“Anna…” Maria called my name with a broad smile, stepping closer.
My breath hitched. My chest pounded so hard it echoed in my ears. I’ve missed her. But too much has changed.
“Anna, aren’t you happy to see me?”
I blinked at her, trying to reconcile the girl I once knew with the woman standing in front of me. Her hair was styled differently, sleeker, more polished, but the way she fidgeted with her sleeve was the same. A nervous habit.
She’s hiding something.
I forced a smile. “I didn’t think I’d see you again.
Gleb’s voice cut through the moment. “We all need to talk.” His eyes flicked over Maria, assessing her, “I’ll be waiting at the dining table.” He turned and left without another word.
Maria frowned, her gaze flicking between me and the doorway he’d disappeared through. “Hey… what’s up with you? It’s been so long since we last saw each other, and you’re acting like this?”
“You knew Papa never wanted you to come here in the first place,” I said, my voice sharper than I intended. “That letter you left behind, about running away with your boyfriend because you didn’t want to marry Gleb… It was fake. You and Dad set me up. I was the sacrificial lamb, wasn’t I?”
She stepped closer and took my hands. “What have they done to you, Anna? You sound like you hate your own family now.”
I yanked my hands away. “Nobody did anything to me. Coming here just made me see the truth. Dad never loved me. Mom never did either. They let Elisabetta poison me for years, just so my legs would stay weak. And it wouldn’t even surprise me if Dad was behind the accident that paralyzed me in the first place.”
Maria’s expression tightened. “Who’s been telling you these things? Zoya? Gleb?” She gave a short, humorless laugh. “You’re really going to trust them over your own blood?”
“Elisabetta confessed,” I shot back.
She exhaled sharply, gripping my hand. “Anna, listen to yourself. Think. How do you know they didn’t force her to confess? You know what these people are capable of.”
Her expression darkened. “His family demanded another bride since you haven’t given them an heir. Papa sent me. Maybe because he trusts me more. Maybe because he doesn’t think I’ll fail the way you did.”
I let out a bitter laugh. “Have you been fucking Father?”
Maria’s whole body jerked back. “Excuse me?”
“Or should I say, has Father been fucking you?” My voice dropped, thick with disgust. “I saw the video, Maria. Him. In your bed.”
Her face drained of color. “The fuck?!” she spat. “I haven’t even let my own boyfriend touch me. I’m still a virgin.”
“Liar.”
“Where did you see that?”
“Gleb showed me.”
“Then he must still have it, right?” she snapped. “Let’s go ask him.”
I hesitated, glancing at my novel on the table. Did I even want to know the truth? But Maria was already marching toward the dining room. With a sigh, I followed.
At the table, Gleb sat at the head, exuding authority. Maria and I sat across from each other.
“Gleb,” I said. “Do you still have the video of my father with her?”
Gleb’s eyes narrowed, his face setting into an unreadable mask. “Why?”
Maria turned to Gleb, a fire in her eyes, “Show me the damn video.”
Gleb smirks coldly, “I don’t need to.” He said, leaning back in his chair. “Because it was never you in that bed, was it?”
Maria’s expression morphed into one of confusion. “What the hell are you talking about?”
My heart pounded, “Gleb, stop playing games. If it wasn’t her, then who?”
A long silence stretched between us. Gleb finally met my gaze, his expression unreadable. “The video was doctored,” he said flatly. “It wasn’t your sister.”
The air left my lungs.
No.
That can’t be right.
I turned to Maria, expecting her to look smug, but her face was just as stunned as mine.
Maria’s lips curled in satisfaction. “Told you.”
I felt sick.
Gleb’s fingers drummed against the table, his gaze cold. “So. You’re here to take my wife’s place.”
Maria stiffened. “I…”
“Did you think I’d welcome you with open arms?” His voice was a low growl. “That I’d bow to my family’s demands like a trained dog?”
She straightened. “I know it’s complicated, considering you’re married to my sister.
“No,” he cut in sharply. “It’s not complicated. It’s absurd. And insulting.”
His voice was firm. “I brought you here so we could settle this properly, with my wife present.”
Maria’s lips parted slightly.
“I won’t divorce Anna. Not for you, not for anyone. You’re beautiful, I won’t deny that, but you’ll find your own man someday. My family can demand all they want, but they can’t force me into another marriage.”
Maria’s jaw tightened. “They need an heir. And your wife isn’t producing one.”
Gleb smirked. “Were you not well informed? The issue isn’t her, it’s me. I haven’t consummated this marriage. But when I do, she’ll bear as many heirs as I please.”
Maria’s expression shattered. She had nothing to say to that.
“Are you two in love?” she asked, voice quieter now.
“It’s a marriage of convenience,” Gleb said easily. “But as husband and wife, we respect each other’s boundaries.”
His eyes darkened. “I hope after this meeting, you’ll respect yourself and return to Italy. Don’t make yourself the villain in this story.”
