Merciless Union: An Arranged Marriage Mafia Romance (The Petrov Mafia #1) by Ivy Davis

Author:Ivy Davis [Davis, Ivy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-09-05T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 12

Arina

After Maxim leaves for work for the day, I finally crawl out of bed. It takes all my energy to do it, but I manage, even though every part of me wants to curl back up in a ball and forget that my mom is gone.

Tears prick at my eyes.

No. I can’t keep crying forever. My mom wouldn’t have wanted that.

Poking my head into the hallway, I listen to make sure Maxim is truly gone. The penthouse is so silent it’s almost deafening.

Taking a deep breath, I step into the hallway. The floor beneath me is cold, reminding me how sterile this house feels. It’s not a home. It’s a prison.

Since I’m stuck here forever, I should try to make it cozier. But that would imply leaving and going shopping. And I still have my mother’s funeral to plan.

I haven’t even spoken to my father in the past week. I’m afraid that just hearing his voice will bring back the pain. It’s time, though.

I settle into the living room and call him, my hands shaking as I do so.

“Arina?” he asks after just one ring.

“Hi, Dad.” A lump at the back of my throat forms. “Sorry I haven’t called.”

“Sweetheart, I understand.”

“I feel so terrible for leaving you at home, knowing that’s where Mom died.”

He clears his throat. “I’m doing fine. Well, as fine as one can be under the circumstances. But I feel secure here, knowing your mother is nearby, watching over me.”

I smile. “That makes me happy that you can feel her presence.” I glance around the ultra-modern living room. Even the cough I’m sitting on is a cool leather—not a couch to curl up in and feel at home. “I can’t feel her here. I don’t think I ever will.”

“Arina, do you want me to come over?”

“I’m not sure Maxim would appreciate just anyone coming over to his house. He’s very protective and controlling over things like that.” Like me.

“Well, if you ever need me, you know I’ll be there.”

My mom’s words come back to me before she died, reminding me that she would always be there for me.

“Thanks,” I finally say. “We should probably start on the funeral planning soon.”

“Yeah. I just haven’t had the capacity to start yet.”

“Neither have I.” My voice comes out chocked.

“We’ll get it done,” he reassures me. “In time, we’ll give your mother the funeral she deserves.”

I nod, even though he can’t see me. “I love you, Dad.”

“I love you with all my heart, Arina.”

We hang up after that.

I lay back on the uncomfortable couch feeling like I’m in a daze. This won’t do.

I get up and march to the front door, swinging it open and startling the guard on the other side. “Take me to a furniture store. I don’t care where. Let’s just go.”

I don’t wait for him to get permission from Maxim. I just walk past, and he follows, muttering under his breath.

The guard, who’s name I still don’t know, takes me to one of those warehouse furniture stores.

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