Page 23 of His Forced Bride
Beautiful and broken and completely useless.
"I'm fine. Just… clumsy." I sniffle, wiping my eyes.
This can't be happening.
It feels like a nightmare, and all I want is for Batya to walk through those doors and tell me it's a joke.
Marina doesn't believe me, but she fetches a broom anyway and doesn't question me.
I watch her sweep up the remains of my father's gift, each shard disappearing into the dustpan.
Another piece of my old life erased.
Through the glass wall of my office, I can see my employees huddled together, whispering.
They keep glancing toward the front windows, and when I follow their gaze, I see why.
Three black cars are parked across the street, dark figures visible behind tinted glass.
Yuri's men, making sure I don't run or do anything stupid.
My phone buzzes from in my pocket and I pull it out to see Yuri's number on the screen.
My stomach clenches, and I let it ring four times before answering.
"What do you want?"
"Good morning to you too, Wife."
The word 'wife' makes my skin crawl.
He's a disgusting man with no right to do what he's doing.
"I'm not your wife."
"A technicality we'll correct tomorrow."
Papers rustle in the background.
"I trust you've had time to consider your situation."
"You mean the situation where you've stolen my company and bribed my lawyer?"
"I've done nothing but protect our mutual interests. Your accounts are frozen to prevent any… impulsive decisions during your difficult time."
"My difficult time? You're the one who created this mess."
"I didn't pull the trigger, Inessa."
His voice drops to a low register and it makes me cringe.
"But I'm the one offering you a way out."
Of course Yuri didn't have his own son killed.
He might be the Devil incarnate, but he felt the loss of his son the way I feel the loss of my father.
I saw it in his eyes even if he won't admit it.
