I take the phone from Yulian’s hand and stare at their expressions. They look more like models on a job than a blissful young couple on their wedding day.
Anton’s face is composed and confident, but slightly detached. Marina isn’t smiling at all. No, she’s posing. Her jawline is pushed out and her eyes are fixed pointedly at the camera, though she keeps one arm placed possessively across Anton’s chest.
“They look… perfect,” I admit softly.
Yulian laughs darkly and takes back his phone. “Sure, they look perfect. But as you already know, the way something looks is the least important thing.”
“I know that,” I sniff.
“Then why do you look so miserable?” he asks suddenly. “Should I not have shown you that picture?”
“No, it’s okay,” I say, feeling bad for making him feel guilty about it. “It’s just… I guess it reminds me that they’re still married. Technically speaking.”
He snorts. “Jessa, trust me—they were never really married. Their union was always a sham, a way to bolster a political alliance that should probably have never been made in the first place.”
“I know. But at the end of the day, she is his wife, right?”
Yulian looks at me regretfully. “You’ve been cooped up in this mansion too long. How about a drive? We can get some fresh air.”
“That actually sounds amazing,” I say, rising to my feet. “Let’s do it.”
The thought of getting out a little is maybe exactly what I need right now. “Great, I’ll bring the car around and—”
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
We both turn in the direction of the angry voice. Anton is standing there, watching us both with furious eyes.
“Yulian was just suggesting a drive,” I say weakly.
“I heard,” he snaps. Then he turns to his brother. “You realize Marina is watching our every move, right? I thought I made it clear I didn’t want Jessa leaving the mansion anymore until the bitch was taken care of.”
Yulian flinches and his shoulders drop. “She was upset. I thought I’d—”
“Cheer her up?” Anton demands. “That’s not your fucking job.”
“Breathe, Anton,” I protest. “It’s not a big deal.”
“Get back in the house,” he snaps at me in a tone that scares me just a little. He hasn’t spoken to me like this in a long time.
Something is wrong.
I stare at him. “What happened?”
His gaze flickers to Yulian. “Yaromir just called me. Marina made contact with him.”
Yulian freezes. “Okay. And?”
“We’re in play. Get ready and meet me out front.”
Yulian hurries past me without another word and disappears into the garden, heading towards the house. I take a step towards Anton when we’re alone again.
“You’re leaving now?” I ask.
“Yes. I’m going to put an end to this.”
I nod. “Please come back.”
His expression softens just a little. He steps towards me and cups the side of the face with his hand. “You need to stay safe, kotyonok. You need to stay here. You understand me?”
“I understand.” He’s about to release me, but I grab his hand and keep it fixed against my face. “Anton, please. Promise me.”
“I’ll come back to you,” he says. “I swear it.”
He dips his head down and catches my lips with his. He kisses me hard and then pulls away abruptly, leaving me wanting so much more.
Then he turns and disappears the same way that Yulian did.