“I don’t think so. Ivan was just an asshole. You can divorce him and focus on designing.”
Caitlin looked at me for a moment and nodded once beforereturning her attention to the breakfast.
“So, can I finally see some designs you made? You were supposed to show me.”
A small smile appeared on her face. “Yeah.”
“Okay, but first you need to finish breakfast and take your medicine.” I let her eat while I crossed the room to open the curtains. Sunlight spilled through the curtains, and I appreciated how huge the windows were.
Once Caitlin had eaten enough, I set the tray aside and reached for the medicine. “Take these first, then after a few minutes, you’ll take the other ones. Doctor’s orders, and I’ve decided to enforce them.”
She chuckled and took the pills from me. “Thank you, Inna. And I’m sorry. I’m bothering you.”
I looked at her. “You’re not bothering me.”
“I am. You should be somewhere else doing something important, but instead you’re here.”
“Did you force me?” I asked, pointing toward the pills. “You didn’t, so take your pills. You’re a friend, and friends are supposed to be there for each other.” I smoothed the front of my dress. “I’m going to bring you some of my clothes, so you have something comfortable to change into. My size should work. I’m taller than you, but you’re a designer, so I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”
She nodded with a faint smile. “Just an inch taller. I’m sure they’ll work.”
I took the glass from her hands. “Rest a bit. I’ll be back.” I picked up the tray and walked out of the room.
Before I reached the kitchen, I slowed when I spotted Dmitri at the far end of the corridor heading toward his office. He was still wearing the same clothes he had left on last night.
Last night, after the doctor finished checking Caitlin and she settled into the guest room, I stayed beside her, telling myself Iwould only sit there for a few minutes. Instead, I fell asleep. I woke up to Dmitri’s arms lifting me from the chair and carrying me upstairs. He placed me on the bed and left the room without saying a word.
“Let me take that, ma’am.” Anita appeared beside me and lifted the tray from my hands.
I thanked her, then changed direction and followed Dmitri.
When I reached the office, I stopped outside the door after hearing Dmitri’s voice from inside. “Burn the body if you have to.”
He sounded angry.
I held the sentence in my head for a moment, turning it over carefully. This was the part I never said out loud, even to myself. Dmitri ran things strangely. Beneath the businesses with polished names and official addresses lay something darker. I knew it. I just chose not to look at it too closely.
“Miss?”
I jerked sideways so fast my heart nearly launched out of my chest. Akim stood behind me carrying an iPad and a file.
“Is everyone in this house allergic to making noise when they walk?” I pressed a hand against my chest. “How long have you been standing there?”
“Not so long,” he answered.
I straightened and cleared my throat. “You can go in.”
He nodded once and stepped toward the door, but before knocking, he paused and looked back at me. “By the way—”
“I’ll sign them and give them to you,” I cut in. “Do you need them today?”
He hesitated, then stepped back toward me. “I wanted to know how she is.”
Oh.
So an actual human was somewhere underneath all that stone. This man saved Caitlin yesterday, which should have told meenough already.
“She’s better,” I said. “The swelling is going down. You could go see her if you wanted.”
