Page 73 of Point of No Return

“Not surprising,” he comments, and I can’t help but notice he’s smiling.

He’s doing this on purpose.

I huff, settling back into the leather seat. The two hour car ride is uneventful, and I spend most of it soothing the temper stewing in my chest. When I see the familiar red door with a golden lion’s head on its front, that nervousness hits in full swing again. I was nervous about seeing my mother before but now- with Skar at my side- I really don’t know what to expect.

When the car comes to a stop in front of the fortress of golden steps, I certainly don’t expect Skar to climb out and offer to help me down. Or to keep holding my hand as we walk to the front door and knock.

Gretta, probably the only servant I recognize from our previous staff, answers and takes our coats. Despite the fire roaring in the lounge straight ahead, I miss the warmth.

“Welcome back, Ms. Charlotte. Good evening, Mr. Benenati,” she bows.

I’m so enthralled in seeing it all again that I hardly notice Skar’s guiding me down the hall until we reach the study.

Where I first learned of my fate.

My parents are both seated, but they stand as we enter. Eva Orlova’s smile is forced, her eyes wandering over Skar and then flicking to me. I suddenly regret my choice of dress. Her eyes practically burn through the sheer black sleeves. Paired with the lace detailing across my cleavage, it hardly matters that the dress itself comes to mid-calf.

“Lottie, if I’d known Skar would be joining us, I would’ve had the servants set an extra plate,” she flashes a perfectly-white smile but I easily see straight through the words.

Such carefully crafted rage.

“There was a last minute meeting canceled at the office,” Skar inserts, and I feel his fingers skimming my back. A gentle reminder of his presence beside me.

My mother’s smile tightens, and she hums quietly as she looks between us. “Ready another setting, Gretta,” she orders, opening her arms toward me. I greet her with a hug after she kisses Skar’s cheeks.

“I figured we’d get around to talking business sooner or later,” my father says, and Skar casually tucks one of his hands into his pockets as they chat about the market.

Skar keeps his answers short, polite, to-the-point, and I almost wonder if he’s listening as my mother takes me in her arm and we stroll about the room.

“How are things?” she delicately poses the question, and I’m fully aware that we can’t go into detail here. Not now.

“Things have been hectic since the funeral,” I answer, and it’s not entirely a lie.

“I imagine that’s why you canceled on dinner last week, right?” she squeezes my hand in warning.

I hoped we could avoid this conversation altogether. I should have known with my mother, it’s impossible. “Yes. I’m sorry. How have things been here?”

“Eva, I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure of a tour yet,” Skar’s voice is behind me, and when I hear my father stand, I know it’s too far gone to stop it now.

My mother plasters on a winning smile, her eye practically twitching as she glances at Skar. “Of course. The servants-”

“Charlotte has told me so much about this place. I’d love it if she were the one to show me around.”

Dammit.He might as well just bury me now.

“Dinner should be served soon, so… Be sure to be quick!”

Skar grabs my hand and tugs me down the hall, smirking as he calls “Where are you going to show me first?” far louder than necessary.

Once we’re down the hall and walking the corridor overlooking the lounge area, I tug him off toward one of the libraries on the left. When inside, I swing the door shut and shove him back against the nearest bookshelf, not caring that he slams into it. He doesn’t seem even remotely bothered that I do, simply grinning as I pin him, pressing my palm against his throat.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“If you think I’m going to leave you alone with her-”

“As opposed to her leaving me alone withyou?” He blinks and the smirk falters. “She’s my mother.”

“Is that supposed to change my mind?”

---