Page 134 of Beautiful Secrets

Cole could not have known what a massive impact his actions made that day he proposed to me. I had not even known how bad relations were between the Vasilievs and the Barisovas until Father had told me a few days later.

Days later, because I had been inconsolable.

Day later, because that’s how long it had taken me to surface from the dark depths I had sunk to.

Those were such dark days.

I learned some harsh truths that still haunt me.

Father hadn’t known what Yuri had done. He’d assumed I’d done something mulishly stubborn to piss off the Barisovas—and had been too enmeshed in trying to cleave the Hendry’s trade routes from them to spend any time figuring out what had happened.

It was as if Yuri’s death had unlocked a chest hidden deep within our household.

Vanya’s affair with Aleksandr came to the surface. And, shockingly, there had been no repercussions.

Quite the opposite.

Next spring, they will be married a year. Vanya told me over the phone yesterday that she’s expecting their first child.

Children.

Twins.

Which made me sob until my eyes were puffy, because that reminded me of Cole.

Everythingreminds me of him.

The Barisovas have all gone back to Russia. The Vasilievs now control Scotland—even the trade routes which were loyal to the Hendrys.

That had been Cole’s parting gift to my father.

“Mika, why are you crying?”

“I am always crying,” I manage in a tight voice. “Think nothing of it.”

My father sighs and rests back in his seat. “The house will be so empty without my girls.”

Vanya went back to Russia with Aleksandr. Tonya and Zaneta have both moved out. I am the last to go—and I suspect that is why Father is trying so hard to hold onto me.

“So move into a smaller house,” I tell him, reaching over and pinching his arm.

His skin feels too thin, but he barely flinches. Instead, he turns serious eyes to me. “Are you sure you are doing the right thing?”

I inhale a deep breath. “I have never been more sure in my life, Papa.” I pat his hand, and give him as best a smile as I can manage. “Now, tell me a story.”

“A…story?” He lets out a faint chuckle. “What type of story?”

“A fairy tale.”

He looks away, frowning. “I can’t remember any.”

I turn to look out my window, stroking my belly. “Me neither.” And then, in barely a whisper, I add, “But I will make sure Tavisha knows them all.”

49

Cole

I’ve never wanted a cigarette as badly in my fucking life as right now. As soon as I hear the intercom buzz, my heart stutters in my chest and starts to pound.