Page 56 of Merciless Union
I smile slightly. “Well, I could get used to more kindness. Even if there’s no love between us.”
“You’re beautiful when you smile.”
I feel a blush on my cheeks. “Then maybe you should aim to make me smile more.”
He nods, locking his dark blue eyes with mine. “I’ll try that, too.”
We arrive at the reception, where guests are mingling outside and heading into the building.
“I guess it’s time,” I say.
Maxim holds a hand out as I get out of the car. For a moment, I keep my hand locked in his. I like how strong and secure it feels over my own.
But then I remember what Maxim said—about not showing love since it’s a sign of weakness. I pull my hand away.
We walk side by side into the reception hall.
I immediately find my father, who’s greeting guests and getting condolences.
I turn to Maxim. “I’m going to talk with my dad. I’d like some space.” Our conversation in the car is heavy on my mind. I don’t want to hope that Maxim means what he says. It would break my heart if he ever went against it.
He nods toward his family, who just entered. “I’ll check in with them and keep some of the attention off you. I assume you don’t want all these people coming up and offering their condolences.”
“Thank you.”
He walks over to his family. My heart clenches in my chest as I watch him walk away. He has the power to break me, and it makes me so vulnerable.
“Hi, Dad,” I say softly, reaching his side.
“Arina, honey.” He pulls me into a hug. “Gosh, the funeral wasn’t easy.”
“How are you doing?”
He shrugs. “At the moment, better now that you’re next to me.”
“We only have each other now.”
His eyes look sad. “Your mother would be happy about that.”
“I know she would be.” I look around the reception hall, taking in all the elegant decorations. “You did a good job planning everything. I’m sorry I wasn’t any help, even though I promised.”
He looks at me funny. “That’s all right. You’ve been hurting. And besides, I didn’t plan anything, sweetheart.”
I frown. “You didn’t plan the funeral?”
He shakes his head. “No.”
“Then who did?”
He nods toward Maxim. “Your husband. He came over one day to offer his condolences. Then he offered to plan the funeral, saying he’d liked to take the weight of it off both of our shoulders.”
I look at my husband, speaking to his family. “He never told me that.”
“Mmm. Not sure why. He did such a nice thing for us. Without his help, none of this would have taken shape.”
I turn back to my dad. “But how did he know to plan things Mom would have loved?”
“Because I sent him a list of things she had requested for her funeral. From there, he did everything else.”
