"You saw her ambush me in a hallway. You saw me pull away." His eyes were intense. "You didn't see me spend the next three hours trying to find you. Didn't see me panic thinking you'd left for good."
My throat tightened. "Why didn't you tell me? About Mila. About being engaged."
"Because," he stopped. "I wanted to keep that part of my life separate. Because bringing you into it felt like making this real."
"This was always real."
"Not like that." He looked at me. "Katrina, what we have, it's not just the contract anymore. You know that, right?"
"Do I?" I forced myself to meet his eyes. "Because from where I'm standing, you have a daughter and an ex who want you back. And I'm just the maid you're fucking for ninety days."
"That's not …"
"I think we should end this." The words came out steadily despite the way my hands shook. "The arrangement. We still have about a month and a half, but I'll work on paying you all the money back. I can set up a payment plan …"
"No."
"It's not up for negotiation. This was a mistake. We both knew it would end, eventually. Might as well end it now before …"
"Before what?" He grabbed my arms. "Before you admit you feel something? Before you let yourself feel something."
I jerked away. "Please don't touch me."
"Katrina."
"No.” I tried to blink back the tears, but it only made them come faster. I wiped them from my eyes quickly. “I need to move my things. Get the family quarters ready." I headed for the door. "Thank you for letting Zara stay. I'll make sure she doesn't disturb you or your guests, and I’ll stay out of your way. Thank you, Olek."
"Katrina, wait …"
I walked out before he could finish. Before I could break down. Before I could take back every word and beg him to hold me.
The family quarters was bigger than I expected. Two bedrooms, a living area, a bathroom with an actual tub. It would be perfect for Zara. I threw myself into preparing it. Changed sheets. Scrubbed surfaces. Hung curtains. Anything to keep my hands busy and my mind off Olek.
Elena found me around three. "Mikhail's leaving to pick up your sister. He needs the address."
I gave it to her, along with detailed instructions about Zara's stuffed rabbit and her favorite snacks and how she didn't like loud noises. She was autistic and very specific about things. I’dalready talked to Shanice, and she was going to take care of the rest of the particulars.
"She'll be fine," Elena assured me. "And it'll be nice having a kid around for Christmas. The place feels more festive already."
Festive. Right.
The mansion was decorated within an inch of its life, garlands on every banister, wreaths on every door, a massive tree in the foyer dripping with ornaments. Red and gold everywhere. The scent of pine and cinnamon. Not to mention the other Christmas trees that were scattered around the property just as beautifully decorated.
It should have felt magical. It just felt hollow. I went back to work, helping set up for tonight's dinner. The dining room needed to be perfect—Olek was particular about his Christmas celebrations. I was arranging poinsettias when he walked in.
"Katrina …"
I moved to the other side of the table, not looking at him. "The silverware needs polishing. I'll get Elena on it."
"Look at me."
"I'm working."
"We need to talk."
"There's nothing to talk about." I adjusted a candlestick. "The arrangement is over. You're welcome to find someone else for the remaining days."
"I don't want someone else."
