Page 65 of Porcelain Lies

I stalk through the mansion’s halls, my thoughts swirling darkly. The last thing I need is word of this theft spreading before tonight’s gathering. One hint of weakness and my enemies will circle like sharks.

I pause as I hear sounds coming from my bedroom. Sofia’s voice drifts through the door — another thing I don’t have patience for right now. But as I hover in the doorway, she spots me in the mirror and puts down her phone.

“There you are.” She applies another coat of red lipstick, her eyes never leaving my reflection.

“What are you doing here, Sofia?”

“Can’t a girl wait for her fiancé in his bedroom?” She gives a catlike smile.

“No.” I step into the room. “I have things to do. What do you want?”

“Just some time alone with you,rodnoy.” Her eyes flicker. “We haven’t had a chance to talk much lately.”

“What do you want to talk about?” I fold my arms over my chest.

“I want to spend more time with you, Aleksei. It is my place, after all.”

“It’s not. You know that.”

“It is a wife’s duty to be at her husband’s side when he goes about his public duties. You know this is true.” Her eyes narrow. “Functions. Charity events. I should be there to keep your company.”

My back stiffens. “I don’t need your company, Sofia.”

“I heard you had quite an interesting time at that charity event. The one for the sick children,” she says abruptly.

I lean against the doorframe, keeping my expression neutral. “Business as usual.”

“Really?” She sets down the lipstick with precise movements. “Because Elena Petrova says she saw you leave with somesuka.”

A string of vivid memories flashes through my mind before I can stop them. The way she’d melted into my touch, how her breath caught when-

“What the fuck are you talking about, Sofia. That was weeks ago.”

“Weeks in which people have been talking, Aleksei.” Her voice rises. “I will not have you running around with some cheap—”

“I don’t have time for your paranoid fantasies,” I stop her.

Sofia turns to face me, her perfectly made-up face twisted with spite. “Don’t lie to me, Aleksei. I know when you’re hiding something.”

The woman from the charity event intrudes again — her vulnerability in that quiet corner, the taste of her on my lips. I push the thoughts away.

“The only thing I’m hiding is my growing irritation with these accusations.” I straighten, done with this conversation. “You need to go home.”

“But I need to get ready for the party—”

Striding up, I grab Sofia’s arm, yanking her up from the vanity. “That’s enough.”

“Let go of me!” She tries to twist away, but I tighten my grip.

“You don’t live here. You don’t have the right to come into my bedroom whenever you want.” I drag her toward the door, past her scattered makeup and clothes. “This isn’t your house, and I’m not your husband.”

“You will be! The arrangements are made—”

“Arrangements can be broken.” The words come out like ice. “Remember that.”

Sofia’s face contorts. “You wouldn’t dare. My father—”

“Your father knows exactly who I am and what I’m capable of.” I pull out my phone, stabbing at the screen. “Taxi. Now.”

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