Page 58 of Bride By Initiation

For the first time ever, I don't know if I believe my mother. Did my father really tell her everything? Or did he lie to her? If the woman and baby in that photo aren't his other family, then who are they and why can't he tell me? And why did he look like he was friends with the Abruzzos, people I've been told to stay away from my entire life?

The secrecy is killing our relationship. And the longer they've let me stew about it, the more I'm convinced that I don't know my father at all. Who knows if my mother does either? Is she just a naive woman whom he's deceived all these years?

That realization hurts worse than I ever anticipated.

Dad tugs me into an embrace, but I don't return any of his affection. He murmurs in my ear, "Zara, it's time to let it go."

I don't reply. We've been through this, and I'm tired of fighting, but I'm not giving him a pass. For fifteen years, I wanted to know who and where my father was and why he wasn't in my life. When he finally entered it, I loved him unconditionally. I forgave him and trusted he stayed away for my safety. I gave the benefit of the doubt to my parents and their story. But after seeing those photos, I realized there's no way I can return to the way things were without explanations.

Dad's face falls when he realizes I'm not budging. He orders, "Hug your mother. She's been upset that you're treating her this way."

"She's not a victim. Neither are you," I point out.

"You're shutting us out," he accuses.

"Luca, not now," my mom states as she steps up before me.

I go through the motions.

She hugs me, and I give her a small hug back.

In some ways, I'm angrier at her than my father.

"How have you been, sweetie?" she asks.

"Fine, working a lot."

"Are you dating anyone?"

"I'm sorry, I see someone I need to talk with," I lie, exiting the conversation and cursing myself for coming.

I thought about staying away but didn't want to disrespect Kinsley, Kylie, or any of the Ivanovs.

Kora stepped up and helped me with my law career. She mentored me and gave me a job at her law firm. I'm a better attorney because of her guidance.

Also, I babysat the girls and their younger brother, Dion, when Kora and Sergey would go out of town for their adult getaways. It wouldn't be right to have skipped their big day. And I'm proud of them. Yet, right now, I'm regretting my decision to come.

I get closer to the bar, and a server steps in front of me with a tray of champagne. I grab two glasses, downing one and then setting it back on the tray.

The server, who's probably the girls' age, chuckles. He wiggles his eyebrows and asks, "Bad day?" He glances at my cleavage with a cocky expression.

"No," I reply, then weave through the crowd, engaging in surface-level conversations.

"There you are," Fiona chirps, appearing at my side with a martini glass semi-full of a blue drink.

"Thank God I found you. My parents are here," I say.

"Are you still fighting?" she questions.

"Yeah."

"And you were saying it's about..." She smiles bigger, arching her eyebrows.

I take a long sip of champagne, scolding myself. Fiona doesn't know anything about The Underworld. I've not told her anything except that I'm at odds with my parents. We got drunk one night, and I admitted I was avoiding them, but I went tight-lipped when she asked for details.

Her expression takes on a concerned note. She steps closer and lowers her voice. "Are the issues between you really that bad?"

I mutter, "You have no idea," and finish the flute of alcohol.

---