Page 186 of Porcelain Lies

“But… but this is important,” I push, fumbling for words. “I just found out. I know it sounds ridiculous, but… we’re sisters.”

Her eyes fly wide. And then her face twists into something dark. “What?” she laughs out the word. “Are you fucking kidding me? That’s the most idiotic bullshit I’ve ever heard.” She shakes her head; dark hair goes flying.

“But it’s true! You were adopted, right?” I say, hoping for some sort of acknowledgment. All I see is contempt. I start to babble, trying to get the right words out. “Your parents were my parents. They had to give you up. But I always knew I had a sister and I never—”

“Stop.” She spits the word with violent precision, cutting the air between us like a blade. “Donotcall me that.” Her eyes are shards of ice. I see no reflection of myself there, only hatred. “You think you can manipulate me with some… ridiculous lie?” She sneers, low and bitter, the sound scratching down my spine. “Nice try, Stella.”

“It’s not a lie!” I take another step forward, my hand reaching out, desperate now. “Our parents — your birth parents — they were too young. Sofia, they weretoo young to keep you. They found you a family who could take care of you. But before that, you were — youareBoyana Larkina.”

A flicker. The barest flicker of something tilts her expression — her lips part, her brows twitch downward. It’s there for a fragment of a second before the rage washes it away, sweeping over her like wildfire.

“Shut up!” She surges forward, her finger jabbing toward my face. “You think you can spin fairy tales and make this go away? You think I’ll just forgive you for ruining my life because you fabricated some bullshit story—”

“Ruining your life?” I say in astonishment.

“Yes!” she snaps. “You and that fucking baby got in the way of me and Aleksei and ruined everything, you stupid cunt!”

I stare at her. The way I’m starting to see it, her ‘perfect’ life was destined to be over before it began. She was screwing Gianni before she even walked down the aisle with Aleksei, for God’s sake. But there’s no way I’m going to say that now. She doesn’t need any more reasons to want to kill me.

“I’m so sorry, Sofia,” I say instead, my hand outstretched. I don’t know if it’s a gesture of surrender or connection, but she stares at it as if she’d happily bite my fingers off.

“Don’t you fucking ‘sorry’ me!” she snarls. “I’ll show you how sorry you can be when I—”

“Ladies, ladies, let’s be reasonable here.” Gianni’s voice cuts through her tirade, slick and smooth, like poison dripping from silver. It makes my skin crawl.

He slides between us, his body a barrier I would never ask for. His eyes shift to me, and a shiver rakes through me as they roam over my form, stopping at the slight curve of my stomach.

“Ah,” he says. “The miracle of childbirth.” He smirks. “You know, I find it fascinating.” He’s too close. Close enough that I can smell the faint musk of his cologne, feel the heat radiating from him even as my own blood runs cold. His lips curl into something that’s supposed to be a smile but feels more like a predator baring its teeth.

It’s impossible to believe that not long ago, I was planning to spend my life with this man. Now, just standing in front of him makes me want to vomit.

“Get away from me,” I hiss, recoiling and folding my arms over my chest. He reaches out to stroke my cheek, and I slap it away, resisting the urge to snap my teeth at him.

“Leave this to me, Gianni,” Sofia says coldly. “I told you I wanted to handle her.”

Fuck.

Exactly how does she plan tohandleme?

“Now now, Sofia,cara mia.” Gianni’s accent has grown thicker. “Let’s not be too hasty. You can still have your moment with her. Just let me have my fun first.”

“Gianni, stop fucking around,” Sofia barks.

“Fucking around. Funny you should say that.” He chuckles. “Let’s not waste this opportunity,” he purrs, unhurried, deliberate.

Opportunity?

The words feel acidic, burning through the heavy air and into my skin.

“What opportunity?” Sofia’s voice slices upward, sharp and disbelieving. “This wasn’t part of the plan, Gianni. Weagreed—”

“Don’t worry, I just need a moment,” he interrupts her, his eyes never leaving me. “After this, you’ll do with her as you please.” His hand drifts toward his belt buckle, his movements casual, predatory.

What?!

He can’t be serious!

I freeze, unable to breathe, unable to move, as his zipper whines in the oppressive silence. My stomach churns violently.

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