Page 123 of Bride By Coronation

I get a sinking feeling. "What else is going on?"

He strokes my cheeks with his thumbs, announcing, "Your mother and Dante know about us."

My jaw drops to the floor. I grip the railing, breathing, "What? How?"

Disapproval fills his expression. He admits, "Someone sent them photos of our wedding. The same thing happened to Sean and Zara."

"Yes, I remember. I got the photos too."

Guilt fills Kirill's sharp features. "I should have found out who sent them, but I had other pressing matters to attend to. This is my fault. I'm sorry, Fiona. I didn't want your mother to learn about us this way."

I turn toward the water and close my eyes, trying to shake off the vision of my mom upset, but I can't.

He adds, "Brax said they're flying to Chicago. I assume they've tried to contact you."

I stay silent, the blue water not in focus, still reeling inside over how badly I know my mom must be hurting.

I married a Petrov.

No one will ever understand why if I can't tell the truth.

Kirill isn't bad.

But they won't believe me when I try to convince them.

"Fiona, look at me," Kirill orders.

I slowly meet his gaze.

"I will help you make it right."

"How? You're a Petrov?" I remind him, feeling sicker by the second.

His face drops. "Yes, but we'll figure this out."

I shake my head. "You don't understand. They will never accept our marriage. Never."

Disappointment flashes in his eyes, but he quickly masks his reaction, claiming, "We'll get them to accept us."

As much as I want to believe him, I can't. The hatred the O'Malleys, O'Connors, Marinos, and especially the Ivanovs have for the Petrovs runs deep.

Crap! Adrian's going to kill me when he finds out.

"Trust me. We'll figure this out," Kirill insists.

Matteo interrupts, "Ma'am. Your phone." He offers me my cell.

"Thank you," I reply, grabbing it and turning it on.

My insides quiver. It feels like forever before the screen lights up, and text messages and missed calls pop up for several minutes. My hand shakes.

"Come. Sit down," Kirill orders, putting his hand on my back and guiding me to the double lounger.

"There are so many," I state, watching my screen display more notifications. I sit down and watch until it finally stops, then slowly raise my head.

Kirill rubs my back, advising, "Take a deep breath."

I mumble, "This is worse than an attempt to take me out."

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