Page 48 of Suit

He is my husband.

Mine.

And he’s about to be the father of my child.

Suit studies her, but doesn’t say anything. Doesn’t shut her down. He gives nothing away, keeping a blank mask on his face.

“You know four men have asked my father for my hand in marriage. How many proposals have you had again, Elena?” she adds, smirking.

None. I’ve had none.

Then again, I mostly keep to myself and only attend family events when I have to.

Again, Suit stays quiet.

But the temperature in the room drops.

“Leave your sister alone, Katerina,” my father murmurs with no heat. “You know Elena has been very useful to our family.”

Useful. What every daughter wants to be.

Katerina turns her eyes to Suit, biting her lower lip. She then boldly reaches over and touches his hand, stroking up to his wrist and back. His eyes snap down to the movement, but he doesn’t move her hand away. There’s suddenly a heavy pressure on my chest. I feel sick, and it has nothing to do with my pregnancy.

“I want to apologize for what happened at the wedding.”

Suit’s gray eyes flicker to me, and then back to her. “And where is your husband, Katerina? I was told you ran off with some man, which is why Elena stepped in for the alliance.”

Katerina’s face pales, and she looks to our father, who clears his throat.

Her hand is still touching him.

“Katerina eloped, but she came home, and the marriage was annulled,” he explains, studying Suit with a thoughtful expression. “That’s why I wanted to speak to you both tonight. I promised you Katerina, and we all think it would be best if Katerina and Elena swapped places. You can marry Katerina and have the marriage with Elena annulled.”

My eyes widen. I have to admit, out of all the things I thought tonight would be about, this is not it.

My stomach fills with dread. They want to keep me here and send Katerina back with Suit.

My father turns to me, and his eyes soften a little. “Elena, you can come back here. I know you prefer to be at home. And you can go back to helping us with our businesses. It works out best for everyone.”

Yeah. Everyone except me.

“What do you think, Suit? I know you originally wanted Katerina, and we all agreed she was a better match for you. I’m sure Elena would be happy to have the marriage annulled. I know she didn’t want to get married anyway,” my father continues, like he’s doing me a favor. “You’d do this for your sister, right?” He nods like it’s a given.

I’ve never felt more like a pawn on a chessboard in my life.

No one has asked me what I want.

No one cares.

Katerina pulls her dress down lower. Any lower and we will all be seeing her nipples. “What do you think? I can come back with you tonight. I’ve already packed a bag.”

Like it’s a given.

Because who would want me, right? Who would choose me over her?

“Elena, when you move back, you can’t wear clothing like that anymore,” my mother adds, frowning. “I don’t know how Suit allowed you to wear pants so tight. It’s not very flattering.”

Okay, I’ve had enough.