Page 79 of The Pakhan's Forced Bride
“What?” she stammers, her face softening with confusion and shock. “Hurting?”
“I’mhurtingMom. My heart is broken. I don’t want to let him go. I know I have to, but I’m not ready,” I sob, emotions rushing from me.
My mother hurries to my side and pulls me into her arms. “Sweetheart,” she says, gently stroking my hair as she holds me close. “I didn’t know you had feelings for the man.”
I bury my face in her shoulder and let go of everything I’ve been holding onto, no longer trying to be strong and brave for the sake of acting tough or normal.
“I-I don’t understand why he didn’t fight for me? I thought I meant something to him, but he said the nastiest things after Benedikt attacked him. He didn’t even let me explain myself.”
I pour my heart out, and my mother, for the first time ever, just listens. I tell her why I hated the blind dates, I tell her how I fell in love with Ardalion without even realizing it was happening. I tell her how he made me feel beautiful and safe.
She listens, and finally, she understands me.
It’s a breakthrough in our relationship.
“All I ever wanted for you was security, Belle. I was trying to make sure you had a good future with a good man. I didn’t mean to put you through that,” she sighs, tucking a curl behind my ear.
“I know, Mom, I know you were just looking out for me, but it was horrible. And now—I don’t know what to do. I found the man I love, but I don’t think he loves me the same way,” I sigh, shrugging.
“Give it time, sweetheart. Time has a way of sorting things out. If it’s meant to be, it will be. If it’s not, then time will help you heal.”
I nod, understanding her advice, agreeing with it, even though I’m terrified that time will make him forget me.
She hugs me tight and whispers in my ear. “I’m really sorry, sweetheart. I’m sorry you’re going through this, and I’m sorry I didn’t make it any easier.”
“I love you, Mom,” I whisper, holding her tighter, too.
***
Late in the afternoon, I’m watching a series in the living room, trying to distract my constant thoughts of him.
I hear Ulyana, pacing outside the room, talking on the phone.
I press mute on the remote and cock my head to the side, worried about the tone of her voice. She sounds anxious.
“Benedikt, I don’t like this,” she says. "You didn’t tell me that the enemy was back."
I get off the sofa and sneak to the door, getting closer so that I can hear more.
She continues to pace. “Okay, but you can’t go alone,” she huffs, her voice tense. “No, I won’t say anything to her.”To whom?
“Okay,” she sighs. “I love you.”
Ulyana jumps when I step into the hallway outside the living room.
“Belle?” she says, placing her hand over her heart.
“Is everything okay?” I ask, narrowing my eyes. “I heard you on the phone,” I add, letting her know I was eavesdropping and she may as well tell me everything.
She huffs and rolls her eyes.
I stand waiting.
“That enemy that was causing all the trouble—he’s back. Benedikt just got word that the guy is about to launch an attack on one of his locations here in Vegas.” She bites her lip, watching me.
“But he was preparing for this attack for a week already, wasn’t he?” I ask, sensing that she’s not saying everything.
“Yes,” she says, scrunching her nose, a flash of guilt in her eyes.
