Page 17 of Bought By the Ruthless Pakhan

For the first time since Mom left, I felt like I had a home.

Before, I'd lived in a house where Gary sold everything for debts. Wind whistled through broken windows. Cups on thetable were always sticky with old booze. I left early, came back late, dodging collectors. I never sat down for a hot meal.

Later I lived in basements, slept on train station benches. I worked odd jobs, saved for tuition, scraped by on scholarships to get through college.

I'd never dared hope for a stable family life. Survival was hard enough.

Ivan looked at me. Slid the steak he'd cut onto my plate. Nadia called him a cheater, then did the same with hers.

God, was I dreaming?

It was too perfect. So perfect I knew it was a joke.

And it was—

Because before I could even sink into it, the doorbell rang.

Ivan went to answer. I glanced toward the door. A woman walked in, smiling. Tall. Elegant. Long chestnut hair.

She looked like she belonged with Ivan.

My heart clenched.

She hooked her arm around Ivan's neck, kissing his cheek. "Darling, it's been too long."

Chapter Six

Anna

Clang—

I spun around.

Nadia's fork and knife clattered onto her plate. Shock flooded her face. "Mom."

Jesus Christ! She was Nadia's mother!

I shot to my feet. The chair legs scraped across the floor with a shrill screech. The woman's gaze snapped to me. She unwound her arm from Ivan's neck and crossed toward me, smile blooming. "You must be Nadia's tutor?"

Tutor?

Maybe. Yeah. I needed cover, something to hide behind. I gave a stiff nod, accepting the lie.

"I'm Victoria. Nadia's mom."

Victoria extended her hand. Heavy perfume rolled off her, sharp enough to sting my nostrils. I jerked my hand up to meet hers, terrified of appearing rude.

I should've known. Ivan had a daughter. Of course he'd have a wife. I was just some stray crashing here for a few days, stupid enough to think I belonged.

Victoria's deep-set eyes swept over me, sizing me up like merchandise.

I didn't know what that meant, but her scrutiny made my skin crawl.

I hated this feeling.

Victoria pulled her hand back smoothly, keeping that polite smile plastered on.

She seemed friendly enough, but the nicer she acted, the more I wanted to disappear.