Page 57 of Deceptive Vows

The snow’s settled now, so everything is pretty, like a scene fromFrozen, except I’m stuck in a dark fairytale. A dark parody where everything is flipped in reverse, the villains reign, and there’s nothing called a happily ever after.

Snow runs into the patch of snow by the hedge, and I smile because she’s the same color and all I can see are her eyes and pink tongue. Next to the backdrop, she’s so fluffy she looks like a cloud floating by on the ground.

She’s been a good companion to me. I don’t know what I would have done if she wasn’t here. Lord knows I would have gone crazy inside the house, where there’s nothing to do but watch the clock.

I was told I could watch TV, but I don’t like watching TV when I’m not comfortable. Aleksander is always walking around and the maids always cleaning and talking, just not to me. I don’t want to be anywhere where people might be talking about me behind my back.

At least in Mexico, Adriana was a bitch enough to talk to my face.

Since I’m more of a thriller or mystery novel girl and not a big fan of the classical literature books here, going outside was my only option and seems like what I’ll be doing for a long time to come. I do have it on my to-do list to pick up a few novels when I’m next allowed to go to the store.

But that’s the lowest thing on my list of priorities.

In my current state of flux, I don’t think I could sit down and relax my mind long enough to get lost in a novel.

Every day is worse than the last, and I’m left wondering what’s next, or what’s going to happen to me.

The seamstress is supposed to be here in a few hours, so at least I have a heads-up on how the day will go. It’s the part after that I’m worried about.

Since I don’t want anyone to come looking for me, I make my way back when it’s close to lunchtime, and I’m surprised to see an elderly lady talking to Aleksander on the terrace. She has lily-white hair and screams of wealth in her white mid-length fur coat, a brown leather skirt, and ankle boots.

Something tells me from the respectful manner Aleksander is looking at her that she can’t be the seamstress.

When I get closer, she notices me, and her crystal-blue eyes twinkle when she offers a kind smile. It’s genuine and not forced like most of what I’ve seen so far in this house.

She looks back at Aleksander and says something to him in Russian. I catch the mention of Snow’s name, but that’s all I recognize.

Aleksander then comes up to me and takes the dog while the woman makes her descent down the steps to meet me.

“My dear, you are as lovely as I’ve heard,” she observes, her smile brightening.

“Thank you.” It’s a great compliment any girl would love, but it gets under my skin because everyone who says it is talking about Adriana. Although they’re looking at me and observing what I look like.

“I am Sophia Dmitriyev, Mikhail’s aunt,” she introduces herself with an elegant dip of her head. My stomach dips at the same time, twisting into more knots.

Mikhail’s aunt?

God.Now what is she going to be like?

My lips tremble at the worry of more backlash from someone else.

I can’t imagine she’s going to welcome me with open arms when my presence here is due to Raul killing her sister-in-law and niece.

“Nice to meet you,” I answer, carefully. I’m sure it’s not supposed to be nice to meet her, but I say it because I don’t know what else to say.

“Please do not look so worried.” She holds up both dainty hands. “I mean you no harm. Mikhail asked me to make the arrangements with the seamstress to see you today. I thought I’d come by and meet you before she gets here. Maybe even help you pick out your dress. That’s all, I promise.”

“Oh, I see. Thank you,” I mutter, feeling somewhat at ease for hearing she’s not a threat. I am still wary, though. It’s prudent to be on guard.

“Come, let’s go inside. I asked the maids to serve us lunch in the sunroom for a change of scenery.”

“Okay.”

We walk into the sunroom and take off our coats. Today’s spread has already been laid out on the table and looks delicious, as always.

Sophia sits first and motions for me to sit in the wicker chair opposite her.

I do, and she reaches for the cafetière filled with strong aromatic coffee to pour some into my cup first before filling hers.