Maria stood abruptly. “I have my self-respect, and I won’t force myself on a man who doesn’t want me.” She turned to me. “I’ll tell Mama and Papa how much their daughter has changed.”
She spun on her heels, but Gleb’s voice stopped her.
“Maria.”
She turned.
He stared at her, cold as ice. “I don’t care how long you stay here before you leave, but if you make my wife’s life difficult, I will kill you.”
Maria’s nostrils flared. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me,” he said flatly.
Maria scoffed. “You wouldn’t dare. My father took Yegor and Arseny hostage just for sending me here. If anything happens to me, they’ll die.”
Gleb leaned back, unimpressed. “Like I care.”
Maria forced a smile, but there was a flicker of unease in her eyes. “I know you’re the king here, Gleb. But don’t forget who my father is.”
Gleb arched a brow. “Your father? You mean the man who threw you to the wolves?”
Her jaw clenched. “He’s still powerful.”
“Not here.” His voice was low, dangerous. “In Russia, your father is nothing. And if you push me, you’ll be even less.”
“You wouldn’t dare lay a finger on me.”
Gleb snapped. He lunged across the table, grabbing her by the throat and slamming her down onto the dishes with a violent crash.
I gasped. “Please, let her go!”
Maria clawed at his hand, kicking wildly. “You psycho!”
“Don’t think being a woman will save you,” Gleb growled, pressing harder. “You don’t get to talk to me like that.”
I grabbed his arm. “She’s my sister, Gleb! Please!”
Slowly, I pried his fingers away.
When he finally let go, Maria coughed, pressing a trembling hand to her throat. Her fingers curled into fists. “You’ll regret that,” she forced out, but there was a flicker of something else in her eyes. Fear.
“Maria, just go,” I whispered. “You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into.”
Maria’s laugh was hollow. “I see now. You’re weak, Anna. But I’m not.” She turned to Gleb. “You slammed an Italian princess onto a table. You’ll regret it.”
I felt Gleb’s fury simmering beside me, but I held onto his wrist. “Please,” I whispered. If I weren’t here, he might kill her.
Maria grabbed her bag and stormed out.
Gleb sat back, jaw clenched so tightly I thought it might snap.
I hesitated. “What will you do about your family?”
“I’ll handle it,” he said, voice tight.
I swallowed. “You really never plan to end this marriage?”
He exhaled sharply. “Don’t ask stupid questions.”
“But there is no love between us. How can you…”
His gaze burned into mine. “I will never let you go. Understand that.”
The words sliced through me.
Gleb’s phone rang.
He answered, listened, then his face darkened.
CRACK.
His phone shattered against the wall.
I flinched. “Gleb?”
His eyes locked onto mine, blazing with rage. “My sister,” he ground out, “has been with your father this whole time.”
The floor seemed to tilt beneath me. “What…?”
His voice was low, lethal. “She’s the one in the video. Not Maria.”
My world spun. Oh God.
“I knew it,” he muttered bitterly, then walked away.
I collapsed onto my chair, breathless.
There’s no future for us. None. Our families are too broken.
And maybe… so were we.
I had clung to the idea, stupid, desperate, that maybe Gleb and I could build something real. That despite the violence, despite the lies, we could carve out some small sliver of happiness.
But I was wrong. So, so wrong.
It was never realistic, was it? A marriage forced between two families drowning in blood and betrayal. This wasn’t some fairytale where an heir could magically fix decades of animosity.
My thoughts spiraled, tangled in confusion. I didn’t want to do this, but I had no choice. With trembling hands, I pulled out my phone and called my mother, the last person I ever wanted to speak to again.
She answered on the second ring. “Anna. Maria told me how they’ve brainwashed you over there. Oh, my poor daughter! Do you hate your own parents now?”
The accusation hit me harder than expected. My throat tightened. “Mom…” My voice cracked, and before I could stop myself, I started to cry. “Can you get me out of here? Please?”
She let out a long sigh, as if I were an unreasonable child throwing a tantrum. “Of course, but you need to divorce your husband first. Formalize it. Then I promise I’ll bring you home.”
Divorce. That word felt heavier than I expected.
I hesitated. “And if I do? If I sign the divorce papers… you’ll get me out?”
“Of course, dear. You’ll be safe at home where you belong.” My mother’s voice was smooth,
I bit my lip. It sounded too easy. Too neat. And when has anything in my life ever been easy?
“I’m tired, Mom.”
Her tone softened, almost maternal. “I understand, my dear. Your sister is there now, and there’s no reason for you to stay. At least it’s fortunate he hasn’t consummated your marriage.
I squeezed my eyes shut, my head pounding. “Okay, Mom.”
“Talk to you later.”
But I wasn’t done. “Mom…” My voice caught in my throat. “Is Gleb’s sister really with you?”
There was a pause before she answered, “With your father, yes.”
I swallowed hard. “Mom, do you realize what Dad is doing to her?”
