Page 54 of The Bratva's Hunted Bride
I don’t know why I keep doing it. It’s not like I could even reply. It would be risky, and it would only prolong the hurt. The inevitable ending of this situation is that I can never see him again. It’s as simple as that, yet my heart refuses to let go.
It’s been two weeks.
Two weeks of living in this never-ending state of misery. The persistence of a broken heart is a silent weight I’m carrying alone.
A knock at my bedroom door draws my eyes up from the book I’ve been staring blankly at for an unknown amount of time.
The words are just blurred shapes on a white page.
“Come in,” I call out, and the door pushes inwards. Marlen steps into my bedroom.
He looks around, as though he’s making sure I’m not up to anything. Then he leans his shoulder against the door frame and pulls his mouth tight as he narrows his eyes toward me.
“You can’t hide in here all the time, Talia,” he huffs.
“I’m reading.” I hold up the book in my hands as evidence.
“Come down for dinner. It’s in thirty minutes,” he commands. His voice is cold and harsh. It’s how it’s been since I came home. He’s still angry with me. I haven’t confronted him about it for two reasons. The first being that I’m too emotionally exhausted to deal with anything other than my broken heart. I’m swallowed whole by the horrible way I left Timofey, how I had to lie to him, how he thinks I manipulated him and faked everything that happened between us. That alone is too heavy for me…I can’t also deal with Marlen’s treatment of me, or try to use what little energy I have to explain to him what really happened. And if I tried to explain to him, it would probably make him even angrier because I’d have to tell him I love Timofey.
The second reason I’m letting him speak to me in those cold tones without arguing or disagreeing is that I’m trying to make sure he keeps his promise to leave Timofey and his family alone.
I’m on my best behavior.
“I’ll be down for dinner,” I nod, pushing a smile onto my face, hoping it doesn’t look as fake as it feels.
“Hmph.” Marlen cocks his head to the side. “Has he tried to contact you?” he asks.
“No, I made sure he knew it was over,” I say quietly, my heart tugging in my chest.
“Have you tried to contact him?” he asks, accusation rich in his voice.
“Marlen, please…” I sigh.
He sneers, clenching his jaw. His face is flooded with disdain toward the things I’ve done. “Fine,” he snaps. Then spins on his heels and leaves me alone again.
I love my brother. And I can see how badly I’ve hurt him with my choices.
Throughout his life, he had always wanted to keep me safe. Each of my brothers. All they wanted was for me to be safe. I understand why he’s angry. I just wish he would try and understand from my side too.
Marlen is being the most brutal toward me. My other brothers are angry, but they aren’t as cold as Marlen.
I toss the book aside, annoyed with it. Annoyed with everything.
Dinner is as it’s been every night since I came home.
My brothers talk about business and hardly speak to me at all. I don’t think it’s their fault. I think it’s because they gave up trying to make conversation with me after the first few days, when all of my answers were one-worded.
I don’t want to talk.
I hardly want to eat, even though I’m constantly starving with this little baby growing inside me. At least I have a piece of Timofey. I will always have a piece of him in my life.
Half of my child.
Maybe he or she will have his eyes. Or his smile.
“Talia?” Marlen snaps. “Simon asked you a question.” He’s glaring at me.
Simon shifts in his seat, smiling at me.
