No. I cannot say it. Not to her. Not here.
So I do the only thing I can.
“Because he’s not interested in women like you.”
Vika actually laughs. “That,” she says, “is what this is about.”
“It isn’t.”
“It absolutely is.”
I shake my head, exhausted suddenly, and head toward the door because I can feel the conversation rotting in my hands.
Behind me, Vika says lightly, “You should have told me sooner if he mattered to you.”
I stop. Just for a second.
When I turn back, her smile is softer now, but only because she thinks she has won something.
“You never looked like that over Lev,” she says.
I go cold. For a second, I can’t speak.
Vika sees that and presses harder. “So whoever Roman is to you,” she says, “it’s more than Lev ever was.”
I seethe. “How dare you take his name?”
She gives me a stupid look. “Are you still mad that he chose me over you?”
“Lev’s been dead for years, but I didn’t see you mourn him for longer than a few days,” I say quietly.
Her face changes. “How dare you say that to me, you?—”
“Stop,” I say. “Not one more word. I know you enjoy taking things from me, but this isn’t about me.”
She has turned red. “How dare you. First you and your mother come sneaking back to my house like cockroaches.”
I turn my chin proudly. “This was my house first.”
“Just wait and watch. Your precious Roman will be mine soon,” she says.
Before I can answer, Irina appears in the doorway.
“What is going on?”
Vika turns at once, all injured dignity and bright eyes. “Nothing. Katerina just came in here to warn me off Roman.”
Irina’s expression hardens on me instantly. “How generous of you.”
I don’t bother pretending innocence. “I’m trying to save her from embarrassment.”
Vika lets out a short laugh. “No, you’re trying to save yourself from it.”
Irina’s gaze moves between us. “Would someone like to explain why Roman Sokolov has suddenly turned this house into a schoolgirl rivalry?”
“Schoolgirl?” I say. “You overestimate the maturity in the room.”
Vika smiles at that, nasty and pleased. “She warned me away from him.”
