Page 78

CHAPTER 77

LARA

Mikhail

We got word of where Alexei is.

What? Where? Why hasn’t he called?

Mikhail

He’s been in Kamen Prison.

WTF? For what?

Mikhail

I don’t know the details. I have to go get him. There’s a contact there who gave me the info and date.

He’s being released?

Mikhail

Not exactly…

My heart races in my ears reading his texts. I have so much to do to get ready for him to come home!

There’s tons of housework, and I should buy a new dress to show him.

Running to the bathroom, I make myself lose my breakfast that Sofia made me eat into the toilet.

Catching a look at my reflection, I look the tiniest I have been in a long time, it’s a shame I am so pale.

I need to clean in here too.

Weak and shaking, I look around at the mess I made.

Sheila and Bruce are taken care of, I’ve made a deal with the neighbor to help watch them when I’m too tired to check.

My phone vibrates with another message, but this time it’s Sofia asking if I’m home and hungry.

Not anymore.

Alexei is coming back. I’ll get back on his meal plan once he’s here.

But for now, I have too many things to do than to have her babysit me to eat.

I know she means well, yet it’s hard not to feel embarrassed sometimes that she’s treating me like a child.

Well, not really.

That’s probably just my perception.

I just hate being told I’m doing something wrong. What I eat is the only thing I know how to control.

Alexei is alive. I have to tamp down on my calories and get busy.