Page 39 of Fierce Sinner

Lev is a man who fights his own battles, while my father prefers to leave his dirty work to his men.

I’m lost in thought, loitering aimlessly in the vast kitchen when a voice calls out to me.

“Miss Ivanova, is everything okay?”

I spin around to face the source and smile as I recognize one of the kitchen staff.

“Hi, Elena,” I say. Around my age, the curvaceous brunette is an assistant to the chef, and I’ve become closer to her over the past few days. I assist her with her chores even though she protests. I can’t think of anything else to do with my time, especially since Lev has been ignoring me.

“Are you alright? You look shell-shocked,” she says with concern.

“I’m just tired,” I tell her.

“You should rest.” She gives me a reassuring smile.

If only it was that easy, but I don’t have it in me to argue with her.

“You’re probably right,” I say, wishing that a few hours of sleep would be enough to settle my heart.

“I’m serious. Go and have a lie-down. I’ll come and check on you later. I’ll bring up some of that hot chocolate you like and maybe I’ll sneak a couple of Chef’s fresh brownies.” She winks, and I smile wanly in response. It has her tutting like a mother hen, and she doesn’t stop fussing until I leave the kitchen and head to my room.

I don’t know how long I lie on my bed before sleep takes over, but by the time I wake up, my room is dark. There’s a tray on the bedside table with a cup of tepid chocolate and a mound of brownies. Elena obviously came in, but I was so out of it I wasn’t even aware of her. I slept long and deeply. I must have been more exhausted than I thought.

I sit up as I switch on the lights, groaning at how drained I still am. It takes me a moment to notice that my phone is ringing. I reach for it and see the number that Leila gave me before I left heryesterday. My heart starts pounding, though my feelings are mixed.

“Hello, Leila,” I say as I answer the call.

“Aurora, dear. I wish you’d call me Mom…” Her voice trails off, and I don’t respond. “How are you?”

“I’m fine and you?” I ask, feeling horribly stilted.

“I’m fine,” Leila says in reply before she grows silent. I check the time and realize it’s 9:30 pm.

God, I hope nothing’s wrong.

Maybe my father’s up to his old tricks again.

“Is there a problem, Lei— um…Mom?”

“Not at all. I just… wanted to check in. It would be good to see you again,” she says.

I suddenly find myself going stiff because I know what she is suggesting is impossible. There is no way I can ask Lev for permission in his current state. And sneaking out unnoticed is not an option.

I don’t want to dash her hopes, though. No matter how strange this all feels to me, this is the mother I’ve been dreaming of for years, and now she’s reaching out to me. It’s not her fault, I’m just not feeling it.

“I’ll give it some thought,” I tell her. “Things are… tricky right now.But perhaps I can make plans to get out.”

Get out.

Fuck.

You’d think I was planning a jailbreak.

“I’d love that, Aurora. I can’t tell you how much I’d enjoy spending more time with you,” she says. I frown when I notice my door is slightly ajar. I’m sure it had been closed earlier.

“I’ll let you know as soon as I can arrange something,” I tell her as I stand.

“I’ll be waiting,” her voice brightens as if she’s smiling. God, I really hope I can do something. “Goodnight, my love,” she says, and my heart clenches painfully.

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