“Don’t be dramatic, Anna. She knew what she was getting into.”
I felt a wave of nausea. “He’s forcing her against her will. I saw the video.”
“She gave her consent.”
A cold chill spread through my chest. My stomach twisted violently. “Mom… I never knew this side of Dad.”
She chuckled lightly, as if amused by my naïveté. “This is how the mafia works, my dear. Your husband will do the same in time.”
I felt sick. “How can you be so comfortable with this?”
She didn’t answer.
I gritted my teeth. “Please, talk to Dad. Ask him to let the lady go.”
“And what about your cousins and brother? Did you forget they’re being held over there?”
My heart plummeted. I gripped the edge of the table for support. “Do you think he’ll let her go if I convince Gleb to release them?”
“I can’t speak for him.” She added, her voice distant, “When you come back, you can talk to your father about it.”
Talk? As if I’ll ever see him the same way again.
I didn’t know who scared me more, my husband’s family or my own.
“You’ll see, Anna. Once you’re back where you belong, everything will make sense.” She said softly.
“I don’t think it ever will.”
She chuckled, her tone unnervingly calm “That’s what your sister said too. Look where she ended up.”
The line went dead before I could respond.
I rested my head on the table, my body too heavy to move. The pressure, the suffocating weight of it all, was crushing me. I doubted I could even stand right now. It wasn’t just emotional anymore, it was physical.
But I had to leave. I had to get out of here. Maybe disappear to some island, far away from all of this.
A light tap on my shoulder made me flinch. I looked up to see Zoya. She pulled out a chair and sat down beside me, her eyes searching mine.
“Sad?”
I exhaled, staring at the floor. “I’m just tired. Tired of everything, Zoya.” My voice was hoarse. “Just last year, I was a teenager, happy, getting everything I ever wanted. Now? Ever since I came here, my life has spiraled into something I don’t even recognize.”
“So what do you intend to do?” she asked.
I hesitated before answering. “I want to leave. And I don’t mean running back to my parents. They’re worse than I ever imagined.” I swallowed, unsure if I could trust her, but at this point, I had no one else.
“I just need somewhere safe, somewhere I can rebuild my life.”
“Staying here…” A lump formed in my throat but I pushed it down. “I feel like I’m suffocating.”
Zoya shook her head slowly. “You’re giving up on Gleb already?”
I let out a bitter laugh. “Giving up on Gleb? He’s the one who gave up on me a long time ago.”
She sighed. “No. You just don’t know him yet.”
I scoffed. “I know enough.”
She leaned forward, voice firm. “Listen to me. I’ll advise you like I would a friend.”
I stilled.
Zoya had never spoken to me like this before.
“Both your families are broken. But you and Gleb? You’re not like them.”
Zoya’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Don’t leave him, Anna. Be strong. Fight for this.”
I blinked, startled by her conviction. “Fight for what? For a man who loathes me? Who sees me as nothing more than an object?” My voice dropped to a whisper. “He told me he would never love me. That he would never let me go, either.”
Zoya sighed, “That man is his own worst enemy.”
“And I’m his prisoner.” I said bitterly.
“No, you’re not. And he’s not as unfeeling as he wants you to think.”
I frowned, but Zoya pressed on. “Did you know Gleb used to sneak food to the kitchen maids when we were starving under his grandmother’s rule? He was a child, and he still found ways to help others, even if it meant getting punished.”
I stared at her, heart tightening. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because people don’t change that much. You think he’s this cold, heartless man? He’s not. He’s just scared. And if you leave, you’ll prove to him that love, real love, isn’t worth fighting for.”
My grip tightened around the cup. I realized, maybe Zoya is right. Maybe Gleb isn’t lost yet.
My mind reeled back to all the moments I had brushed off, how protective he had been, how he canceled meetings just to bring me pizza on a private jet, how he bathed me when I needed help, how he let me interrupt his million-dollar deals without consequence.
Those weren’t the actions of a man who loathed me.
Was I really making the right choice by running?
If I left, Gleb might have no choice but to marry Maria.
Maria never hesitated to follow orders. If our father told her to slit Gleb’s throat in his sleep, she would. She had always been our father’s most obedient soldier, and I had no doubt that, given the chance, she would take everything from me.
“Anna…” Zoya called gently.
I sighed, “His sister is with my father. He won’t be himself knowing my father is… is hurting her.” My voice wavered. “How will he sleep? How will he even look at me, the daughter of the man who’s destroying his sister? The daughter of the woman who murdered his mother?”
Elisabetta reached for my hand. “Talk to him, Anna. Make him trust you. He always handles things alone, but this time, he can’t. Not without you. And not without Maria.”
I nodded slowly. “Thank you, Zoya.”
She patted my hand before standing. “Let me check what’s burning in the kitchen.”
I watched her walk away, her words still ringing in my ears.
Could I fight for this marriage?
For Gleb?
For us?