My father stares at him for a long moment. "I'm pretty sure you didn't write that yourself. That cold heart of yours is incapable of pleading on anybody's behalf."
"Actually, my wife helped me write it," Ilay says. "But all the same, if it's coming from her, then you definitely know it's sincere."
"I don't want any of your sincerity." My father's voice is ice. "You kidnapped my daughter. You put this family through hell. We didn't know where she was, if she was alive or dead, all to satisfy your petty obsession. For God's sake, have a little dignity. You have the audacity to come here and ask for my blessing? That is never going to happen."
"I don't really care if we get your blessing or not," Ilay replies. "I'm still going to marry your daughter. She already said yes. What are you going to do? Rip the ring out of her finger?"
My father's hands clench into fists. "I am planning on that. And also ending your life at this table."
I reach for the mashed potatoes, serving myself. Good. Everyone's getting their emotions out. This is actually going fine.
I eat slowly. The potatoes are creamy. The vegetables are seasoned well. My stomach is so hungry.
"You think you can just waltz in here—" my father is saying.
"I think I can do whatever I want," Ilay cuts him off.
Kirill leans forward. "You're a dead man."
"Get in line."
I eat another bite. Another. The argument continues but I'm focused on the food. I've been eyeing the steak this entire time. It looks perfect. Well-cooked, just how I like it.
I reach for my knife and fork, cutting into it. The meat separates easily. I put a piece in my mouth and chew.
The taste hits my tongue and my stomach revolts immediately.
The room tilts. I reach for my water glass but my hands are shaking, dizzy, and the glass tips over. Water spills across the table.
Ilay stops mid-sentence and turns to me. "What's wrong? Are you okay?"
"I think I need to—"
I lurch forward and vomit the steak onto the dining table.
The entire table goes silent.
My vision blurs. The room spins faster.
Then everything goes black.
Chapter 48
????
ILAY
Kirill and Roman carry Iris to one of the sitting rooms and lay her on the couch. The family doctor kneels beside her, checking her pulse, lifting her eyelids. I'm standing over them both with my fists clenched so tight my knuckles are white.
"Can everybody please calm down?" the doctor says without looking up.
"How dare you tell us to calm down at this moment?" I snap.
Radimir points at me from across the room. "This is all your fault. I knew you weren't feeding her properly. Look at her. Look at the way she turned out. She's lost weight."
"She's actually gained weight, mind you, than when she was living with you."
His face turns red. "So, you want to argue about her weight now? Are you calling my daughter fat?"
