Russie didn’t tell me it was an actual brick manor!
The manor was beautiful and stately. The pitched roof was a dark contrast to the color of the building, while the white doors and exterior window ledges were bright. I was so busy staring at the house that I didn’t notice the car had stopped until I heard Konstantin open the door and step out.
I was pulling my jacket closer to myself and was about to open the door on my side when he opened it for me.
“Thanks,” I said, my voice soft.
He responded with a nod before shutting the door again.
I couldn’t help but look around at the beautiful greenery around the house as we walked to the front entrance together.
He opened the door and gestured for me to go in before him.
Just as I stepped in, I heard someone say, “Finally.”
“Liza?!” I squealed without thinking as my eyes landed on her.
She threw her arms around me, and I hugged her back.
She was in a red dress, and her bob was as sleek as ever.
“I’ve missed you so much,” she revealed, grinning as she released me from the hug, still holding my arms. “I’m so happy you’re now a part of the family!”
“I’ve missed you, too,” I told her.
My gaze fell on Konstantin, who was staring at us from the doorway, and the ease I felt seemed to float away. It didn’t matter that I’d been reunited with Liza and her adorable baby; I was still married to Konstantin, the man who killed Siroc and scarred me for life.
“Did you hear me at all?” Liza asked, bringing me back to the present.
“Sorry,” I apologized, chuckling.
“Let’s go meet Mitya,” she uttered, pulling me towards a car seat on the couch in the living room.
“Oh, my God,” I practically squealed, almost tearing up. “ I wish I could carry her, but I can’t disturb her sleep. She’s so big. It’s been so long.”
“You can say that. Feels like she’s sucking me dry most days,” Liza uttered, sitting on the next couch as I gazed at the baby. The baby I delivered just a year ago.
“Same thing you said the last time I saw you,” Konstantin replied from the foot of the stairs.
“And is it untrue?” she joked “Hello to you, too, by the way.”
Chuckling, he went up the stairs.
Liza caught me looking around the interior of the manor.
“Gorgeous, isn’t it?
“I still remember the one time I was here. I asked him how he could leave this beauty for anywhere else in the world.”
“You've only been here once?” I asked, sitting beside her on the two-seater couch.
“Yes,” she revealed. “He's never around, you know.”
“I thought he was based in Manhattan.”
“He is. But Konstantin is always out and about. Even when he's here in Manhattan, he’s not always present. He could hole up for weeks,” she revealed, giggling. Then she pulled me into another hug. “It's so good to have you here. And with the iconic Konstantin at that.”
I sighed.
