Page 6 of Velvet Chains
The maids finish their primping and preening, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
I hear voices outside the door, muffled at first but growing louder as they approach. I tense up, my heart pounding in my chest.
“I don’t give a fuck what you think,” a woman’s voice snaps. Ksenia. “You’re here to do a job, not offer opinions.”
“Of course, of course,” a man replies, his tone obsequious. “I didn’t mean to overstep.”
I frown.
There’s something familiar about his voice, something that makes my skin crawl.
But it can’t be…
The door swings open, and Ksenia strides in, her black dress clinging to her curves like a second skin.
And behind her… “Dad?” The word escapes my lips before I can stop it, a shocked whisper.
He looks different than the last time I saw him, his hair grayer and his face more lined. But it’s unmistakably him.
“Laura,” he says, his lips curling into a smirk. “You clean up well. Who knew you could look almost presentable?”
I stare at him, my mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. “What… what are you doing here?”
Ksenia rolls her eyes. “He’s here to walk you down the aisle. Wasn’t that obvious?”
I shake my head, bile rising in my throat.
My eyes dart between Ksenia and my father, desperately searching for some hint of humanity, some shred of concern for my wellbeing. But all I see is cold indifference and thinly veiled greed.
Ksenia’s eyes lock with my own fleetingly before she dismisses me from her attention.
“Don’t forget, we’ve already transferred thirty grand to your account,” she says coldly, her attention fixed on my father. “That’s the only reason you’re here.”
My father laughs nervously, rubbing his hands together. “Yes, yes, of course. And I’m very appreciative of your generosity.”
I can’t believe what I’m hearing. My own father, bought and paid for like some cheap prop in this sick farce.
“You… you paid him to come here?” I whisper, my voice cracking.
Ksenia shrugs. “Every bride needs someone to give her away. And since your mother is dead and you have no other family, your father was the logical choice.”
Her words hit me like a slap in the face, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. But I refuse to let them fall, blinking furiously to keep them at bay.
“So, what? He’s just here for the money?”
My father steps closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “It’s not like that, Laur. I wanted to come, to be a part of your special day.”
“My… special day?” I choke out, incredulous.
Dad clears his throat, drawing my attention back to him. He leans in toward me, his voice still low. “Laur, you’ve hit the jackpot here. The Morozovs are loaded. You’re lucky to be marrying into this family.”
I stare at him, my mouth falling open in disbelief. “Lucky? You think I’m lucky?” My voice cracks, tears threatening to spill over. “Do you even know who they are, Dad? What they’re capable of?”
He waves a dismissive hand. “Don’t be silly, Laur. I heard they’re going to rebuild the bookstore and settle all our debts. That’s a pretty sweet deal, if you ask me.”
“Dad, they’re dangerous,” I hiss under my breath, leaning closer as Ksenia turns to answer a knock at the door. “You have no idea what they’re capable of.”
He scoffs, rolling his eyes. “Don’t be so dramatic, Laur. You signed the contract, didn’t you? You knew what you were getting into.”
