Page 50 of Royal Bargain
“It was,” he says flatly. Then, after a pause, “I didn’t come for him. I came to check on you.”
I smile, even though he can’t see it. “I know.”
Another pause. Softer now. “I didn’t mean what I said. About your betraying the family. That was cruel.”
“It was,” I say without venom. “But I said some things too. And I know I crossed a line when I brought up your… your personal life.”
“Stop.” The word is sharp. “Don’t do that.”
“I’m not trying to push you,” I say quickly. “I’m not. I just… I know how hard it is to hide parts of yourself to make someone else happy. And I shouldn’t have used it as a weapon. It’s not my place to force you to come out before you’re ready.”
“I’m not gay, Annika,” he snaps and then immediately goes quiet.
I press my lips together. “Okay.”
It’s not worth arguing. I can hear the panic behind the anger, and I know that voice all too well—the sound of someone clinging to a story they’ve rehearsed until it feels real.
He exhales into the silence. “I didn’t mean to yell.”
“I know,” I whisper. “It’s okay.”
There’s another long pause, and then I say, “Lily discovered she has toes.”
“What?”
“She figured out she can reach them,” I say, a laugh slipping into my voice. “Spent twenty minutes today trying to eat themlike they were a gourmet snack. Got frustrated when she couldn’t bite down.”
A pause. Then, softly, so softly, “That’s disgusting.”
I snort. “It was adorable.”
A tiny beat of silence.
“I’m glad she has you,” he says, voice barely above a breath. “You’re a good mother.”
“Thanks,” I whisper and press a hand to my heart.
For a moment, neither of us says anything. The silence isn’t uncomfortable. It’s nice, actually. I miss this.
“I should get back,” I say, reluctant to go.
“Be safe,Annushka.”
“You too.”
I slip my phone back into my clutch, smoothing my dress as I head toward the main hall. The buzz of conversation greets me before I even round the corner. The music has started again, something more upbeat now that Burns is off the mic.
I scan the room—and spot Liam near the main entrance, just slipping out through the double doors alongside Senator Burns. Probably headed outside for a photo op, press shots for the campaign. Liam’s laughing at something the senator said, his hand brushing his lapel, eyes focused ahead.
And then,
BOOM.
The sound tears through the night like a crack of thunder. Screams erupt. Glass shatters somewhere. People duck and scatter, heels skidding across marble, voices shouting over one another.
I freeze.
My breath catches.
