Chapter 15 Chapter 15

Chapter 15 Chapter 15


Irina's POV 

I stood by the chair, staring down at the empty plate in front of me. My stomach was tight with anger and fear.

Alexei gestured to the seat again. "Sit, Irina."

I did not move. "I want to go home."

"This is your home now," he said softly.

"No," I said firmly. "My home is with Dimitri. Take me back."

He picked up his coffee cup and took a slow sip. "Sit down and eat your breakfast."

"I will not eat anything until you take me back!" I crossed my arms over my chest.

His green eyes finally met mine. And it was cold and dangerous.

"You will sit," he said quietly. "And you will eat. Or I will hold you down and force every bite down your throat myself."

My cheeks burned with shame and anger. He would do it. I knew he would.

I sat down heavily in the chair, glaring at the table.

"Good girl," he said.

I rolled my eyes in disgust.

The servants appeared, carrying covered dishes. They set them down in front of me and lifted the lids.

The smell hit me immediately. Rich and savory. My stomach growled despite the anger.

There was porridge with berries, soft boiled eggs, fresh bread with butter, grilled fish, sliced vegetables and herbal tea that smelled sweet and calming.

Everything looked healthy. 

I looked over at Alexei's plate. He had steak, and black coffee. Nothing like what I was served.

"Why is my food different?" I asked.

"Because you are carrying my child," he said, cutting into his steak. "You need proper nutrition. Everything on your plate was chosen specifically for the baby's development."

"I do not want it," I said stubbornly.

"I do not care what you want," he replied. He did not even look up from his food. "Eat."

I sat there, staring at the food. I was so hungry that my stomach hurt. But I did not want to give him the satisfaction of obeying.

"Irina." His voice was low and cold. "Do not test my patience."

I picked up the spoon quietly. My hand was shaking with anger. I took a bite of the porridge.

It was delicious, warm and sweet. My body immediately wanted more.

I ate another spoonful. Then another. Before I knew it, I was eating quickly, shoveling food into my mouth like I had been starving.

Which I had been. Probably because of the pregnancy.

I could feel his eyes on me as I ate.

I glanced up. He was watching me eat. He had stopped eating his own food and wssbjiw watching me.

His green eyes followed every movement, every bite. It was so uncomfortable I wanted to scream.

"Stop staring at me," I muttered.

"No," he said simply.

"Why are you watching me like that?" My brows furrowed.

"Because I need to make sure you eat everything," he said. "You are too thin. You need to gain weight for the baby."

"I am fine," I snapped.

"I won't have you starve yourself." he said. "Not on my watch."

How dare he act like he cares?

"You do not get to tell me what to do," I said.

"Actually, I do," he replied calmly. "You are carrying my child. That gives me every right."

I wanted to throw the plate at his face. But I was so hungry so I kept eating, hating every second of his eyes on me.

When I finally finished, he nodded in approval. "Good. You will eat every meal like this from now on."

"You cannot force me to stay here forever," I said. "Dimitri will find me. And when he does…"

"When he does, what?" Alexei leaned back in his chair. "He will challenge me? Fight me? Kill me?" He smiled that cold smile. "Let him try."

"He loves me," I said. My voice shook. "He will never stop looking for me."

"I know," Alexei said. "That is what I am counting on."

I did not understand. "What do you mean?"

"Finish your tea," he said, ignoring my question.

I wanted to refuse. But the tea smelled so good. And I was still thirsty.

I drank it slowly. It was sweet with honey and herbs. It made me feel warm inside.

When I was done, I stood up quickly. "I am going back to my room."

"Fine," he said. "But you will join me for lunch and dinner. No arguments."

I did not answer. I just walked away as fast as I could.

I could feel him watching me the whole way to the door.

When I got back to my room, I slammed the door as hard as I could. The sound echoed through the villa.

I was shaking, with anger, with fear and frustration.

I hate him. I hate this place. I hate that I have no way out.

I walked to the balcony and looked out at the endless sea. The water was so blue, so beautiful and so impossible to cross.

Tears filled my eyes. "Dimitri," I whispered. "Please find me. Please."

The day dragged on forever. I stayed in my room not wanting to see Alexei again.

But at lunch time, guards came to escort me to the dining room. And I had no choice.

Alexei was already there, reading something on his phone. He looked up when I entered.

"Sit," he said.

I sat and ate. I did not speak to him.

He watched me the entire time again.

Dinner was the same. Healthy food and his cold staring.

By the time I got back to my room for the night, I felt like a trapped animal.

I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. Alexei did not come to the room this time. I was alone.

But I could not sleep.

My mind was racing. I needed to escape. I needed to find a way out of here.

The hours passed and Midnight came.

An idea formed in my mind. It was dangerous, maybe even stupid but I had to try.

I got out of bed quietly and put on the silk robe the servants had left for me.

I walked to the door and opened it.

Two guards stood outside. They straightened when they saw me.

"Miss," one of them said. "Is something wrong?"

"I need fresh air," I said, trying to sound weak and tired. "Please. I cannot breathe in there. I feel like the walls are closing in."

"We can open your balcony door," the guard said.

"No," I said. "I need to go outside for a walk. Just for a few minutes."

The guards looked at each other uncertainly.

"The Pakhan gave strict orders," one said. "You are not to leave the villa."

"Please," I said. My voice broke and I let tears fill my eyes. "My baby. The baby needs fresh air. It needs..." I put my hand on my stomach. "If I do not get fresh air, something bad will happen. I can feel it. Please. I am begging you."

I made my eyes as big and sad as I could. I pouted and looked as pathetic as possible.

"Miss, we cannot…"

"The baby will die!" I cried out. "Do you want to be responsible for killing your Pakhan's child? Do you want to explain to him why his baby died because you would not let me breathe?"

The guards looked terrified now.

"Every pregnant woman needs fresh air," I said desperately. "It is normal, please. Just five minutes. I just need to breathe."

They looked at each other again. 

Finally, one of them nodded. "Five minutes. We will be right there with you."

Relief flooded through me. "Thank you. Thank you so much."

They walked with me down the stairs, through the villa, to the back doors that opened onto a stone terrace.

The night air was cool and salty. The sound of the sea was so loud out here.

I walked slowly to the edge of the terrace. The guards stayed close behind me.

I looked out at the dark water. The moon was full tonight. It made a silver path across the waves.

"This is good,
" one guard said. "You have had your fresh air. We should go back inside now."

"Just one more minute," I said. "Please."

They nodded.

I took a few more steps closer to the edge.

The guards were not paying close attention now. They were talking quietly to each other.

This was my chance.

I took a deep breath. Then I ran.

"Miss Irina!" One of the guards shouted.

I did not stop. I ran straight to the edge of the terrace.

And I jumped.