Kira avoided Maxim’s gaze. She looked everywhere else but at him. The panic was increasing with every passing second. She had passed out before, years ago, when she didn’t know such a thing could happen. It lasted for a couple of seconds, and no one saw. “Sure.” She didn’t want to answer any freaking questions, but she put on a sweet smile and complied.
“Have you eaten today?”
She giggled. “Well, I was about to, but I got into a little argument. I must have just been upset. But I’m okay. Look, give me something to eat and I’ll eat right in front of you.”
“Do you have any health issues we should know about?”
Kira sighed. “No, of course not. I’m very healthy. I work out every day. This is nothing, and I’m so sorry you all were worried, but I’m fine.”
Maxim was done. “Get out.” He went to the door and held it wide open. Lydia darted through without a fight, but Rutner didn’t move.
“Sir, I advise you–”
“Get out,” he ordered again, and with aggravation, the doctor grabbed his bag and moved to the door.
Rutner leaned in and whispered, “She isn’t a gangster, Max. Interrogation methods aren’t going to work.”
Maxim closed the door, but didn’t move. He stared at the ground if only to push down the venom in his voice. “Why are you still lying?”
Kira scoffed, slapping the blanket. “I’m not.”
His brows knit. Over the past few days, he had gotten used to the sound of her voice. The diction, the tone, and the volume never changed, even when she was upset. But this, the sound of it now, was full of desperation, and it was unlike anything he had ever heard. It could mean shewas,in fact, lying. And if this new sound was the sound of a liar, then what had she been doing up till this point?
She couldn’t have possibly told the truth.She’s just panicked. That’s the reason it sounds different.
Kira swallowed harshly. She was nearly panting, sitting here, staring at him, begging him to believe her. A fast list rotated in her head as she thought of every excuse she’s used over the last ten years. Maxim was new to this and didn’t know her history; she should be able to say anything and get away with it. As long as he didn’t talk to anyone in her family and connect the dots, but why would he? He didn’t care.
He won’t find out.
Kira pushed herself into a sitting position, determined to look stronger. The IV did help, and she felt amazing for the first time in a long time. She felt well-rested and clear-headed. There was never a time she was able to use IV treatment without someoneknowing, but she could get used to this. All the benefits of not eating without the fallout.
“I apologize,” she began, trying to gain some control over this situation. “I didn’t mean to be an inconvenience.”
He chuckled, more dejected than mirthful. “All you are to me, Morozov, is an inconvenience.”
She sighed. “That’s great to know. I’m fine now. I thought you were leaving.”
Maxim leaned back against the wall. “I am not your father. I am not your siblings. And though I am not even your friend, I am your husband. So are you ready to be honest with me?”
“I have–”
“Are you ready to be honest?”
Kira clenched the blanket and swallowed. She nodded once.
“Do you have an eating disorder?”
The words were ice water poured on her head. “What? No–”
Maxim smashed a fist into the door. “Stop lying!”
She bowed her head and swallowed. “I just have trouble with my weight. It’s not a big deal.”
He stared at her for a long moment, making her fidget under his gaze. “No one knows, do they?”
She cackled, rubbing a stupid tear off her cheek as she looked up. “There’s nothing to know. Please don’t make a big deal about this. It was an accident–”
“Here I am expecting honesty, but how can you be honest with me when you are lying to yourself?”
