EIGHT
Hannah
Dinner goes better than I expect, given the fact that Bay wants to run around and explore every room of the mansion.
Mikhail excuses himself after dinner and kisses Madisyn before hightailing it out of the dining room. He's like a man on a mission. Does he work all hours of the night? Is that how he's able to afford such a luxurious home?
"Come on, let's have some girl time," Madisyn says.
My stomach is tangled in knots. She's going to want to know if I've told Luka about Bay.
I haven't.
He's much too warm and kind. I'm afraid of how he'll respond. I don't want Mark to be correct, that telling Luka is a mistake, but his words keep floating through my mind, replaying like a movie on repeat.
I follow Madisyn into the study, carrying a squirmy Bay.
"It was nice seeing you," I say to Luka.
I should tell him the truth. He deserves to hear it from me.
"Don't think that you're done with me yet."
What does he mean? Did Madisyn tell him about Bay?
I'm glad I didn't eat much for dinner because I wouldn't be able to keep it down. He disappears down the hallway, and I step into the study with Madisyn.
She flips on the lights and gestures for us to have a seat on the sofa.
"Down," Bay grumbles at me, squirming to be set free.
I put her feet on the ground, and she hurries to the window, staring outside into the darkened night. There isn't much to see, but it's captured her attention, which is good enough for me.
I plop down on the sofa, and Madisyn joins me. "Have you told him?"
"Mark doesn't want me to say anything. We got into a nasty fight last night, and it didn't get any better after work."
"Was it physical?" Madisyn asks. Her expression is grim as she glances me over from head to toe.
"I appreciate your concern, but I can handle Mark."
Luka clears his throat as he stands in the open doorway, carrying a box. "I brought some toys down from the attic. Bay might like to play with them," Luka says.
Bay's eyes light up, and she bolts toward Luka as he bends down, putting the cardboard box on the floor.
She digs her tiny hands into the box, pulling out a plastic police cruiser and fire truck.
"What do you say?" I ask Bay.
"Thank you," Bay answers, barely acknowledging Luka, her attention on the plastic vehicles rolling across the wooden floorboards.
"You're welcome," Luka says and quirks a sideways grin. "I'll give you two some privacy," he says and heads out of the study, closing the pocket door behind himself.
I wait until he's gone, and I'm confident that he's not on the opposite side of the door eavesdropping. Although if he were, it might make telling him easier.
"Mark is pissed at me about coming tonight, Luka being here, and me wanting to tell him the truth."
Madisyn pulls her legs up onto the sofa and sits facing me. "It's not up to Mark."
"I know that, but we're getting married. The last thing I want is to be fighting with him right now. I'm sure he's under a lot of stress with the wedding coming up."
"The wedding that he's leaving you to plan?" The blonde rolls her lips together. "I've tried to keep my opinion to myself, but maybe you should reconsider spending the rest of your life with him."
"Madisyn!" I can't believe her suggestion.
"Do you love him?" Madisyn asks, getting right to the point.
I did love him when he proposed. At least, I thought it was love, but the more time we spend together, the more I feel like I'm settling.
I avoid her question, but that's an answer in itself. "If I tell Luka the truth, Mark may never forgive me."
"You can't keep this a secret from Luka. You have to tell him the truth." Madisyn's eyes tighten as she glances from me to Bay. "If you don't tell him, I will."
"I plan to tell him. I just—I'm not sure what will happen at home."
"You need to do what's best for Bay," Madisyn says.
She's right. I know she's right. And I've convinced myself to tell Luka, but Mark has managed to tear me down and reconsider everything I thought I knew and wanted to do.
"I'll watch Bay if you want to talk with Luka."
My mouth is dry, and my voice is hoarse. "Now?"
"No time like the present," Madisyn says. Her brown eyes shine bright like she's enjoying my torment. "Just rip it off like a band-aid."
I exhale a nervous breath and stand. "Yeah, you're right." I came over tonight to talk to Luka about Bay. "Mark's going to be pissed," I mutter.
"Fuck him," Madisyn says, overhearing my remark.
I force a smile and head for the door. Bay doesn't even seem to notice that I'm leaving. She's enthralled by the new toys that Luka brought in for her to play with. Hopefully, she won't be too much of a handful for Madisyn.
When I slide the pocket door open, Luka stands across the hallway, his back leaning up against the wall, focusing on his phone.
He glances up the moment I open the door, and he shoves his phone into his pocket. "Need something?" Luka asks.
"Actually, yes. I wanted to talk with you, alone." I fiddle with my hands, anxiously playing with my fingers, unable to release the nervous energy pent up inside.