“Then why keep her at arm’s length?”
“I’m not keeping her away,” I lied smoothly. “She wanted space to finish her studies. That was a part of our agreement when we got married. It matters to her. She earned her scholarship without any real support, and I’m not going to be the reason she loses focus.”
That part, at least, was true.
Mariya nodded. “I get that. And I’m glad she has a husband who actually supports her.”
My stomach twisted at her praise and I pushed it aside.
“But listen,” I said, “Sienna’s conservative with how she dresses. Don’t push her into anything she’s not comfortable with, no matter how cute you ladies think it’ll look. Alright?”
“We won’t. We’ll take good care of her.”
Mariya opened her mouth to say something, but hesitated and looked away. The worried look in her eyes was enough to make me press for more information.
“Mariya, what is it?”
She met my eyes directly. “How much do you know about her past?”
My brows drew together tightly. “What are you talking about?”
“When she was sick, she had nightmares. She never fully woke up, but she kept whimpering…begging not to be hit. Saying it wasn’t her fault. Saying her mother wasn’t weak.”
I swore under my breath.
Jasper.
That fucking piece of shit laid hands on her. She’d told me about the verbal abuse, but this?
I wanted him six fucking feet under.
“She told me things were bad between her and her dad,” I said through clenched teeth, “but I didn’t know it got physical.” I glanced at Mariya. “Keep this between us. I don’t want her embarrassed about it.”
“You know I will.”
We rode the rest of the way in silence. A million ways to kill Jasper without Sienna suspecting it was me ran through my mind.
She didn't want her father dead.
But did he fucking deserve to live?
When we pulled up to the house five minutes later, everyone piled out of the cars, the women laughing as they headed inside.
The second we stepped through the door, all conversation died.
“Is something burning?” Vera asked.
I didn’t answer; I was already moving towards the kitchen.
When I entered, Sienna stood frozen against the counter, arms folded, eyes glazed over, steam billowing from a pan on the stove.
I killed the burner in one motion and yanked the windows open to clear the air. Yet, she still didn’t move.
I touched her shoulder gently.
She jerked, eyes snapping back into focus as she looked up at me.
“A-Avit…you’re home….”
