The air leaves my lungs.
He knew.
Shock holds my body frozen, but my mind is racing.
All this time, he knew.
My stomach twists violently. I have to wrap my arms around myself to keep from doubling over.
The kisses we traded, the nights spent tangled in each other’s arms—every memory comes back tainted.
None of it was an accident. It wasn’t fate, or the fragile miracle I let myself believe in. It was strategy. A calculated move in a Bratva game.
None of it wasreal.
I feel betrayed. Hollow.
I gave Petyr everything. Body and soul. My happiness, my laughter, even the stupid quirks I never shared with anyone because I never let people close enough to see them.
I agonized over the lies I was telling him every day. I felt like I was the villain. And the whole time, he was ready to hold the truth over me.
I want to rage at him and demand why he even bothered pretending. But all that comes out my throat is silence.
My pulse is pounding in my ears. Every second that ticks by makes me feel smaller, more foolish, more exposed.
And I realize, finally, what a stupid little girl I’ve been.
59
PETYR
I should have known better.
No—Ididknow better.
I knew she was a Danilo. That she was a liar, not to be trusted. And I still let her soft looks and sweet little laughs dig under my skin until I started actuallybelievingher act.
Like a fucking idiot.
She’s staring at me now, her doe eyes wide, her voice small. “You… you knew?”
“Of course I fucking knew.” I force a smile, the jagged edges unfamiliar. A sharp, cruel thing.
But Sima will never believe I hate her unless I sell it, and she’s already proven herself a far better actress than me. If I want her to believe me, I need to put on a grade-A performance.
I need to become a monster.
“Why do you think I called your name at the altar?” I ask, mocking. “I could have waited around until some useless cousin dragged Sidorov’s daughter back to me kicking and screaming. Could have gotten myself a wife that way. No need to lift a finger. But you’d fallen into my lap, and you were far more useful than Polina.” I bare my teeth. “Then I called you up, and I didn’t even have to drag you. You walked. On your own two feet. Straight to me. Just like I wanted.”
Her lips part like I’ve slapped her. For a second, something tightens in my chest, but I shove it down hard. I can’t afford softness now. Softness is what got me in this.
And only ruthlessness is going to get me out of it.
My father knew this. It’s why he taught me so well. Time to put his teachings to use.
“What? No answer?” I take another step, watch her inch back. I should feel powerful, but somehow, all I feel is sick with myself. “Guess you’re not as good off-script, after all.”
When Sima finally finds her voice again, it wavers. “You can’t mean that.”
