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But he said he doesn’t love you.

But he doesn’t hate me either, I argue with the voice in my head.

He’ll come to hate you, look at him he’s already angry. He’s upset because of you.

It’s your fault, Elara. Your fault.

“Answer me, Elara.” Stop calling me Elara.

I grit my jaw, my fingers clenching and unclenching with helplessness.

“I’m here, aren’t I?” I mumble still staring at my feet. “Look in my eyes when you’re talking to me!” He almost

growls, unapologetic as ever and I immediately follow.

My green eyes meet his brown ones, and he’s fuming, his rage simmering beneath the surface.

His arms are folded across his chest, posture rigid, like he’s holding himself back by sheer will. His gaze narrows, not quite a glare, but close enough to make my breath catch.

“Why are you the only one angry? You also left me.” Like the avoidant I am, I dump the blame on him.

“Oh yeah? What did I do?” His voice is low, almost calm. “Came to your place just to hold you? Was that so terrible, Elara?” He leans in, his forehead nearly brushing mine, a faint sneer tugging at his lips.

“Yes. You shouldn’t have come.” If you were going to leave.

“Even when you were crying? Saying you missed me?”

My breath stutters. He heard me.

I hiccup as he stalks closer, towering over me, forcing me back. My feet drag against the floor with each step he takes.

“Will it kill you to say it out loud?” His voice tightens. “Because not hearing it is killing me.” My back hits the kitchen counter as he cages me in, arms braced on either side.

“Sergei.”

“Yes, Elara.” “Step away or—” “Or what?”

“I’ll…I’ll punch you.”

“Do it.” He snarls, eyes darkening. “Anything over your silence, Elara.”

“It’s malyshka to you.” I growl and lunge at him, however, not for a punch.

His lips curl into a snarl but he doesn’t step away, and my lips touch his soft ones.

“You are an arsehole.” I grumble as my tongue clashes against his, overlapping, licking, poking his mouth when his arms come around me and he lifts me off the ground.

My back touches the cold granite as he spreads me on the counter. I don’t even fucking know when I lost the battle for dominance, nor do I care.

“You left me.” I hiss when his peppering kisses trail down to bite my neck.

“So did you.” His grip tightens around my waist as his lips lock with mine, almost bruising, channelling his anger through the kiss, somewhere stuck between wanting to hurt me but afraid that he actually might.

“You cannot blame me for wanting to spend time with my sister.” I argue, even though my sister made it impossible for me to enjoy her company.

“I wouldn’t, if your sister was half the human you are.” He cuts in, his mouth open and I see it before I feel his teeth sinking into the soft cushion of my lips and I moan so loud but it’s cut short, ending with a gasp.

“Oh, hell no.” Roman groans unpleasingly and my eyes widen as I assess the situation.