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I hold my breath as he finishes securing my seatbelt and slams the door shut, making me flinch. Whereas before he would steal a touch, brush his fingers along my thigh or press his lips to my hair, it’s as if a switch has turned off and he’s nothing but repulsed by me.
It’s like a knife to the heart. A hundred times worse after just finding out that I’m carrying his child.
Alexei stalks around the front of the car and climbs into the driver's seat.
I keep my eyes down and my hands in my lap as the engine roars to life.
I wait for the explosion. For the anger and disappointment. For him to tell me how betrayed he feels that I would be so reckless, especially after everything he’s done to make sure I’m safe.
But it never comes.
Alexei stays silent.
The only indication he’s angry is the way his bruised knuckles turn white as he grips the steering wheel.
We’re almost at the house, and I don’t want to have this conversation in front of Dimitri or Zara. It has to be now.
“Alexei…” My voice cracks as I twist in my seat. I take in the beautiful lines of his face, his dark hair and hint of stubble that I’ve grown to crave against my skin. “Say something.”
The muscle in his jaw ticks, but he stays silent.
“Please.”
He turns down the driveway, the sight of the enormous mansion making my stomach knot.
I can’t stay locked up in that house with him, not when he’s like this.
“Alexei!” I slam my hand down on the dashboard.
The car grinds to a halt, and Alexei switches off the engine, his eyes still trained forward.
“Tell me what you’re thinking, please.”
His chest heaves as he takes a breath, and I brace myself for what’s about to come.
I’ll take whatever he throws at me. I don’t care. Anything is better than this silence.
“Go inside.” His voice is barely above a whisper.
I almost laugh.
“That’s it? You’ve got nothing else to say to me?”
“Trust me, Bianca. I have plenty to say.” His voice is low and cold, and he still won’t look me in the eye.
“Then just fucking say it!”
His jaw ticks, and I think for a moment he might actually snap, but he only tightens his grip on the steering wheel.
“Go. Inside. Now.”
I stare at him for a second longer. At how far away he is even as he sits right here next to me.
My Alexei is gone. I lost him.
As my heart crumbles, I unbuckle my seatbelt and climb out of the car.
I climb up the front steps and open the front door, my tears blinding me as I try to escape to my bedroom.
