Page 76 of Marrying My Ex's Brother
I wait for him to correct her. To say the guest room is his decision. To say the terms we discussed still stand. To say something. Anything.
He does not.
He only looks at Larisa with that same cold expression, and I realize I have no idea what is passing between them.
Something did happen when they left earlier. Something that has made him harder.
Or made him remember that kindness is not useful.
Larisa turns back to me. “You are not a frightened mistress hidden in a side room. You are his wife. The house will know it. The staff will know it. The city will know it.” Her gaze drops to my ring. “Or do you plan to humiliate another Volkov husband by sleeping alone on your wedding night?”
The words hit exactly where she aims them.
My hands curl at my sides. “I humiliated no one who didn’t earn it.”
For the first time, Larisa smiles. It’s not kind. “Good. There may be some use in you after all.”
I hate her.
I hate the way she speaks about me as if I’m furniture being placed in the correct room. I hate that she looks at my marriage and sees performance. I hate that she’s not entirely wrong about the staff, the city, the gossip, the story everyone is already telling about me.
And I hate that Yaromir still has not spoken.
I turn to him. “Do you agree with her?”
His gaze meets mine.
This morning, in his study, he gave me terms. Money. Property. A way out after a year. He told me the door was not locked. He asked questions like my answer mattered.
He was almost kind.
Not gentle. Never that. But honest enough that I mistook it for safety.
Now he stands in the hallway, silent while his aunt decides where I will sleep.
“What happened?” I ask before I can stop myself.
His expression doesn’t change, but his eyes narrow slightly. “What do you mean?”
“You know what I mean.”
Larisa watches us with obvious interest.
I don’t care.
“You brought me terms,” I say. “You told me this marriage would have conditions. You told me I could choose.”
“You did choose.”
“Yes. I chose to marry you. I didn’t choose to be ordered into your bed by your aunt.”
The hallway goes very quiet.
Yaromir looks at Larisa. “Leave us.”
Larisa’s mouth curves faintly. “How newly married of you.”
“Now.”
