"The man I loved," I looked into his shocked eyes, using the last of my strength to speak each word clearly, "he died tonight."
I turned and walked away. I could feel his gaze following me, but I didn't look back. I heard footsteps behind me, voices, commotion from the guests. But none of it mattered to me anymore. My world had completely collapsed on this Christmas night.
Chapter Six
Elena
I didn't know where I was going, just ran on instinct. My tears had dried up, and I was shivering from the cold.
I don't know how long I'd been running when suddenly blinding headlights cut through the darkness ahead. I threw my arm up to shield my eyes. A black sedan screeched to a halt right in front of me. The door flew open, and a familiar figure rushed out.
"Elena?"
Through my blurred vision, I saw that face filled with panic and shock. It was Marco.
"Christ, it really is you!" He rushed over, pure worry in his eyes. "What happened?"
The moment I saw him, I collapsed into his arms.
"I... he lied to me..." I sobbed, clutching desperately at his coat.
"It's okay, I'm here, Elena. It's okay." Marco held me tight, his embrace solid and warm. He stroked my back over and over, awkwardly trying to comfort me. "Let's get in the car first. Damn, it's freezing out here. You can tell me what happened once we're inside."
He pulled off his cashmere coat and wrapped it around my thin hotel uniform without asking, then half-carried me into the car.
The heater was blasting, and the warm air enveloped me instantly. I felt a little better.
"How... Why are you here?" I finally found my voice.
"I landed today and went to see my grandmother first, then figured I'd at least see you once over Christmas. Your phone kept going to voicemail, so I went to your hotel. Your coworker Susan told me you'd gone to deliver wine to the Royal Hotel and gave me the address. I was driving over when I found you here." He paused, then asked carefully, "So what the hell happened? Who lied to you? Your boyfriend? That Russian?"
I nodded. He still remembered what I'd told him online six months ago—that I had a boyfriend, a Russian guy, and we were happy together. He'd gone quiet for a long time before replying, "As long as you're happy."
I told him everything that had happened tonight.
After I finished, Marco slammed his fist into the steering wheel.
"Fuck!" he growled, veins bulging in his neck. "I knew that bastard was trouble. I should've seen this coming!"
"I'm such an idiot, Marco." My voice was hoarse. "Six whole months, and I never suspected a thing. He was with me while planning his wedding to someone else."
"This isn't your fault, Elena." Marco's tone softened as he covered my hand with his. "That bastard's just a good actor. You're too good, you just... You trusted him too much."
Yeah, I trusted him too much. I gave him my first kiss, my virginity, all my love—to this fraud.
"He said he wanted to have an affair with me. Then compensate me with an Upper East Side apartment and a trust fund." I told him about Igor's final offer. "What does he think I am? Some gold-digger who just wants to cling to married men?"
"That son of a bitch! Who does he think he is? Just wait, Elena. I'll make him pay."
"How, Marco?" I cut him off. "He's Igor Vorontsov. He throws engagement banquets in massive estates. He has power and money, and we have nothing. I just want to get away fromhim. That's enough. After all, in his eyes, I was just a toy he could buy from the start."
"Don't talk about yourself like that." Marco's voice was firm. "You deserve the best, Elena."
"I used to believe that too. Then I thought I'd found someone I could depend on for life. Turns out it was all a lie."
Marco fell silent. After a long pause, he spoke again, his voice unnaturally calm.
"Come with me, Elena."
