Page 25 of Bought By the Ruthless Pakhan

How had I pushed her into this humiliating corner with my own hands?

I stared at her bloodless lips, forcing my voice softer. "I told you, Gary's still looking for you. I'll arrange accommodations. Stay for now. When Gary gives up, I'll let you go."

"Sir," her voice was flat—flat enough to make me panic, "if you doubt me, you should let me leave. It's better for both me and Nadia."

Sir.

She called me sir again.

What happened to "Ivan"? Was she erasing everything between us?

My chest felt like someone was crushing it in their fist. Tighter and tighter, pain turning to pressure, pressure turning to fire.

"What do you want me to do? Take your side without proof? Nadia is my daughter. I have to consider her feelings!"

She was too stubborn.

Stubborn to the point I had no moves left.

Where did I go wrong? Hadn't I protected her enough? Why was she forcing me to choose between her and Nadia?

"I'm not asking you to take my side. I just want you to let me go. And I'm an adult. I can take care of myself."

"How?" The words were out before I could stop them. "If you could take care of yourself, you wouldn't have ended up being bought by me in the first place!"

Anna finally looked up at me.

Her lips moved like she had so much to say. Then they pressed into a line. Nothing came out.

Those eyes that always held such softness—they went cold. Bit by bit.

Not angry.

Not hurt.

Cold. Completely, utterly cold.

My throat worked. I wanted to swallow those words back. But they'd already left. Already hit her. Shattered on the ground.

"I understand," she said.

Then she brushed past me, her hem grazing my arm. So light. Leaving nothing behind.

Her footsteps echoed up the stairs. One after another. Not fast, but each one landed on the thinnest part of my heart, making it ache.

"Fuck."

I cursed under my breath. Cursed myself.

What the hell was wrong with me? I didn't agree with Victoria's bullshit, but I was the one who ended up hurting Anna with it.

I'd never treated Anna like merchandise.

She was so soft. So precious.

I was screwed.

Maybe I should respect what she wanted and let her go back to school.