Captive Bride (A Dark Mafia Arranged Marriage Romance) (Mafia Bride Book 1) by M. James

Author:M. James [James, M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-11-20T16:00:00+00:00

Caterina

I can’t do this.

That’s my first thought when I wake up the next morning, Viktor has already gone, the sheets on his side of the bed rumpled where he slept.

I roll over, shoving my face into the pillow as I try to stop the tears, but I can’t. Viktor gave me my first injection last night, and he was hardly gentle about it. I’d had some idea of what to expect. Still, I hadn’t expected the sheer indignity I’d feel as I’d pushed up the side of my pajama shorts, baring the curve of my ass to Viktor’s gaze as he readied himself to give me the shot.

I’d almost expected him to take advantage of that, to try to touch me in some intimate way, but he hadn’t. He’d just jabbed it into my flesh, none too gently, and I’d bitten my lip so hard I’d tasted blood, refusing to give him the satisfaction of the pained noise I’d wanted to make.

I chose this, I’d reminded myself. So don’t make him think you’re regretting it.

The silence between us has become almost constant, cold and drawn out. Our interactions have even become stiff when we’re around the staff or the children. It’s hard to pretend to be a happily married couple when the disdain between the two of us feels as if it’s growing by the day, and even Viktor seems to be getting tired of the charade. He makes it to dinner every night, but all of his attention is on Yelena and Anika. Any other time he’s home, he stays in his study as much as possible.

For myself, I feel like a glorified nanny. I know I’m expected to be up by now, dressed and helping Olga get the children ready to leave for school. But I can’t seem to get myself up. I shove my face deeper into the pillow, letting myself sob just a little—once, twice, and then deep gulping breaths as I try to pull myself together. I’m supposed to have lunch with Sofia today at least, the first time I’ve been out of this house, with the exception of the fertility appointment. The reminder of that gives me the boost I need to sit up. I rub my hand over my face in an effort to wipe the tears away and make it into the shower so that I can get ready and see what needs to be done before I meet her.

There’s nothing to be done though, really. I don’t have any purpose in this house beyond helping with Anika and Yelena. By the time I manage to get out of the shower, braid my wet hair into a single long braid that dangles over my shoulder, and put on a pair of jeans and a white t-shirt, Olga has already gotten them dressed and fed and bundled off to school. I can see what she thinks of that in her disapproving look as she walks through the dining room while I’m eating my breakfast, feeling adrift at the long table that’s empty except for me.

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