Chapter 39 Chapter 39
Irina's POV
I lay on the bed naked and shivering.
My body hurt everywhere, my throat was raw from screaming, my wrists had bruises from where Alexei held them.
The room was dark now, Alexei had left hours ago. He just got up, put on his clothes and walked out without a word.
Like nothing had happened, like he had not just destroyed me.
My eyes were swollen from crying, I had cried so much I thought there were no more tears left.
But more tears kept coming.
I pulled the blanket over myself with shaking hands, trying to cover my nakedness, trying to feel less exposed.
But it did not help.
I felt dirty, I felt broken, I felt like I would never be whole again.
Morning came slowly, the sun rose but I did not move, I just lay there staring at nothing.
Alexei was a monster. He had forced himself on me knowing I was pregnant.
Frantic footsteps outside my door interrupted my thoughts. I heard the lock clicked and the door opened.
Two maids entered, their faces were stern and emotionless. They had seen things like this before, so they knew what Alexei had done.
But they didn't say anything, they never say anything.
They didn't try to sympathize with me. They were just as brutal and emotionless as their boss, Alexei.
Or maybe being emotional came with a price.
"Come," one of them said quietly. "You need to bathe."
I did not move. I just lay there, staring at them.
"Please," the other maid said, her tone was harsh. "Master Alexei wants you ready for breakfast immediately."
The sound of his name made me want to vomit.
But I forced myself to sit up, the blanket fell away and the maids saw the bruises, the marks, the evidence of what he did.
Still they didn't say anything.
They helped me to the bathroom, they filled the tub with warm water and helped me get in.
The water stung my wounds but I did not cry out, I had no more voice left for crying.
They washed me gently, they were careful around the bruises, they cleaned my hair and helped me out of the bathroom.
They dried me and dressed me in a simple dress, they combed my hair and made me look more presentable.
But inside I was dead.
"Master Alexei is waiting," one maid said.
I followed them downstairs like a ghost, my legs moved but I felt nothing.
The dining hall was set for breakfast, Alexei sat at the head of the table looking fresh and clean in an expensive suit like last night never happened.
"Good morning, Irina," he said cheerfully. "Come, sit beside me."
I wanted to run, I wanted to scream, but I just walked to the chair next to him and sat down.
A maid placed food in front of me. Eggs, toast and fruit, but I could not eat.
"Eat," Alexei said coldly. And I knew it was not a request. Or I face another fate like last night.
I picked up my fork with shaking hands and took a small bite of the rggs. It tasted like ash in my mouth. I wanted to spill it out but I wouldn't dare.
Alexei leaned close to me, his lips were almost touching my ear. "Last night was for trying to sneak out," he whispered. "Next time you disobey me, it will be worse."
My whole body tensed, the fork nearly fell from my hand.
But I kept eating. I forced the food down because I had to survive, I had to stay alive for the baby.
The day passed in silence. I stayed in my room, I did not speak to anyone, I just stared out of the window and thought about Dimitri.
He was out there somewhere, alive but lost, he did not remember me, he did not remember us.
And I was trapped here with his monster of a brother.
The underworld twins looked so much alike but are like day and night.
I let tears fall down my face endlessly. I couldn't bare the consequence of being heard so I muffled it with a pillow.
I cried myself to sleep.
That evening, Alexei made me come down for dinner again. But this time the dining hall was filled with his men, they all sat around the table talking and laughing.
I was made to sit beside Alexei again. I was quiet and empty.
Dinner was served and everyone began eating.
Then Alexei stood up, tapping his glass to get everyone's attention.
"I have an announcement," he said loudly.
The room fell silent, and all eyes turned to him.
"As you all know, my brother Dimitri is dead," Alexei said with a smile. "Which means there is no longer a need for us to hide."
The men murmured amongst themselves.
"We can return to our estate," Alexei continued. "We can reclaim what is rightfully ours.”
“But, boss. You were wanted not the other pakhans for escaping with miss Irina.”
Alexei shrugged. “Mikhail cannot reject me neither can he allow the other pakhans kill me. He can't afford to lose both sons. I wasn't the one who killed Dimitri. It was someone else's doing."
He glanced at me with a smirk. "And even if he was angry before, he will forgive me now because I have an heir on the way."
His hand touched my shoulder possessively.
I wanted to pull away but I stayed still.
"So let's celebrate tonight," Alexei raised his glass. "To new beginnings."
"To new beginnings!" The men echoed, raising their glasses.
I sat there feeling sick.
Alexei was going to take over Dimitri's estate, he was going to claim everything that belonged to his brother.
And he thought he had won.
Just as they were about to drink, the dining hall door opened.
Everyone turned to look.
A woman walked in, she was elegant in a dangerous way, tall with long black hair and sharp eyes, she wore an expensive dress that hugged her body tightly, revealing her curves that could make a man fall.
She looked at Alexei and smiled sweetly.
"Long time no see, Ali," she said, her voice was smooth like honey.
In the corner of my eye, I saw Alexei tense, his grip on his glass tightened so hard I thought it might shatter.
Who was this woman?