Could she go to him? She had already done that and had been humiliated. She couldn’t chance it again. No, if he wanted anything, he’d have to come to her.
But day after day, nothing changed. Maxim had refused her a moment of his time. He was ‘busy’ apparently. His distance caused a tornado of emotion that was only quelled by eating. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, she had full meals that fed small families. The guilt was quiet for once, and she gave in to every desire, filling up on ice cream, steak, and everything dipped in cheese.‘You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, Morozov. But so were you three months ago.’If Maxim wanted a fat wife, then he was going to get one. She could already see the changes in her breasts, stomach, and cheeks. Would he notice?
Being ignored was something a Morozov never handled well, and his distance had gone on long enough. So, like anyone else in her family, she forced the spotlight on herself.
“What the hell is this?”
Kira stood in the doorway as a large truck approached. She stood smug with her arms crossed, ignoring Maxim, like he had spent the last seven days ignoring her.
He had a phone against his ear. “No, not you. I’ll call you back.” He shoved it in his pocket. “Morozov?”
“Yes, dear?” she mocked.
“When you want attention-” Morozov leaned into her ear and whispered, “Just ask for it.”
She scoffed, her mood dampening. She didn’t want Maxim flirting with her. He did it only to play with emotion, not because he felt anything. He clearly didn’t because how could he kiss her at her door, semi-drunk and irrational, and not try to get in her bed? What man would turn away his wanton wife?
An unfeeling bastard.
The back of the truck slid open, revealing a beautiful white grand piano.
Maxim bristled beside her, and Kira straightened her back, quite proud of herself. “I told you not to use your family’s money.”
“I’m not. This came from my family’shouse. I paid for the truck with my pitiful allowance.”
She had found another loophole. He shouldn’t be surprised. She was too smart for her own good. “I imagine that’s what you get for ‘slumming it.’” He walked away, picking up his cell phone again.
Kira wanted more than his total disregard, and with a rush of anger, she chased after him. “I’m a real idiot for marrying you since I’m so obsessed with money!” The door slammed in her face, and she cursed his existence.
It was only rational that she picked the most intrusive spot for her new instrument: right next to his office door. It was actually the most perfect spot. It had a huge bay window beside it, letting in natural light, with a big white bookcase in front. It had been a preferred reading spot, but her piano looked so much better there. She sat down on the bench and rested her fingertips on the white ivory keys. The peace it brought her only ignited happiness, and the feeling had been so rare these last few weeks that it caused a few tears. Her life had drastically changed, and all the family and connections she had were gone. For so many years, she imagined how freeing it would be to be on her own. And now she wanted nothing more than to sit in her father’s office and smell his cigars.
Kira darted to her room to call Yakov. She grinned when he picked up on the first ring. “Polar bear. Are you alright?”
She wiped a tear from her cheek. “I’m good, Papa. I just missed your voice.”
“I’m sorry I missed our phone call last week. Will you call me at the same time tomorrow? I am very busy.”
Her heart broke a little when she realized he had to go. “Okay.”
“Oh, I heard what happened with that Utkins boy. Your husband impressed me. Tell him to call me later today. I have a job the Utkins can help with and maybe give that boy of theirs some manners.”
“Sure.”
“You are happy, yes?”
“Yes, Papa.”
“Good.”
The line clicked, and Kira sank into her pillow.
Chapter sixteen
Surprise
Kira was digging in the garden when she heard the holler for her name. The sun was blazing on her back as the month got further from spring and headed straight into summer. She grabbed her water bottle and the half-eaten Twinkie before she headed up the front of the house. There was a new car in the doorway, and she eyed it as she climbed the stairs, finishing off her midday snack. In the doorway, she came to a sudden halt.
An Asian woman stood in a tailored purple suit. She had her black hair in a tight bun and turned to Kira with a bright smile. Maxim stood beside her, like they had just been deep in a conversation that ended with her arrival. Kira flicked her eyes between them. “You rang?” she mocked, and Maxim’s brows narrowed in annoyed humor.
