Page 23 of Bought By the Ruthless Pakhan

I stared into her eyes, searching for any sign.

"Anna," I said her name, then repeated everything Nadia had told me. "Nadia says you hit her. Says you forced her to give up time with me, threatened to punish her if she didn't listen."

Anna's face drained white. The book slipped from her hands onto the carpet.

She shot to her feet. "I didn't—I would never..."

Her shock wasn't an act. If she was lying, she was world-class.

Watching her panic, my throat closed up like it was stuffed with cotton. I forced myself to stay hard. "Anna, Nadia means everything to me. No one gets to threaten her."

Anna's lips trembled. Her eyes flooded red. "You... don't believe me?"

"I didn't say that."

"But you're warning me."

I stared at her reddening eyes. The words "I do believe you" churned in my throat, rolling back and forth, refusing to come out.

Silence dropped between us like thick glass.

I looked away. "Let's both cool down. If you really are innocent, I'll make it right."

I turned around. Couldn't look at her anymore.

Those shattered eyes broke my heart. One more second and I'd cave, throw right and wrong out the window.

But I had to stay clear-headed.

For her. And for Nadia.

The door closed with a soft click, but my chest felt like it'd been slammed with a sledgehammer.

Then I heard it—a stifled sob from inside, barely held back.

She was crying. And I didn't turn around.

Next morning.

The second I came downstairs, I knew something was off.

Victoria was up unusually early. Her eyes were red and puffy like she'd already been crying, and when she saw me, she jumped up. "Ivan, are you really going to let that tutor bully Nadia?"

Tears spilled down her face. "I know young girls like to fantasize, but as Nadia's father, I need you to stay rational. At least don't let our child get hurt."

I pinched the bridge of my nose, exhaustion creeping up my neck.

"I am being rational. But I can't convict Anna without proof."

"Proof?" Victoria's voice shot up. "The bruises on Nadia's arm aren't proof enough? Ivan, since when are you so unreasonable?"

She choked on a sob. "I know you resent me for betraying our marriage, but my love for Nadia is beyond question. I can't stand by while someone who hurts her stays in this house."

Footsteps sounded behind me.

I turned. Anna stood there.

Her face was paper-white, dark circles shadowing her eyes. She clearly hadn't slept.