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I cried for my aching arm and not knowing how the heck I was going to manag
e when it felt broken.
I cried for the baby I would never meet and the cramps that were eating me alive in its memory.
I cried for all of the hurt I’d caused Dad and for making him feel like he failed as a parent.
And lastly, I cried for my future, for what could've been, but would never be.
Seven
Dad opened the door to my condo. I held my breath as I slowly stepped inside with Sophia following behind me.
I hadn't been here in three days and I was a little afraid of what I would walk in and see. Would there be broken glass? Blood? Furniture that had been turned over?
I glanced around the space, unprepared for what I saw. My condo looked perfect. It was like World War III hadn’t happened here just days ago.
"Your dad and I came by yesterday to clean up for you," Sophia said a little hesitant.
She seemed nervous and I wished she wasn't. That desire to be a mother was evident in her eyes and by the way she spoke to me, but she held back. I had a feeling she was worried about overstepping, but, truthfully, I could use a mother right now.
Glancing over my shoulder, I looked at both of them. Sophia seemed hopeful with the way her large round eyes watched me. Dad, well, he just looked sick and torn.
"It was Sophia's idea," Dad added grimly.
"Thank you," I said, my voice quiet.
All the broken glass was gone. There was a new decorative rug on the floor, but the coffee table was missing. I vaguely remembered hearing the wood splinter when I fell on it and felt a pinch on the back of my arm from the shattered glass.
My pace was small and slow as I walked across the carpet. My stomach had been cramping and any sudden movement seemed to make it worse. I'd had some painful periods in the past, but nothing like this. I wanted to bend over and hold myself, and pray it went away soon.
Instead, I sucked it up.
I walked into my room and came to a halt when I looked at the bed and rumpled sheets. Emotions clogged my throat. The sadness that rocked through me filled me with an immediate heartbreak I wasn't prepared for. My heart actually felt like it was being ripped down the middle.
This was the last place Kova and I had been right after he'd found out about the pregnancy.
I could still feel his strong arms around me, smell his cinnamon and tobacco scent in the air when he told me how he felt about me being pregnant. How he asked me to tell him that I loved him, and I wouldn't. I should have. I wished I had. He was my light when my world had been so dark, and now he was gone before I could really tell him how I felt. He deserved to know, and if we ever got the chance to be alone again, I'd tell him.
Thick tears brimmed my eyes, but I pushed them back. Everything was still so raw. I didn't want to cry in front of Dad because that would open the door for questions he couldn't handle the answers to.
"I don't agree with this," Dad said as he came up behind me. I swallowed thickly before turning around to face him. "In fact, I don't like it at all. I'd rather you come home so I can watch over you closely."
I had thought Dad agreeing to let me return to my condo was a sick joke until we’d pulled into Coral Cove.
Dad placed a hand on my shoulder and I had the strong urge to lean into him. Instead, I bit my lip and drew in a breath through my nose. I was so angry at him for having Kova arrested and letting me think it was for something other than assault. He still hadn’t come clean, and he’d said Kova was still in jail. Was that another lie?
"I don't want to ruin your gymnastics career," Dad continued, his voice ragged with guilt. "I don't want to be the one who took that from you." His jaw locked tight. "Your safety is my main priority, and that was jeopardized by someone I put faith and trust in to watch over you."
I waited for him to collect his thoughts. He was never going to believe that I’d played a huge part in mine and Kova’s relationship. I had so much I wanted to say but felt I should stay quiet.
"This was an extremely difficult decision to make, and not one I'm entirely sure is a good idea. I don't want to lose you, Adrianna. You're my only daughter. I just want what's best for you, but this whole thing has sickened me and brought me to a point I can't seem to come back from. I'll never forgive Konstantin for what he did." I opened my mouth to speak but Dad put his hand up to stop me. "Regardless of what happened or how you feel, he knew better." He gave me a pointed look. "You don't love him, Adrianna. You're infatuated with him because he's been to the Olympics and has the connections to get you there. That's all it is. He played on that."
My jaw dropped and my eyes widened.
"Are you suggesting I slept with my coach to move up higher in rank?" My brows creased when he didn't answer me. "That's insane to even fathom, not to mention literally impossible. You can't fake it to make it in sports. You can’t sleep your way up the chain, especially in the Olympics. In your world of business and money, yes, but not in mine."
He shook his head, disappointment weighed heavily in his eyes.
