Total pages in book: 187
Estimated words: 177397 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 887(@200wpm)___ 710(@250wpm)___ 591(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 177397 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 887(@200wpm)___ 710(@250wpm)___ 591(@300wpm)
My eyes dance between Aleena’s when she adds, “And I’ve forgiven him.”
Now I’m convinced she doesn’t know the whole story, but I lose the chance to tell her when she blindsides me with a shocking revelation.
“It is the right thing to do. I don’t want my child raised without a father being a part of the picture.”
Sheer shock colors my tone. “You’re pregnant?”
I balk when she nods. “It’s early, but I’ve known for a couple of weeks.” As she fans her hand over her stomach, a mothering glint sparks in her eyes. “The timing is a little off, but I truly believe this miracle happened for a reason, and I would like you to respect my decision to give my child the best upbringing I can.”
I hate myself the instant my words leave my mouth, but I can’t stop myself. “His contract was never about love, Aleena. Having his child won’t make him love you.”
“I know,” she replies, nodding. “And that’s okay. I will love the baby enough for both of us.”
“Aleena—”
“This is my decision and my child. I will not have you ruin this for me.” She shoots up to her feet, her footing wobbly. “If you can’t support me, maybe you shouldn’t come to the wedding.” Tears gloss her eyes when she murmurs, “It was bad enough witnessing him fawn over you in the driveway of our home. I won’t tolerate it in front of our family and friends.”
A hundred thoughts roll through my head as she makes a beeline for the elevator, but only one makes it through the deluge. “If you knew about us, why let me be a part of your bachelorette party?”
Her shoulders rise and fall three times before she cranks her neck back to face me. “I was hoping if you saw how much I loved him that you’d walk away. That you would let me win for once.” There’s a hint of deceit in her tone until she says, “That you’d finally let me be free of her.” She doesn’t need to say our mother’s name for me to know who she is referring to. “I need this, Zoya, and if you’ve ever loved me, you will let me have it.” A knife stabs my chest when she whispers, “You will let me have him.”
“Okay,” I murmur in defeat, certain my heart is breaking into too many pieces to ever be placed back together. I am not solely devastated about the pure hurt in her eyes. I’m distraught at the thought of Andrik being a part of my life even with him never actually being mine.
I don’t know if I am strong enough for that, but for my baby sister, I will try.
Aleena softly smiles in gratitude before she recommences her slow stalk down the hall. When she enters the elevator, I assume I am free to release the tears my eyes are struggling to hold back.
I’m horribly mistaken.
Our exchange had a witness, and his verdict is starkly contradicting since he offers the third standpoint all great stories need.
“You can’t let her guilt-trip you into stepping back, especially since I don’t believe her fiancé fathered her unborn child.” Ano locks his eyes with mine before he adds another hair-raising dip in the rollercoaster I’ve been riding for the past several months. “I’m reasonably sure that’s on me.”
64
ANDRIK
The agitation keeping my skin slicked with sweat clears away when I receive a text message.
Anoushka:
Zakhar wanted to say good luck.
Anoushka’s thumb finds its way into almost every photograph, but even with its inclusion, I can’t miss Zak’s big grin in the image she forwarded with her message.
He’s wearing a blue hospital gown, and an ugly hairnet keeps his trademark light-brown locks off his face. He’s trying to portray excitement, as to no doubt Anoushka’s request, but I can tell he is scared.
You’re not the only one, Zak.
Today is the day we were waiting for. Zakhar is about to get a new heart. He’s prepped and ready for surgery in a hospital eight hundred miles from my location. All he needs to get better is for me to say the vows I’ve been dreading all month.
Love, honor, and obey.
Could there be three lesser respected words when it comes to this marriage? Fraudulent, immoral, and corrupt seem far more fitting.
When my father signals that it is time for the wedding to begin, I send Anoushka a message to say I will commence travels to the hospital minutes after I’ve exchanged vows. My helicopter is on the roof of the hotel, waiting for me.
Me:
Don’t let them take him in until I’ve returned.
I hit send before I can tack on the words I refuse to speak: I don’t want to miss out on the opportunity of saying what could possibly be a final goodbye.
There are no guarantees that Zak will survive his operation, but we’re meant to be thinking positively.