Page 116 of His Forced Bride
I read her expression like a book and know the turmoil she's probably caught up in within her thoughts.
Every little girl's dream is to have a mother who cares for her, and Inessa has never had that.
Both women look up when I enter, but their reactions couldn't be more different.
Viktoria's smile is predatory. Inessa's face drains of color.
"Yuri!" Viktoria rises with theatrics like normal.
"How wonderful to finally meet my daughter's husband. I was just telling Inessa how concerned I've been about her wellbeing."
"Get out."
My words slice through Viktoria's act, and her smile falters for a split second before reasserting itself.
"I beg pardon?"
"You heard me perfectly. Get out of my house."
I stop short of pointing, but I make my authority known by stepping out of her path to the door.
"I'm here to see my daughter?—"
"You're here because you gained access through deception and manipulation."
I step into the room and Inessa's head droops further.
"You compromised my security, corrupted my staff, and violated the sanctity of my home. Those are not the actions of a concerned mother."
"Yuri—"
Inessa starts to speak, but I cut her off with a look.
This conversation is between Viktoria and me.
"I don't know what you think you're accomplishing," Viktoria says, setting down her glass.
"But keeping Inessa prisoner won't?—"
"Prisoner?"
The word explodes from my throat like a rocket exploding.
"She's my wife. This is her home. You're the intruder here."
"She called me."
Viktoria's voice turns smug, almost triumphant.
"Begged me to come. Said she was desperate, trapped, needed her mother's help to escape this gilded cage you've built around her."
I turn to Inessa, whose face confirms at least the partial truth.
She made contact with her mother first.
She reached out to this poisonous woman and invited her into our lives, into my sanctuary.
Maybe she didn't beg for help, but I see the guilt stained on her drooping face.
