Page 18 of Bought By the Ruthless Pakhan

The truth hit like ice water down my spine—I was the intruder. I was wrecking someone's family. The realization froze me solid.

Victoria returned to Ivan's side, looping her arm through his naturally. "I need to talk to you about Nadia."

Ivan's eyes found mine. He started toward me, but I stumbled back half a step.

Don't. Don't come closer. Don't make this worse.

I dropped my gaze to the floorboards, tracking a faint grain in the wood. Couldn't meet anyone's eyes anymore. Ivan stopped. He and Victoria switched to Russian, voices low. Soon they headed upstairs.

I stayed rooted in place. The steak on my plate still smelled good, but my appetite was gone.

Nadia approached. "Anna, are you okay?"

Looking at her innocent little face, I forced out a smile. "Of course. I'm fine."

My voice came out weak and unsteady. Even I could hear the panic I was trying so hard to hide. Nadia tilted her head as she looked at me, her tiny brows drawing together in concern. She reached out and touched my cheek.

"Your face is so cold. Are you sick?"

Her small hand was warm against my face, like a little ember. Something sour surged up my throat, choking me. I was about to lose it.

"I'm okay." I kissed her palm, already retreating. "Just thirsty. Gonna grab some water."

I ran.

I couldn't stay under that child's innocent gaze any longer.

Her eyes were too clear. If I looked again, I'd break down crying.

I rushed to the kitchen and cranked the faucet.

Cold water hit my face, bone-chilling shock racing through my veins, finally shoving those tears back down.

Outside the window, the sun sank behind the rooftops across the street, painting the stone walls warm gold and red.

I stared at my blurred reflection in the glass and forced myself to smile.

From now on, I was just the tutor Ivan hired to look after Nadia.

Time to wake up from the dream.

After Victoria arrived,she was everywhere. I didn't dare show my face in common areas anymore, afraid I'd round a corner straight into her searching eyes, afraid the secret between Ivan and me would spill out by accident.

Her presence was a constant reminder—I was the outsider, someone who never should've been here.

I had to leave.

That day, Victoria was out. I raised my hand and knocked on the study door.

"Come in."

I pushed through. Ivan sat at his desk working through documents. When he saw me, he set down his pen. "Anna, what's wrong?"

He smiled warmly, and it made my throat tight.

God, I swore I came to say goodbye, but seeing his face, seeing him smile, my legs went weak. Memories of our tangled nights flooded back.

So good. So satisfying.