Page 19 of Bought By the Ruthless Pakhan

I dug my nails into my palm, head down, avoiding his eyes.

"Sir, I wanted to tell you—I'm planning to leave next week."

"Why?"

Ivan's voice held shock and confusion.

Even the wind outside seemed to stop. Only my heart hammered wildly in my chest.

"I need to get back to school."

Yeah. I had to return to class eventually. For my whole life, studying was the only thing that made me happy. Books and learning were how I survived Gary's cruelty.

Ivan stood. He was moving toward me. I looked up instinctively. His large hand was already cupping my cheek.

I knew this was wrong.

But when his lips pressed down, I surrendered.

I knew I should push him away, but I couldn't. My body craved him.

His hand roamed over my body through my shirt. I gasped. Pleasure shot through me like electricity, pooling in my belly.

I squeezed my legs together. Reason screamed at me.

He had a family. A wife. That sweet daughter. I couldn't—wouldn't—become the homewrecker who destroyed their happiness.

Stop this. Stop now!

I shoved him back. "I-I have to go back to school."

Shock flickered in his eyes, then confusion, but finally he just gripped my shoulders gently. "Not yet. Your father won't stop. He'll come after you again."

But I knew—if I stayed any longer, I'd never leave. That crisp scent of his filled my nose, making me greedy, making me soft. But that scent was also the wind at cliff's edge—one more step and I'd shatter.

I looked down. "But I can't stay here forever."

Ivan went quiet.

But soon, he gave me an answer. "Wait a little longer. When it's safe enough, I'll let you go."

Still so gentle.

I stole a glance at him. His jaw was tight, brow furrowed, eyes churning with emotions I couldn't read.

I bit my lip and slipped out from under his hand. "Thank you."

I turned toward the door.

"Anna."

He stopped me.

He stepped forward, gripping my shoulders again. "Kitten, what's really going on with you?"

Me?

I was fine, actually. Fed, clothed, living in a decent house. If I hadn't learned the truth, I'd probably think these were the happiest days of my life.