Page 84 of The Pakhan's Arranged Bride

She’s angry, but she has no right to be cruel. Her words slice into me a blade, causing me to lash out as well.

“At least I didn’t lie to you from the moment we met. Was there a hair appointment or were you going to go meet him? Maybe what you really want is for him to steal you away and make you his wife.”

Even as I say this, I know I’ve gone too far.

“Maybe I do. Maybe he’ll be the lesser evil compared to the asshole of a husband I have now,” she screams, zipping her overnight bag closed, tears streaming over her cheeks.

“If you leave I will drag you back here, I swear,” I growl.

“You don’t get it, Benedikt. Iwasn’tlying to you. I was willing to workwithyou on this. But now you’re trying to cut me out completely. This ismy fightfar more than it’s yours. You don’t get to push me out of it or lock me up. I have a right to be in this.”

Shit.

She’s right.

If anyone has a right to take Miron down, it’s her. And Iwastrying to block her out of it, just to keep her safe.But is she telling the truth? Was she willing to work with me?

“Ulyana, wait,” I say as she pushes past me.

“Go to hell, Benedikt. Go ask Jadon to find out if I really had a hair appointment. Hey, why don’t you ask him to call the doctor and find out if I’m really pregnant. Seeing as I’m apparently lying abouteverything.”

Fuck. I really went too far with what I said.

“Wait,” I say again, trying to grab her arm and pull her back, but she yanks her arm away from me. “I didn’t mean it like that. I was only trying to keep you safe, please, let me explain.”

“Don’t youdaretouch me after telling me Iwantto be with Miron, after I shared my fears, my story—you think it’s okay for you to say that to me?” she snaps, her eyes flaring.

I step back and raise my hands, defensive, shocked at how quickly this escalated and got out of hand.

“I should never have said that. I’m sorry.” I mutter.

I didn’t mean what I said.

Fuck. That was horrible.

She ignores my apology and stand helpless as I watch Ulyana walk down the stairs, out of the front door and slam it behind herself.

“Fuck,” I scream loudly, punching the door near me. My fists leaves a hole in the wood. I flex my fingers, shaking my head, ashamed of how I behaved.

Why couldn’t I just trust her?

Why did I have to push for control?

I know why.It’s because I want to keep her safe.

But I’ve done it all wrong. And now I’ve pushed her so far away from me that I don’t have any idea where she’s going.

Pulling my phone out of my pocket I call Jadon and tell him to track her car. I can’t risk following her, it’ll make her even angrier. But I at least have to know where she is, that she’s going somewhere safe.

Fuck. I’ve really fucked this whole thing up.

Chapter 24 - Ulyana

I pause outside the mansion, standing with my hand on the car door, waiting.

But he doesn’t chase after me.

The front door doesn’t open, Benedikt doesn’t walk through it to come and call me back. I choke back a sob and swallow away the tightness in my throat.