

Except, now Viktor will know exactly what motel my father is staying at. If he wanted to, he could find my father for himself and learn that I’ve been lying to him.

Mrs. Green rushes to my side the moment I return. “Mr. Smirnov wants to see you in his office.”

“For what?”

“He didn’t say. I’m just glad you’re finally up on your feet again. Now you can return to your normal chores.”

Of course. I give Mrs. Green a tight smile before going to see Viktor.

“You’re up,” he says, smiling at me, and walking around the desk to pull me into a hug.

“I am. I’m no longer in pain, for which I’m grateful. Thank you for letting me rest so I could heal.”

“Inessa, you never have to thank me for that. Now, you’ve had the past two weeks to think about my offer. You know how I feel. You know how I care for you. I want to ask formally.” He takes a small box out of his desk drawer and gets on one knee before me.

“Inessa, will you marry me?” Inside the box is nestled the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen in my entire life.

I did think about what I would say in this moment over the past two weeks. My brain is telling me to say no. That I can’t take such a huge risk in marrying Viktor.

But my heart…

My heart speaks for me.

“Yes,” I say before I can stop myself. Viktor’s smile lights up his face. It’s something I so rarely see him do. He slides the ring on my finger.

“A perfect fit.”

A huge gust of breath leaves me and I stumble back. Viktor quickly stands and rights me.

“Are you ok?”

“I’m fine,” I say. “Just… this is a lot. I never imagined this would happen. You have to believe me, Viktor. I never took this job for this to happen.”

“I know. You’re an innocent. I care for you, Inessa. I know there’s no one else I want to marry. And I’ve been denying myself happiness for the past year and I’m done with it. I’m going to be happy and it’s going to be with you.” He cups my face and gives me a tender kiss.

It only lasts a moment.

“I care for you too,” I admit. I might even love him but it feels too intimate to say, despite the proposal. How can I love the man who tried to murder my father? How can I love the man I’ve been deceiving for the past month and a half?

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