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CHAPTER9
ISABEL
Donya and Maryam are waiting for me when I arrive home from Ruslan’s. I can tell by the looks on their faces that they’re angry with me. My gaze lifts to meet Donya and I wince at the sight of her. Her cheek is bruised, and I’m surprised because Azar usually does not leave visible marks.
“Where the hell have you been and do not lie and say themuseum,” Maryam spits.
“Does it matter?” I ask.
They look at one another, then shake their heads once. I refuse to be cordial to them. I do not care what they think about me, how they feel about me. I already know that we will never be friends, no matter what.
“Azar is bringing home a woman tonight. A potential fourth wife and Rostam will be joining us for dinner with both of his wives as well. So, you will be needed to help prepare dinner. The housekeeper has already been here, and the children have been distributed between friends for the evening.”
I don’t give a shit about any of this, except Rostam. I give a shit about him being here. Because he knows too much about my life and I have a feeling his being here isn’t just to meet this elusive potential fourth wife. In fact, I’m kind of scared that he’s going to be here for a whole evening.
“Okay, would you like me to get ready now or after we prepare for dinner?” I ask, ignoring everything else.
Ignoring it all, because I am not going to tell them where I was at, and I don’t give a fuck about a fourth wife. I hope he brings on a fourth wife and leaves me alone for a while. One can hope and dream. I mean, I doubt that’s what he’ll do. He probably will want children with her and to continue to use me as a toy, because that would be my complete luck.
“Prepare first,” Donya announces.
Dipping my chin, I start to walk past them to the kitchen. Donya grabs ahold of my arm, squeezing me and forcing me to stop in my tracks. Looking over at her, I tip my chin down as I look into her eyes.
“Donya?”
She narrows her gaze on me, tilting her head back slightly as she looks up at me. “Behave tonight, Isabel. Be gracious and kind.”
As much as I want to tell her to fuck off, I don’t. Instead, I just dip my chin and then shake my arm away from her grip. Turning my back to the both of them, I make my way into the kitchen. They walk inside shortly after me and start to order me around. I don’t mind, it will keep me busy and keep my mind off of both Ruslan and Rostam.
Since I’m only trusted with cutting and chopping up food, my work in the kitchen doesn’t take long. Slipping out of the kitchen, I set the large formal dining room table for eight. Once the table is set, I decide to go up to my bedroom to dress for dinner.
I know that tonight, comfortable casual clothes will not be acceptable. I look for a dress to wear because semiformal is a necessity when we have any kind of dinner party. I decide that I can’t wear anything overly sexy. I choose a soft peach sleeveless dress that has a low V-cut neckline, but not too low. It’s tight in the bust and waist but flares out into an A-line skirt that floats around my knees.
Slipping my feet into a pair of red high heels, I quickly apply a fresh layer of makeup and curl my hair into beach waves before I make my way downstairs. I have no clue if Maryam and Donya are dressed or not, and I don’t care.
Walking into the living room, I look around and let out a sigh at the emptiness. The downstairs is completely silent, and I take the moment of calm to just breathe. I’m sure that there are things that I can be doing, but I don’t do any of them. I just… enjoy the quiet.
A few moments later, the front door opens, and I watch as Azar makes his way into the foyer. Standing, I walk over to him to greet him, and I watch as he guides a woman beside him. I pause for a moment at the sight of her. My heart hammers against my chest.
She’s beautiful, but that isn’t why I’ve paused. She’s not just beautiful. She’s young, too young. It’s like looking into a mirror from six years ago. Her head is tipped slightly, her hands in front of her as she wrings them together, and her shoulders are slumped.
“This is Ziba,” Azar announces.
My entire body jerks and I suck in a breath, painting on a fake smile as I force myself to walk toward her. I don’t say anything immediately as I approach them. Ziba lifts her head as I stand in front of her. Extending my hand, I wait for her to nervously slip her palm into mine.
“I’m Isabel,” I murmur gently, treating her like the scared animal that she is.
“It’s nice to meet you,” she breathes.
Azar chuckles. “We have much to discuss this evening. Rostam will be joining us. Why don’t you show Ziba around while I talk with the others?”
Dipping my chin, I keep her hand in mine and gently tug her behind me. I want to ask her a million questions, but I don’t. I’m not sure where she comes from, who her parents are, or what she will tell Azar or them later.
So, I show her around the house, then take her out into the backyard and show her my favorite place. The pool and the peaceful grounds. She doesn’t say a single word the entire tour, nothing at all. She’s terrified, she’s young, and I have a feeling she’s completely brainwashed.
RUSLAN
Lifting my hand,I order a vodka from the bartender. He brings it over quickly, leaving the bottle between me and Edmon. Then he thankfully leaves us alone. Clearing my throat, I shift in my seat as I bring my glass to my lips.
