Page 155 of Bride By Coronation

His gaze darkens. "What do you think I'm saying? Petrovs are not welcome here. That includes your husband, and you, if that's who you now are."

"I'm still the same person," I cry out.

"No. When you decided to marry a Petrov, you decided whose side you're on," he claims.

"Adrian, please go inside," Skylar repeats.

More anger fills his expression. "And leave you out here with a Petrov? Never." He moves Skylar behind him and then turns to her. "Go inside."

"I'm not going inside until you come with me," she says.

"I mean it, Skylar. Go inside."

She shakes her head. "No. Adrian, you're not staying out here. Let's all go inside. Fiona's right. We need to talk."

"She's not coming in the office ever again unless she divorces him and admits what a mistake this is."

Skylar's eyes widen. She looks at me helplessly.

I reach for the car to steady myself, my eyes watering and my body trembling. I try again. "Adrian, please. Let's go inside and talk."

"I'm sorry, Fiona. We've loved you like a daughter, but I will not stand for Petrovs to be anywhere near my family, especially after all they've done," he says, his jaw ticking.

Hurt fills me, but I feel horrible for him as well. I soften my tone and put my hand on his arm. "Adrian, I'm sorry for what happened to Natalia, but Kirill didn't do it. It's not his fault."

He snarls, "They kidnapped and repeatedly raped my sister in a whorehouse and then murdered her. And you want me to let that scumbag inside my wife's place of work?"

My tears fall faster. I beg, "Please. If you just get to know him?—"

"I'm never going to get to know a Petrov. Never!"

"I'm sorry, but go home, Fiona. We'll talk later. Adrian, let's go inside," Skylar demands, tugging on him and giving me anI'm sorrylook.

He looks at her, warning, "I mean it, Skylar. Petrovs will not be near my family."

She nods. "Let's go inside."

He gives me another disgusted look full of disappointment, then makes sure she's in front of him as he guides her inside. Before he disappears, he turns and gives me another heart-wrenching look. Then he slams the door.

I stand there, shaking and sobbing.

Kirill opens the SUV door, warning, "Don't ever tell me to get in the car again. I will never stand by and watch something like that again."

I look up at him, crying harder.

He tugs me into him, adding, "You will not be treated this way."

Feeling like I deserved Adrian's treatment, and still trying to process everything that just happened, I manage to choke out, "It's okay."

"Come, my queen. Let's go," he says.

Not knowing what else to do, I get into the SUV.

He slides in beside me and pulls me into his arms.

I sob until we get back to the penthouse. As soon as we step inside, my phone rings.

My stomach curls again. I answer, "Skylar, I'm so sorry."

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