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She took the champagne out of the fridge, her back turned to us. There was a hint of sadness and pain in her words. I knew Maddie heard it too.
Maddie shook her head and looked down at her lap.
“Forget about it. Do you know where the guys are?” she asked, quickly changing the topic.
“Like they ever tell me where they go,” Lena replied, with a hint of amusement. She smiled and kissed Evaline on the cheek.
“I’ll see you girls later. I’m sure you have lots of catching up to do.”
Lena walked away, and we settled around the table. Evaline was a chatterbox. She talked a lot. Maddie and her were so much alike.
But I was already in love. Evaline wasn’t the type of person who made you feel awkward. No, she pulled you in like you were a long-lost family member.
We talked for what felt like hours until we got interrupted by Viktor.
He walked in, and Evaline jumped up, going straight in his arms. They hugged and muttered something quietly to each other.
I sat back and smiled, watching the two. When they pulled away, Viktor ruffled her hair and turned his gaze to mine.
“I see you have already met my little hedgehog.”
Evaline growled, patting her hair down. “Don’t do that.”
“We are half brother and sister.” Evaline repeated what she said earlier.
I already knew that. Maddie had filled me in. I just stared at the two siblings. They were so similar, and I could see how much Viktor loved her sister.
They talked and joked, both of them fighting each other. When Viktor left, Evaline took her seat beside me again.
“Same father, different mother. Actually, our moms were sisters,” she said. “It appeared that dad had no control. He was the true definition of a playboy when he was younger.”
Isaak a playboy?
In that moment, I realized that Evaline was my sister. My eyes widened, and I stared at her. This was my chance. To know more about Isaak. Did she know who I was?
“Was he always like that?” I asked curiously, trying hard to act nonchalant.
Evaline shrugged. “Pretty mu—” Her words caught in her throat.
I saw her eyes widen, and then her expression changed. Her eyes held so much pain.
It looked like her heart had shattered in that moment.
“Yeah. Okay.”
Another voice pulled my head the other way.
Nikolay walked into the kitchen.
“I will let Boss kn—”
He stopped mid-sentence too.
Actually, he froze, standing still in the doorway. His eyes widened, and I looked back toward Evaline.
Both of them stared at each other, their eyes drawn to each other, like they were the only two people there.
I looked back at Nikolay. He looked like he was in pain too. He swallowed hard several times, his eyes moving over Evaline’s face.
“Nikolay,” I heard Evaline say. Her voice was soft. So soft and gentle. She said his name like she was whispering a prayer.
And then anger. So much anger. Nikolay’s face turned thunderous. He sent Evaline a piercing glare before stalking away.
I sat still.
Nikolay and Evaline?
She choked back a sob. “I’m sorry. Excuse me.”
Before I could say anything, Evaline got up and ran toward the back. The door to the back garden banged closed as she ran outside.
“That fucking asshole,” Maddie hissed. “I swear to God, I am so done with his bullshit.”
“What just happened?” I asked.
“Long story, babe. Long story. Let me get the drink—juice for you, though—and I’ll tell you.”
Chapter 29
One week later
“Are you done?” Maddie knocked at the door loudly.
I quickly wrapped the towel around me and opened the door. “Yes, I’m done.”
“Did you shave?” Evaline asked.
“Yes.”
“Everywhere?” Maddie added.
I glared at her. “Yes. I’m only going to the creek anyway. Why do I have to shave?”
Without answering, Maddie shoved a dress in my hand. “Here. Go change.”
I stared at the dress, confused. “That’s not the dress I picked.”
I looked over her shoulder, searching for my purple dress, but it was nowhere to be found.
“We thought this would look nicer,” Evaline said. “Hurry, go change. Alessio is waiting.”
“But—” I started to refuse. Maddie glared, and I shut up immediately.
With a sigh, I walked back into the bathroom and shrugged on the dress.
It was a long flowy white dress, coming down below my ankle. It was backless and sleeveless but very simple and elegant. It fit perfectly over my baby bump.
I stared at my reflection and smiled. I felt…beautiful.
I fixed the strings of the dress properly over my shoulders and then quickly combed my hair. It fell in waves down my back, and when I was satisfied with my appearance, I walked out.
Maddie and Evaline attacked me before I could say anything. After a little make-up, they finally let me breathe.
“Why?” I simply asked, looking at my glossy pink lips and coated eyelashes. I even had a light eyeshadow on.
“We just felt like dolling you up,” Evaline answered. I shook my head, feeling quite suspicious.
