Chapter 35 35

Chapter 35 35

THE EVIDENCE
Yelena hesitated only for a breath before she set off toward Ivan’s office, her heels echoing sharply, cutting through the quiet.
She finally got to his doorstep, smiled, and then passed through the first two doors.
She stepped in with a broad smile.

“Hello, cousin.” Yelena began.

Ivan lifted his head. “Yelena.”

“Yes, Ivan.”

“What are you doing here? I thought you were gone, knowing you still have an ongoing project,” He said.

“Of course, I’m aware I have a project to attend to. But I was hoping to spend a little time with you before I leave.”

“Oh, I’m afraid now is not the right time.”

“There’s never a right time with you. You’re always so occupied, it’s either work or Katerina. What else? I hope you know that when you eventually find the truth about her, you need to get back to living life the way you always did six years ago.”

“You say it like I’ve changed,” Ivan said.

“Uhm… yes, you’ve changed a whole lot. You used to be pretty fun, at least on the inside, even though nobody on the outside knew that. Remember those times we’d go under the tree to play games, or the sleepover party we attended?”

“Oh come on, Yelena, that was like 4th grade. A lot has changed since then.”

“Well, forgive me if I still have memories of those days like they were yesterday,” Yelena said, locking eyes with Ivan.

“We used to be so close, Ivan, even up to high school. And then you dated that particular girl.”

Ivan laughed loudly. “Oh come on, don’t remind me. What was her name again? Uh…”

“Mia!” Yelena said.

“Yes… Mia. That lady gave me my first heartbreak.”

“You cried like a little puppy all summer,” Yelena said, breaking into laughter.

“No, I did not.”

“Errr… you did! Don’t deny it. When you told me what happened, I was so ready to go fight her.”

“I know! I’m glad I stopped you, though.”

“And then your dad found out about it and he was like…”

“Men do not cry,” Ivan completed.

They both laughed. Yelena took her seat.

“But really, what happened to us, Ivan? “ She paused “Well… aside from that bitch.”

Ivan gave her a stare.

“What?”

“I think you’re far too against her, and honestly, it’s starting to get disturbing.”

“Why wouldn’t I be? You’re the one with emotions, which I’m still struggling to understand why you ever felt something for that lady.”

“I don’t!” Ivan corrected.

“Are you sure? I mean, sometimes I think you’re sure, and then the next minute I’m like… does Ivan even know what he wants to with this girl?” Yelena said.

“I know what I’m doing. I know I’m not playing a fool, if that’s what you’re thinking, or what’s about to slip out of that mouth of yours.”

“If I do, it won’t be a lie.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Ivan said.

“Well, you don’t know that Katerina only came into your life because of your money,” Yelena stated.

“Well, you never can be too sure.”

“That was before. Not after what I know now. She was just a gold digger, looking for a man to devour.”

Ivan relaxed in his chair. “You know, sometimes I think about it, the possibility that we met strategically, planned by her. But at the same time… the way we met… it didn’t feel planned. It was very natural.”

“Remind me again, how you met?”

Ivan sat up. “So the first time we met was actually a particular morning, I was going for a run. I literally bumped into this girl and I didn’t even realize it because I had my headphones on. All of a sudden, I felt a fist hit my back. It was her… it was Sasha, staring right at me, questioning why I had done what I did. She defended this lady, stood up for her as though they were friends or sisters.” Ivan started.

“You know, I actually tried to find the lady I bumped into, to apologize. And I was tempted to ask her about Sasha and I had this expectation, that she was gonna tell me there were sisters. But it was none of that. Not a friend, not a sister.”

“And just like that, you fell in love?” Yelena asked skeptically.

“Well, it didn’t happen in one day. We met again, another coincidence. And again. And again. Till I finally asked her out on a date.”

“My opinion? It still could have been planned. Good planning.”

“I doubt that. Like I always say, we wait until evidence says otherwise.”

“How long is this going to go on for? What if you get the evidence you so desperately need? What will you do with her? dispose of her?” She asked.

“Dispose? No. She’s human, not an object. But I have to think about it.” Ivan answered.

“Okay, let’s switch it up a bit. What if you find out she was only with you for your money, and was an accomplice to your father’s death, maybe not intentionally, but because of wrong choices or bad financial decisions?”

“Yelena…” Ivan said his voice cold “Well, this chat is fun, catching up and all but it’s getting late. You’ve got to go. I’ve got a few things I need to tidy up, and I also have a friend coming over.”

“Which?” Yelena asked.

“Rodrigo.”

“Rodrigo? Oh my goodness, it’s been ages! When is he supposed to get here?”

“Any minute now.”

“Oh my gosh! I need to see him. Haven’t set my eyes on him since high school graduation.”

“But you’re aware of the ongoing project and the urgency required.”

“Yup! Fully aware! Look, I’ve got something you need to know.”

“What’s that?” Ivan asked.

“Your darling princess.”
She unlocked her phone and forwarded the audio file to Ivan.

Ivan picked up his phone from the table after the beep came in. He pressed play.

Katerina’s voice came out loud:

“I came into his life because of his money. I was actually responsible for his father’s death, and you say that is far from the truth.”

Ivan’s eyes blinked. He played it again.
Yelena stood perfectly still, watching the shock settle into his features.
Yes… let it sink in, she told herself. Let him doubt her the way I need him to.

She lowered her gaze just enough to hide the satisfaction rising inside her.
Another seed planted. Now it only has to grow.