Page 31 of Viktor

My mom will be joining us, too. I also managed to become friends with the girls at the studio. Damien had been feeding them lies to isolate me. But we figured it out after I was chosen for the next Prima. I’m not alone anymore.

The creak of the door pulls me from my thoughts, and Konstantin guides me through without touching me. Damien is tied to a weird-looking chair with straps along his body as well as ankles and wrists.?

When he sees me, he begs, “Please don’t do this. Don’t let him turn you into someone you’re not. Ivan said you wanted me and that you weren’t allowed to show it in public. I only ever loved you.”

He doesn’t struggle in the chair; in fact, I don’t think he can. I step closer, leaning close to his face, and I laugh. The chair has small nails going through, digging into his skin. There are blood droplets, so I’m guessing at some point he tried to break free.?

“You tried to rape me. It’s only fair I get some payback, don’t you think?” I step toward the toolbox left on the table for me and pull out a hammer.?

“He will ruin your future,” he pleads while I test the weight of the tool.

“I never forgot my dream. In fact, I’ve achieved it.”

His eyes widen at the realization. “You’re the new Prima?”?

I nod with a big smile. He opens his mouth to say something else, but I’m done delaying this. I don’t want to hear him speak anymore, so I swing the hammer into his kneecap, eliciting an agonized cry. I ignore it and crush the other one. The crack of the bones breaking are drowned out by his screams.?

“You crazy bitch,” he forces through clenched teeth. I just destroyed his future in dance. One of the things I knew he loved the most.

“The moment you touched me without my permission is the moment you became my enemy.”?

I’m not done, though. To stop him from touching anyone again, I crush both his hands. The mangled fingers broken and bleeding from being dug into the small nails. This is quite fun.?

“Now you can’t touch a woman at all,” I say, looking back down at the hammer. There is one last place I want to crush. My eyes drop between his legs.?

His eyes nearly bulge out of his head. “Please no, not there. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry!”

I ignore his pleas and smash his most precious parts left. I could swear I hear one of his balls popping. He sobs as I chuck the hammer to the side and turn. Walking back to Konstantin, hiding my pale face.?

I thought I’d feel awful after hurting him, but it’s mostly relief. I’m my father’s daughter after all.?

Konstantin stands behind me. “Everything okay?”?

I nod. “Yes. Please finish him off however you please. I’ll wait in the car.”

I walk away and the door closes, my hands rest on my knees and I take a deep breath, needing the small break. When I straighten, I make my way back to the car and slide into the passenger seat. Giving Damien false hope provided me a small amount of satisfaction. Although, I can’t imagine a man wanting to live after what I did.?

I take deep breaths while I’m waiting and text Viktor.?

I’ll be home soon.?

Perfect. See you soon, little doll.

Once Viktor is home, he kisses me hard on the lips.

“You okay?” he asks, knowing what I did today.

I bite my lip, “I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Thank you for letting me do it on my own.”?

He tucks a stand of hair behind my ear. “Anything for you. Wife.”

I melt into his arms. It felt like a long journey getting here. It’s still hard to think about my brother, but Viktor doesn’t stop me from mourning. He never told me I couldn’t talk about him and our small amount of memories.?

He now comes with me to most of my therapist appointments, even if he does sit outside and wait. I’ve gained a little bit of weight, but it’s healthy. It’s toning into muscle now. I’m slowly getting used to looking in a full-length mirror without picking things out that are wrong with me.?

Viktor comes to all my shows, too. He has never missed a single one. I love him even more for that. Every day feels amazing. He is my support system, and I trust that he would be there for me for anything and everything.

Joan has shown me how to cook some simple and healthy dishes. She was hesitant at first because she’s always prepared things herself. But now we enjoy each other's company. She’s like an aunt to me. I now have a family I never thought I’d have.

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