Chapter Six

The drive back to the mansion feels longer than usual. The gates open slowly, deliberately, as if even they hesitate to let me in.

I got out of the car, still deep in thoughts. Trying to figure out what’s really at play here. Why the sudden change in my father’s attitude towards me? What went wrong? What happened? Why has my mother refused to see me as well? What was really their deal with Viktor?

As I entered the house, I froze.

Viktor is waiting in the main hall. Hands clasped behind his back and eyes dark like a troubled dark cloud.

He always knows.

“How was your visit?” he asks calmly.

I didn't answer immediately. “You knew I went.”

“Yes.”

“Did you send someone with me?”

“I don’t need to.”

His eyes study my face carefully.

“He called you,” I say knowingly. “My father.”

Viktor doesn’t deny it.

“He expressed concern.”

“Concern?” I almost laughed. “About what exactly?”

“Your behavior.”

“My behavior? What about it?”

“You forget your position.”

“What position? I do not understand the sick games you and my father are playing. I did not want this. I never wanted this.” I echo.

Viktor steps closer.

“You are not Karelin anymore.”

“I never stopped being one. But unfortunately, I was reminded that I was never one to begin with today.”

He studies me for a long moment.

“Your father agrees.”

The words hit harder than they should. Even though weeks being with this cruel man has taught me tolerance, hearing those words from him made my heart hurt.

“He told you to control me,” I say quietly.

“He reminded me of our arrangement.”

“I am not a dog.”

“No,” Viktor agrees softly. “You are more valuable than that.”

There is something dangerous in his calm.

“I went to ask for work,” I say. “For purpose.”

“You have purpose.”

“Standing beside you at dinners is not the purpose. I am more than that”

His gaze sharpens.

“You are beginning to mistake tolerance for weakness.”

“I am asking for dignity.”

“You are asking for autonomy.”

“And?”

“And that was never part of this.” He replied, still calm.

Something in my chest fractures. “You promised partnership.” I add.

“I promised an alliance.”

“Which includes respect.”

“Respect,” he repeats thoughtfully, “is earned.”

The silence between us thickens.

“I have done nothing but comply,” I say.

“You went back to Karelin.”

“I went to my father.”

“You went back to a name that no longer serves you.”

“It serves me.”

“It undermines me.”

I stare at him. “So this is about your pride.”

“This is about control.”

“Exactly.”

His jaw tightens almost imperceptibly.

“You are emotional,” he says.

“I am human.”

He steps closer. Too close.

“You forget yourself.” And then, swiftly a hard force made contact with my face. The sound is sharp. I didn't even register the movement at first. Just the impact.

And the sudden stillness after. My head turns slightly from the force.

Silence fills the hall.

No shouting.

No chaos.

Just the echo of what happened.

I slowly turn back to face him.

His expression hasn’t changed.

“You will not embarrass me again,” he says evenly. Moving a little bit back from me.

My cheek burns, but I refuse to lift my hand to it. I refuse to let him see me pitiful and broken again.

“You are crueler than him. I wasn’t part of your sick game why I’m I the one paying for it? I’m finally realizing this marriage wasn’t just for business but for something else,” I say quietly.

“Your father, he asked for this. He asked for more power in exchange for his daughter so don’t blame me when all I’m doing is putting you on a leash just like he wanted.”

“And you agreed.”

“I corrected the misunderstanding.”

I stare at him.

“You hit me. Numerous times now. Was it part of the agreement?”

“You tested me.”

“I only asked for help!.”

“You sought weakness.”

“I sought my father.”

“And he reminded you where you belong.”

The cruelty is clinical.

Measured.

“You will not return there without my permission,” Viktor continues. “You will not create uncertainty. You will not forget whose name you carry.”

I feel small.

Smaller than I ever have.

“You are beginning to confuse rebellion with strength,” he says.

“And you are confusing fear with respect.”

For a brief second, something flickers in his eyes.

Then it’s gone.

“You will dine with me tonight,” he says. “You will smile. And tomorrow, you will apologize for today’s lapse.”

“I did nothing wrong.”

“You stepped outside your bounds.“You stepped away from me.”

The truth settles heavy in my stomach.

This was never about Karelin.

It was about ownership.

“Roman won’t be here anymore. He doesn't stay here. He was only here to assist me with some work from home. So you do not have to tolerate him anymore cause I’ve seen how uncomfortable you act when he’s around” he says. His voice hinted at a mockery at the end.

Roman was a concern. I’ve made a decision that he won’t become a problem to me. Whatever happened between us that night, died that night. So him not being here anymore means nothing to me.

“That is not my concern.” I drawled out. Even though a strange emptiness spreads through me.

Roman leaving means distance.

Distance means silence.

“You are alone here,” Viktor says quietly, almost gently. “That is the reality you must accept.”

The finality in his tone is suffocating.

He turns away first