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Every time I close my eyes, my mind tortures me. I keep reliving last night, the rough hands grabbing me in the restaurant bathroom, the terror of being dragged away. I imagine all the horrible things that could have happened if Andrei hadn’t gotten to me in time. Then my brain flips to tonight and shows me every worst-case scenario: Andrei bleeding out somewhere, bullets tearing through him, him never coming home.
Tears burn behind my eyes. My chest starts tightening, heart racing so fast I can feel it in my throat. I inhale deeply, trying to steady myself.
It’s just thoughts. They’re not real. Andrei will come back to us. He promised.
I throw the covers off and get out of bed. I’m still wearing his shirt, the sleeves swallowing my hands.
I head downstairs to the kitchen. The house is eerily quiet, the staff have all retired to their quarters. I open the cupboard where Daria keeps the teas and pull out a chamomile. Maybe it’ll calm my nerves.
While the water boils, I scroll mindlessly through social media on my phone. A message request pops up. Sharon. I don’t even open it. I block her immediately. She and her sister have been trying to reach me since the boutique incident, asking for forgiveness. Claiming we are family.
The kettle whistles. I pour the hot water over the tea bag, watching the liquid turn golden. I’m stirring in a little honey when I hear movement coming from the living room.
My heart leaps.
“Andrei?” I call out softly, a smile already forming. “You’re back?”
I walk out of the kitchen, still holding the mug. But it’s not Andrei. Luke is standing in the middle of the living room, hands in his pockets, watching me with a cold, twisted smile.
All the hair on my body stands on end. Fear shoots through me like ice water. “Luke?” My voice comes out shaky. “What are you doing here? How did you get in?”
He sneers, taking a slow step forward. “Miss me, Rosie darling?”
I take several cautious steps back, my pulse hammering. “You need to leave. Right now. Before my husband gets back.”
He doesn’t look worried at all. Instead, a slow, ugly smile spreads across his face. I keep backing away, heart pounding so hard I feel dizzy.
“What a fool you are,” he laughs softly. “Thinking your husband is going to come save you. He can’t save you anymore, Rosie. Not if he isn’t already dead.”
My heart stutters violently in my chest. “What are you talking about?” My voice cracks. “What did you do, Luke?”
He shrugs, like we’re discussing the weather. “Andrei had it coming. He got what he deserved.”
I gasp, horror flooding through me. “You sick bastard! What did you do?! Tell me what you did!”
Luke’s eyes darken with something unhinged. “I’m here to take what’s rightfully mine. You.”
I stumble back, nearly dropping the mug. “I’m not yours.”
“Oh, but you are,” he says, voice turning sickly sweet. “Have you forgotten? We used to be so happy together. We were perfect.”
“Until you cheated on me with my stepsister.”
His face twists with anger. “That was a mistake! A stupid fucking mistake I’ve spent the last four years paying for!” His voice rises. “Why won’t you just forgive me? We were made for each other, Rosie!”
I shake my head fiercely. “No. In case you’ve forgotten, I’m married to your uncle.”
Luke’s smile returns, cold and delusional. “I’ll forgive you for that.”
I glance desperately around the room, looking for any sign of the guards. My mouth opens, ready to scream for help.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Luke warns, his tone turning dangerous. “There’s no one coming to help you. I already took them all out.”
I gasp, looking around, there’s no one here to help me. I try to reason with him, my voice shaking. “Luke… why are you doing this? Please, just leave.”
“Because I love you,” he says, stepping even closer. “You’re supposed to be with me. Not him! You belong to me, Rosie. I know you’re only with Andrei to get back at me for marrying Sharon. But I’m not with her anymore. Game over. It’s time for us to be together again.”
I shake my head frantically, backing away until my back hits the kitchen counter.
