Page 46 of His to Own

Her expression turns sympathetic. “I get that. I do. When I first married Nikolai, everything was new for me. I had to learn so much. If you ever need me, just call. I’ll come right over.” She faces Maxim head on. “You better let me inside when I come to visit. I will see my sister.”

Maxim lets out a low whistle and says to Nikolai, “Your wife is scary.”

“She’s fierce when it comes to her sisters,” Nikolai explains, giving Lana a proud smile. When he places his hand on her back, she leans into his touch. The love between them is obvious.

I glance at Maxim. Will I ever have that with him? Right now, all I feel is lost and confused over my feelings for Maxim. The fear I have for him. The hate I have for him. And the excitement that courses through me every now and then when I look at him.

My parents arrive next, making my mood instantly shift. “What are they doing here?” I whisper to Lana, who only shrugs.

“I invited them,” Maxim says. “I thought it would be good for them to come. Your father and I need to work through some things.”

When my father approaches us, Maxim extends his hand. “Gregory.”

With a sneer, Father shakes Maxim’s hand. “Maxim.” It’s clear my father is not happy about all of this but what’s done has been done. Me and Maxim are married. He lost another daughter. I’m sure his pride is taking a serious hit.

Father’s eyes flick to mine and he turns away like he didn’t even see me.

I flinch and fight the urge to cry.

“You can least say hi to your daughter,” Maxim says.

Father turns his cold eyes onto Maxim. “She is a disappointment to me.” Without any other explanation, he walks away. Mother offers me a small smile before following him.

Lana rubs my arm. “Are you ok?” Her kindness only makes me want to cry more.

“I’m fine. I have to use the restroom,” I gasp out and practically run down the hallway. Once I’m alone in the bathroom, I splash water on my face and focus on breathing. I can do this. I have to do this. I have no other choice.

A knock at the door makes me jump. “Someone is in here,” I say.

“Sorry,” a feminine voice replies.

With a sigh, I open the door to see a beautiful young woman standing there. Red hair. Pale skin. Icy blue eyes. She could be a model for how pretty she is.

“It’s all yours,” I say.

“Thanks.” She goes into the bathroom and I remain in the hallway where it’s still quiet. After a minute, she comes back out. “I’m Alisa.”

“Elena.”

“Ah. So you’re Maxim’s new wife. I’ve heard all about you.”

“From who?”

“My husband. He’s one of Maxim’s men. He told me all about how Maxim got married on a whim. He thought it was hilarious.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” I say with a polite nod.

“You too.” Her eyes size me up and I’m not sure what she’s thinking. Good or bad. I can’t tell.

Maxim comes into the hallway, stopping when he sees me and Alisa. “Hi. What are you two talking about?”

Alisa gives him a deep red smile. “We were just getting to know one another. Weren’t we, Elena?”

“Yes. It was nice meeting you, Alisa.”

She grips my hands and squeezes them – a little bit tighter than expected – before letting go. “Let’s be friends.”

“Oh… all right.”