Page 95 of His to Own

The urge to tell Lana is on the tip of my tongue but before I can speak, our father comes over. “Lana, I need you to give a speech.”

“A speech? What speech?”

“This is my party. You will make me look good. You will go before all of my guests and praise me as a father.”

“But I didn’t prepare a speech.”

“I don’t care. Just go. Do it.”

Lana doesn’t move. The resolve she has inside of her is commendable. “I will not give you a speech. Not after the way you’ve treated me and Elena. So no. No speech.”

He leans in closer to her and she flinches slightly. Even now, she’s still afraid of him. “If you don’t do it, I will make Elena give that speech and we all know how that will turn out.”

“Fine,” she grits out. “I’ll give you a speech. But only if you’re nicer to Elena.”

Father shoots a glare in my direction and walks away. Lana gives my hand a squeeze and follows him.

I remain by the staircase, hiding myself away.

Lana grabs a champagne glass from a passing waiter and clinks it, getting everyone’s attention. “I’d like to make a speech. In my father’s honor.” I can tell she’s gritting her teeth. It’s a problem she always used to have. “Since this is his party, I wanted to compliment him on such a fine evening. To my father, Gregory Karetov, everyone!”

The guests all clap. Maxim catches my eyes across the room and comes towards me but I back away. I can’t stay here, watching this room full of people applaud my father like he’s a good man. I hurry to my old bedroom and shut the door, breathing in deeply.

A knock at the door makes me gasp. “Who is it?”

“Your mother.”

I frown and open the door. “Yes?”

My beautiful mother with her long blonde hair and bright blue eyes. The envy of many other mafia wives because all their husbands want her. “You shouldn’t be hiding away. Your father will be expecting you down below.”

“Father doesn’t even want me here.”

“Of course he does. You’re still his daughter. Come along.” She motions me to move but I can’t. I just can’t.

“Why does he hate me so much?” I whisper.

Mother’s spine tenses. “Come along, Elena. Don’t ask such things.”

“But you know I’m right. He’s always treated me the worst out of me, Lana, and Adriana. Why? There has to be a reason. There has to be.”

“Don’t ask questions you don’t want the answer to,” she snaps. “Now get back downstairs. Make your father proud.”

“I can’t do anything to make him proud. You know this.”

“You should have gone into ballet like your sister. How could you even think you’d have a career as a writer?” Her eyes sweep over my face. “You’re so beautiful, Elena. I think you’re the prettiest of my girls. So why hide yourself in your room amongst your books? You have a handsome husband. He’s high ranking. You should be out in the world, showing yourself off.”

I gasp. “You think I’m the prettiest?”

She tucks my hair behind my ear. “I’ve always thought that. You were born out of love. Now, go downstairs.”

“What does that mean? I was born out of love? Mother, please. Just tell me. There’s something you know that I don’t.”

“Elena,” she says in a hard tone. “It’s better you don’t know. Ignorance is bliss.”

“Fuck being ignorant,” I hiss. Her eyes widen. I never cuss. “You’re keeping something from me. Everyone is keeping things from me. Just tell me, Mom. Please. Just tell me.”

“Elena, do as I say. I am your mother.”