Page 87 of His Forced Bride

"What did she say?"

"She claims to care about what happens to your business and she wants to discuss details. Details that could change your understanding of what happened."

I set down my fork, my appetite vanishing.

"What kind of details?"

"She wouldn't specify, but she's demanding a meeting."

I hate the way his shoulders square and stiffen as he says it. I can tell instantly that he's against the idea.

He's already made it clear that he finds her a threat, and it angers me.

My mother left us, but if she wants to come back into my life, he has no right to stop her.

Maybe I need to see her to have it out with her and find out what her reason is for deserting me.

"I want to see her," I tell him.

"No," he grumbles.

The refusal comes immediately, and I stare at him across the table, feeling heat build in my chest.

It was so absolute and immediate, I have no choice but to rebel against him.

It's like he wants to anger me and incite an argument.

"She's my mother."

"She's a threat to everything you've built, Inessa. I'm trying to protect you, whether you see that or not."

I push back from the table, the chair scraping against slate flooring.

"By keeping me locked away from everyone I've ever known? By deciding who I can and cannot see?"

"By ensuring you survive long enough to inherit what your father died protecting."

He sits straighter now, voice tight with anger and eyes wide with fury.

"Maybe I need the truth from her. Did you think of that?"

I'm shaking now, furious that he thinks he can control me.

Yuri stands slowly, his height alone intimidating.

"The truth is that your mother abandoned you when you needed her most. She only returned when she saw opportunity in your pain."

"You don't know that."

"Don't I? She's not here out of maternal concern. She's here because she sees weakness she can exploit."

His chest is heaving now, hands curled into fists mirroring mine.

If I didn't know better, I'd say he might hit me, but he's too gentle to do that.

At least I hope so.

"I still want to see her."