Page 108 of Betrayal and Vows

Her face goes pale. “Where did you get that ring?”

I don’t answer.

“Lena,” she hisses. “Do you have a death wish?”

“Why are you acting like this? It’s just a ring?—”

“That was Irina’s ring.”

The name hits me like a slap. “You know that?”

She closes her eyes, then opens them slowly. “Of course I know. I knew Irina. We were friends, once. And I know who Anton really is.”

The air leaves the room.

“You… you know?”

She nods. “I’ve always known.” Her voice softens. “I loved him like a son.”

I take a shaky step back. “He said no one knew.”

Her smile is tired and full of sorrow. “Then he still doesn’t know how much Irina trusted me. How much she loved you both. She wanted you together. We both did.”

I shake my head. “What are you talking about?”

She smiles. “I told you; have faith.”

“I don’t understand. Did you?—”

I want to ask her if she sent the picture to Anton. She had to. Was she giving us hope?

“Mom, please. Help me run.”

Before she can answer, a heavy pounding rattles the door. We both jump.

She moves instinctively, standing in front of me like a shield.

The door bursts open.

Dad.

Leonid stands in the doorway, thunder in his eyes. “Out,” he growls at my mother.

“She needs me,” she says, chin lifting.

“She needs to listen.”

They stare each other down for a beat before my mother relents, brushing my cheek one last time before slipping past him.

“This marriage must happen,” Father says as the door clicks shut behind her. “Vadim just reminded me what’s at stake. If we fail to seal this alliance, the Rostovas will suffer.”

I say nothing.

He crosses the room. “Do you want to see this family ruined? Burned down by Vadim's wrath? He will destroy us, Lena.”

I lift my chin. “Maybe we deserve to be destroyed.”

“Enough.” He glares at me. “You will do your duty.”