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My brows bunched together. "Two nights ago?"
"Yes, Konstantin said he was here treating you."
Between her honeyed voice and devious grin, something told me she already knew the truth.
"Oh, yes," I said, covering for him. "I was here, we just didn't finish because it hurt too much. I asked if we could pick up another night."
The grin vanished from her flawless face and her eyes dropped. Katja had played me.
"Is that so?" she asked, and I nodded. "Because two nights ago Konstantin was not even in town. In fact, we just got back yesterday afternoon."
I nearly choked as I tried to swallow with a dry throat
. Katja stared me down. The pounding rate of my heart was like a loud drum in my ears. I wasn't sure how I could get out of this one. I needed to remain calm and think of a casual response without muddling up the situation even more.
"Two nights ago? Oh, I thought you said a few nights ago. Or maybe it was last week. I can't remember. The practice hours are long and the days tend to blend together. The brain fog is real with lupus," I added with an airy smile, playing it off. I was a little upset with myself over using that as an excuse. "I never thought it was until recently."
"Ah, yes. Konstantin did tell me about your death sentence a couple of months ago."
I sucked in a quiet gasp and pulled back, hurt that anyone could stoop to such a cruel level. I adjusted the strap on my shoulder and held it a little tighter.
"I don't have a death sentence. I'm fine."
"Well, you will never get better now, will you? Just continue to deteriorate." Her sugary words prickled my skin. She spoke like a know-it-all. "And you will never know if tomorrow you will take a turn for the worse, or three years from now, yes? One day the medicine will not help."
Sadness crept into me like black grease. The small smile I wore slid into a frown. I stared at her, stunned by how she could attack anyone in such a horrible manner. I knew I deserved it a little bit—I was sleeping with her husband after all—but she’d stooped to a level that was off limits regardless. What she’d said was what I had feared the most and what I was trying to work through.
Katja was as heartless as Joy. For a fleeting moment I wondered if Kova knew how mean she really was. Tears threatened to well in my eyes and I swallowed what little saliva I had left. The tightness in my chest was holding me down and I needed to get out. Her words were harsh. She knew that, which was apparent by the satisfied smile on her face and the glistening satisfaction in her eyes.
My jaw quivered, and I knew if I spoke my voice would shake. Instead, I just bobbed my head and flattened my lips, exhaling through my nose. I glanced around his office, my eyes scanning the floor. The awkwardness reached a claustrophobic state and I needed to get out. I'd talk to Kova later, he'd understand. There was no way I could outswim a shark who was chasing the scent of blood. And that's what she was.
There was nothing left for me to say. I knew in my gut she'd come back ten times harder if I did. I couldn't handle that. Not when she went for the jugular.
Turning on my heels, I walked toward the door. Her snicker crawled over my delicate state, but I ignored it, reaching for the knob as the door flew open and Kova walked in.
I froze, anger replacing my heartache. Here he was in all his glory knowing his wife was in here. He’d sent me into the lion's den. I was strong, but I wasn't that strong. We all had our limits.
Troubled eyes scanned my face until he looked over my shoulder. His gaze lowered to slits and the glare he gave Katja said everything.
He had no idea she was here. And he sure as hell wasn't happy to see her.
I glanced at the floor. "I'll see you tomorrow," I said quietly.
I tried to step around him, but he put his hand on the crest of my elbow. "Wait."
My heart dropped. Kova was touching me in front of Katja.
I looked up at him and he dropped his hand. He was trying to convey something through his eyes, and even though I didn't want to listen because I was upset, I gave him a subtle nod.
Stay.
He had no plausible reason for me to stay here instead of his wife. I turned around and crossed my arms in front of my chest. Chewing the inside of my lip, I averted my gaze to the floor. This was uncomfortable.
"Katja." Kova said her name so differently than I did. "When did you get here?"
"A little while ago. I came in through the back entrance."
He placed his hands on his hips. Resentment flowed from him, circling around us.
