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I shake my head. “I will never cheat on Paige.”
“Is that so?” Zhanna presses her lips together and stares at me with icy disapproval. “I know about Talia, and the rumors that have taken flight.”
“She’s pregnant.” My anger simmers. “I know the gossip too. But the child is not mine.”
Zhanna freezes in place as she takes it in, and maybe I should’ve kept my mouth shut, but I’d do anything to win Paige back.
I continue, telling this woman all I know. “Talia had nothing to do with the cop’s death, and she promises to leave.”
Zhanna is less composed than when we started, brushing a loose strand off her face. “Talia was different before she wanted you.”
I shake my head; I’m not here to discuss Talia. “I don’t remember a time when she was different,” I reply.
“I do,” Zhanna whispers, staring into nothingness as if looking back into the past. “She was a sweet girl, affectionate and curious. But there was something missing from her life: attention. Her parents were so busy with balancing their allegiance that they only paid attention to her when a Barinov was mentioned.
“She changed to get that attention,” Zhanna continues. “You never noticed. And why would you? You were Vasily’s son who was destined to wear a crown upon your head since the moment you sprang into existence in Eva’s womb. You didn’t indulge in the gossip of girls. Boys rarely do at that age. You never saw how Talia erased herself to be more like you, in the hopes of catching your eyes so that she too, might receive a crown of her own.”
I sit there, wanting to say something back. But I know there is no arguing with Zhanna. She’s not telling me her opinions, but facts.
Facts that I had been too blind to see.
“And just like Talia,” she continues. “You also wanted approval but from someone else.”
Father.
I whisper as I remember too. “I never wanted to be like him.”
“And yet, Andrei Vasilyevich.” Zhanna narrows her gaze. “You fought for his approval. And every time you did so, you broke another piece of your mother’s heart. Now, your deeds have overshadowed your father. Whose approval are you fighting for now?”
“That’s not …” I stop in my tracks and look at her in realization.Paige.
Zhanna shakes her head, reading my mind. “Paige won’t approve of this.”
I stand abruptly and argue. “I told Paige I would protect her.”
The dogs at her feet growl and begin to pace the room. Eyeing them, I sit back down. “I think I’ll take that drink after all.”
“Royal Dragon?”
I lower my gaze. “The cheap stuff. I’m sure your men hide some out in the garage.”
Zhanna smiles. “You’re not your father, Andrei. Your father would never have done this for your mother. But how would you have known what to do with only his example to follow?”
“Was it spite?” I raise my head. “Did you tell Paige to leave me?”
Zhanna is silent as her man comes into the room, and he’s sent away to get us our drinks. Posed like a modern statue by Henry Moore, she waits until the door catches to speak.
“I did,” she starts. “But not for the reason you think, Andrei Vasilyevich. I didn’t tell her to run, but I showed her how.”
“Why?”
Zhanna looks away for a moment and when she looks back, I see tears brimming at the corners of her eyes.
“Atonement,” she replies. “A long time ago, your mother came to me for help.”
I sit forward on my chair. “Help with what?” I ask, even though I know what the answer is. I want to hear Zhanna say it.
“To leave Vasily,” she replies. “She came to me, pregnant and scared, begging me for a way out.” She closes her eyes. “And I said no.Bozhe moi, I said no to her when I canseethe bruises she hides under her long sleeves.
