Page 25 of Sweet Obsession
I caught snippets of conversation.
“Formal announcement tonight...”
“Señor Rojas says the wedding must move forward, no delays.”
“The Russian approves?”
I ducked around a corner before they noticed me.
Wedding.
No delays.
The words clawed at my stomach.
The dining room was already set when I arrived.
Silver gleamed. Porcelain shone. Guards flanked the double doors like statues.
Papa sat at the head of the table, reading a document with a glass of black coffee at his elbow.
Gabriela sat quietly two seats down, fingers twisting the hem of her dress, eyes downcast.
And Yuri, he lounged lazily across from her, grinning like the devil who knew he’d already won.
He winked when he saw me.
I ignored him and slid into the chair beside Gabriela.
My heart kicked painfully when I caught sight of another figure entering behind me.
Misha.
Tailored black suit. No tie. Open collar. Sharp enough to bleed on.
He moved like he owned the air around him, every step measured, unhurried and inevitable.
He didn’t greet anyone.
He didn’t need to.
His presence said everything.
Papa cleared his throat awkwardly.
“We have much to celebrate today,” he said, voice booming too loud against the heavy silence. “A new alliance. A stronger future.”
Misha didn’t so much as glance at him.
Instead, his gaze locked briefly and deliberately on me.
Just a flicker. But enough.
My palms went clammy.
I dropped my eyes to my plate.
Papa cleared his throat, the sound too loud against the suffocating silence.
