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The new physiotherapist would come over a few times a week. She wasn’t that bad as I’d described to Sebastian, but he’d pissed me off so much, I wanted to hit back. I guessed I’d just have to get used to it.
“But Mommy will be scared in the night.”
“Your dad will keep her company, so don’t worry, sweetie. Show her your kitchen set and make her some tea. She would love it,” Tasha encouraged.
My palms were damp with sweat. I kissed my daughter on the cheek. She was just the sweetest child, telling me all about her friends. The rollercoaster of emotions took me under as I listened to her and watched her play. I stood, needing five minutes to process all of it.
“Where is the bathroom?” I asked Tasha.
“Straight down the hall and first door to the left. I will show you around when you come back. Sometimes I get lost in here,” she explained, and I nodded. Several moments later I was walking through a wide hallway, decorated in a stylish and soothing olive green and white color palate. Sebastian seemed to like art, for many original paintings hung on the walls, mostly abstract works or cityscapes.
I found the bathroom and locked the door, then splashed some water all over my face and took a number of deep breaths, using techniques Dr. Stephens had showed me for when I felt stressed and anxious. I stared at my reflection in the mirror for a little while, practising the breathing, reminiscing about the old, shy Marinka, the woman who used to cut herself. I knew I wasn’t that person anymore, and the deep, long sleep had scrubbed her out of me.
The time out helped and I felt a bit better once I unlocked the door and left the bathroom. I was ready to return to Lilly’s room when someone grabbed me by the waist.
“Shhhh, sweet pea, we haven’t spoken for a while and I think you owe me an explanation,” the familiar voice said. Sparky was holding me close, smelling of vodka. Was this jerk for real?
“Get the fuck away from me or I will scream,” I ground out, pulling away. I wondered what was wrong with this whole family who thought they could just bulldoze over people like this.
I didn’t think so. I turned around, my face heating in anger, and he backed off, hands held high in surrender.
“You really don’t remember much, do you?” he asked, his hungry gaze moving down my body.
I shuddered with disgust. Was I having an affair with him? Was that why he came to me, touching me like he owned me? And oh my God … what about Lilly then? Was she Sebastian’s daughter, still?
I hope what he was saying wasn’t true because Sebastian would kill him—unless he already knew? No, he couldn’t have because that man would already be dead. After a few days of getting to know him, I knew he wouldn’t want to share me with anyone.
“No, I don’t remember anything from my past life with Sebastian, so please explain what you want from me, and make it quick. Unless you want Sebastian to tear you apart,” I warned him, suppressing a desire to punch him.
He shook his head, chuckling, then licked his upper lip while insolently staring down at my cleavage.
“We used to fuck, and you liked it a lot, especially when you tied me up,” he said, whispering the last few words. The cold shiver crawled over my spine. I told myself to keep breathing and not pay attention to what this man was saying to me. I didn’t want to believe that I would even touch him, but then I remembered what Sebastian had said about his ex-wife. I was supposed to pretend to be her, so his brother must have been sleeping with her, before I came along. Now this made more sense.
Damn it, why did I have to wake up to such a complicated life?
“I don’t remember any of it, so please just leave me alone. My daughter is in the next room and if Sebastian suspects anything he won’t care that you’re his brother, he will kill you,” I snapped and then turned around so I could walk away from him.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart. You’ll remember everything soon enough,” he said, then left.
The exchange left me unsettled and anxious again.
Putting aside the whirling thoughts, I pulled myself together to get back to my little girl. With any luck, he’d leave soon and I wouldn’t have to see him for a while.
I found Lilly playing with a couple of dolls while Tasha was reading her a story, so I took over. We decided to have a tour of the house a little later.
“I like your voice, Mommy,” Lilly said, making my heart swell inside my chest. She was so loving, and I felt thoroughly accepted. At least, that was one thing that wouldn’t pose a challenge for me in the coming days. There’d be enough to deal with as it was.
An hour later, it was time for her nap. I was lost, playing with her, and didn’t realise it was already early afternoon. Tasha came to update me about her daily routine and then left us alone again. I lay down with her, brushing her chubby cheek. She was out within minutes, so then I went back down to the living room, bracing myself and hoping Sparky was gone by now.
“All your bags are in your room already, Ms. Dimitrei,” Sebastian’s man said when I entered the large space with a view of the garden.
I made a mental note to explore later. Was that a pool I could see behind the rose bushes? I figured Sebastian must be pretty rich if he could afford this. Then again, I’d been staying at a private medical facility for years. It must have cost a fortune.
“Where is my husband?” I asked. God, it sounded so strange to call someone my husband.
“He had to leave to take care of some important work-related matters, but he will be back soon,” the dark-haired, brown-skinned man relied. “My name is Pedro. If you need anything, Ms. Dimitrei, please just ask. I’m at your disposal.”
“Thank you,” I said with a smile, deciding I liked him a lot.
