Page 107 of Queen’s Gambit

“Would it kill you to smile,” Christov growled at me. I blinked and looked up at him before realizing we were outside for pictures.

“If you wanted smiles, you should’ve married someone who liked you. Since I don’t, this is what you get. I’m only here because my father is forcing me to be,” I whispered with a vicious edge.

“Is this how it’s always going to be?”

“If you have to ask that question, then you’re stupider than you look,” I said.

Tired of this whole affair, I started to march away, but he grabbed my arm and jerked me back.

“Let go of me,” I snarled and yanked my arm out of his hold. He looked around at the group of people watching us. “Don’t ever do that again.”

“You need to learn manners,” he snarled quietly.

“You need to die and rot in hell, but neither of us is going to get our wish, at least not today.”

His face turned a violent shade of red when I walked away. I passed my father and shot daggers at him with my eyes. My mother followed me along with Vlad and Mylo. Once I was far enough away, I stopped behind a tree and nearly collapsed. Mom grabbed me and held me tight, my body trembling as I fought back the tears.

“My sweet girl. I’m so sorry,” she whispered, rubbing my back. “I know you want to throw your gloves off and go rounds with this man, but darling, you can’t do that.”

“It’s so hard. I hate him.”

“You’ve come this far, you can’t give up now. Do this for your baby. If he gets violent, you could miscarry. Try not to stress. I know it’s hard, but just relax and focus on you and your child. That’s all that matters.”

“Okay,” I said, but that one word had never felt so difficult to say.

Swallowing every bit of pride I possessed, I laid my hand over my stomach and took a deep, steadying breath. I could do this. I could do this. Stepping away from the tree, I walked back to Christov and slapped a fake smile on my face.

“Glad to see someone can talk sense into you,” he muttered under his breath. I didn’t acknowledge that he said a word.

Dinner and speeches were a blur, but at least Christov had stopped trying to order me around. We danced what was expected of us, but when it came to the father-daughter dance, I walked off and refused to return. Instead, I found Nathaniel and took his hand.

His little face lit up as he wiggled his butt and showed off the new moves he’d learned since last year. My heart was full watching my baby cousin. Nathaniel was the reason that I could breathe in this stuffy room with the too-tight dress and all eyes on me.

Eight months from now, I’d have my baby, and that was what mattered. Eddie was convinced we were having a girl and wanted to call her Lilya. I loved the name.

Two hours later, Christov and I said our goodbyes. We were whisked away in a limo to a hotel. My guards followed us up to the room, and I could tell Vlad wanted to be inside. I shook my head, no, and they took up position in the hallway.

“You have very dedicated guards,” Christov commented as he closed the door in their faces.

“They were trained well by my father before they were assigned to me.”

“We won’t need them when you move into my house,” Christov said.

“Maybe not, but I’m bringing them with me, or I’m not coming at all,” I said as we walked into the bedroom.

“You think you’re so smart.”

Like a snake striking, Christov grabbed me by the neck and smacked me so hard across the face that I saw stars. Then, my head snapped to the side when he backhanded me immediately after.

“You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for this moment,” he growled.

I wanted to fight back, but my mother’s words were loud in my ringing ears, reminding me of what I had to lose. Biting my tongue, I kept quiet as he slapped me hard enough to make my teeth rattle. My eyes watered, but I made no noise.

Christov fisted my hair and dragged me over to the bed, forcing me face down on the mattress. He didn’t even bother to take my dress off as he pulled down his zipper. I closed my eyes and prayed for this to be over, shutting out everything else.

One day, I will be free. One day, I will be free.

Edmundo