Page 70 of Maddening Fixation

“Do you honestly believe your grandfather and grandmother didn’t know exactly what they were doing when they left you ninety-seven percent of everything they owned?”

My father folded his hands behind his back.

“They were wiser than all of us put together.”

He glanced briefly at my mother and sister before looking back at me.

“Perhaps your grandmother understood that leaving everything directly to me would have torn this family apart. By leaving it to you instead, she also knew it would ultimately benefit me, your mother, and your sister.”

His voice remained calm and measured.

“So don’t concern yourself with your uncles or the rest of the family. They don’t get to dictate what happens in this house.”

He took a step closer.

“Respect is the foundation of this family, Juliet. Your grandparents’ final wishes deserve to be honored.”

His gaze settled firmly on mine.

“Which is why you will marry Romeo Flynn. It’s only for two years. After that, you’re free to divorce him and live whatever life you choose.”

He held my gaze.

“But if you refuse...”

His expression hardened.

“...you will have dishonored the last wishes of the two people who loved you more than anyone else.”

I studied him in silence.

Somehow...

It felt less like he was protecting my grandparents’ legacy and more like he was protecting his own position.

If I accepted the marriage, the inheritance remained within his immediate family.

If I refused, it would be divided among the rest of the Sokolovs, weakening his influence as the newly appointed Capo.

Perhaps I was being unfair.

Or perhaps I wasn’t.

A quiet, humorless laugh escaped me.

“I’m not going to let Grandmother decide the rest of my life from the grave.”

I shook my head.

“Especially when honoring her wishes could destroy this family from within.”

I met his eyes without flinching.

“You’ve just become Capo. The last thing you need is a Bratva filled with angry men waiting for the slightest opportunity to challenge your authority.”

I drew a steady breath.

“And as I told you before...”