Page 76 of The Marriage

What?

She stared blankly at the woman, sure she’d heard her wrong. Her father?

“Sylvia is at a bad location today, cell service is spotty—we also can’t reach your husband to clear the visitor, but your file filled out by him did check off immediate family as approved visitors. And it is noted in your file that having guests really does improve your mood and days. We’re willing to accommodate the visitor for a short time, if you’re interested.”

It was almost as if she was saying no harm, no foul. We won’t tell if you won’t. Karine was beginning to think there was more than one thing about the Twin Rivers facility that wasn’t exactly above board.

Karine just blinked.

She was sure that box had been checked by her husband either by mistake, or simply because there wasn’t another option. Maybe he’d been distracted.

Alarm bells rang in her mind.

Silently, but loud all the same.

“Karine?”

“My father—you’re sure?”

“Maxim Yazov. You did mention him the other day when we went on our walk, remember?”

But briefly, in passing.

She knew better than to spill the truth about her father and every sordid detail of her history.

How did Maxim find her hiding place? If he was even alive like Roman claimed. It was just a theory, and he didn’t have actual proof that Maxim was alive.

What if it was Dima claiming to be her father? Or one of his men. Was he that cunning?

Mrs. Hughes must have finally noticed the hesitance in Karine because she stepped into the room, and closed the door slightly behind her. Leaving only a crack open. “You don’t have to see him if you don’t want to. I can ask security to escort him out. We certainly weren’t expecting any guests for you, and you’re not required to have any. I simply thought you’d like the choice either way.”

Karine could feel her lungs collapsing painfully in her chest. The possibilities of danger were endless, and suspected the staff in the facility had never truly known the full scope of her situation. Otherwise, this wouldn’t be happening in the first place.

However, this could be her only chance. To put an end to everything.

If it was Dima and he’d found her, she wasn’t going to be safe here anyway. It was already too late. Or perhaps her father had come to collect on his dues.

Maybe this was her opportunity to put everyone out of their misery.

“Yes, you’re right. I would like to see him ... but not out there with everyone else. Could I have privacy in my room, and see him here? Thank you.”

*

Karine quickly changed out of her pajamas, splashed some cold water on her face, brushed her teeth, and tied her hair up in a tight ponytail after Mrs. Hughes had left her room. She didn’t want to appear weak, even if she felt like exactly that.

She stood at the end of the bed with her hands clasped at her front. Outside the door, she could hear Mrs. Hughes’ voice and footsteps, muffled but getting closer with every passing second.

The harsh knock on the door made Karine stand a little straighter—and then it opened.

She heard the exaggerated sound of air rushing into her lungs and then blowing out through her nose. Mrs. Hughes was smiling up at the taller, older man with broad shoulders. His three-piece suit was cut perfectly to his large form.

Karine wasn’t listening to anything being said. The only thing she could do was stare at the face of her father.

It was him.

Maxim Yazov stepped into the room, peering around as if nothing he saw bothered him, and he was perfectly comfortable in the unknown surroundings. Finally, his gaze rested on her. Karine searched for words to say, her spine ramrod straight, and heart beating against her ribcage wildly. How was a daughter supposed to react to a father who had given her away? A father who had disappointed her—neglected her in every possible way?

Maxim looked at Mrs. Hughes with a charming smile, one Karine recognized from her father. It drew people in, meant for them to think they were safe in the gaze of a predator.