Page 93 of Sweet Deception
She let out a long sigh, as if I were an unreasonable child throwing a tantrum. “Of course, but you need to divorce your husband first. Formalize it. Then I promise I’ll bring you home.”
Divorce. That word felt heavier than I expected.
I hesitated. “And if I do? If I sign the divorce papers... you’ll get me out?”
“Of course, dear. You’ll be safe at home where you belong.” My mother’s voice was smooth,
I bit my lip. It sounded too easy. Too neat. And when has anything in my life ever been easy?
“I’m tired, Mom.”
Her tone softened, almost maternal. “I understand, my dear. Your sister is there now, and there’s no reason for you to stay. At least it’s fortunate he hasn’t consummated your marriage.
I squeezed my eyes shut, my head pounding. “Okay, Mom.”
“Talk to you later.”
But I wasn’t done. “Mom...” My voice caught in my throat. “Is Gleb’s sister really with you?”
There was a pause before she answered, “With your father, yes.”
I swallowed hard. “Mom, do you realize what Dad is doing to her?”
“Don’t be dramatic, Anna. She knew what she was getting into.”
I felt a wave of nausea. “He’s forcing her against her will. I saw the video.”
“She gave her consent.”
A cold chill spread through my chest. My stomach twisted violently. “Mom... I never knew this side of Dad.”
She chuckled lightly, as if amused by my naïveté. “This is how the mafia works, my dear. Your husband will do the same in time.”
I felt sick. “How can you be so comfortable with this?”
She didn’t answer.
I gritted my teeth. “Please, talk to Dad. Ask him to let the lady go.”
“And what about your cousins and brother? Did you forget they’re being held over there?”
My heart plummeted. I gripped the edge of the table for support. “Do you think he’ll let her go if I convince Gleb to release them?”
“I can’t speak for him.” She added, her voice distant, “When you come back, you can talk to your father about it.”
Talk? As if I’ll ever see him the same way again.
I didn’t know who scared me more, my husband’s family or my own.
“You’ll see, Anna. Once you’re back where you belong, everything will make sense.” She said softly.
“I don’t think it ever will.”
She chuckled, her tone unnervingly calm “That’s what your sister said too. Look where she ended up.”
The line went dead before I could respond.
I rested my head on the table, my body too heavy to move. The pressure, the suffocating weight of it all, was crushing me. I doubted I could even stand right now. It wasn’t just emotional anymore, it was physical.
