Page 133 of Legacy

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Don’t give him the satisfaction.

Don’t let him see how my stomach drops like a stone in water.

I don’t ask if it’s true.

I don’t need to.

I just keep walking.

And walking.

And walking until I’m alone again.

If he wants to keep his past conquests around like memories in a glass case, that’s his business.

I didn’t ask for this marriage.

I don’t evenwantto be here.

Still.

When I close my door, I sit on the edge of the bed for a long time, staring at nothing.

Day 6

Maksim takes me out.

He says it’s a celebration because I passed the state pre-requisite exam.

One of the hurdles between me and the Bar, and I cleared it like a damn queen.

I almost forgot about it with everything else gnawing at my spine, but when he showed up with a rose and called me“lioness”in Russian, I did something I haven’t done in days—

I laughed.

A real one.

He brings me back late.

I’m tired, heels in hand, brain buzzing with sugar and wine and victory. I don’t say a word when I see Angelo standing in the living room, nursing a drink.

I don’t even look at him.

Maksim, however, does.

He glances between us before leaning in to murmur, just loud enough, “She passed, you know. Crushed that test!”

I see it.

That flicker of pain in Angelo’s eyes.

Quick.

Sharp.

He hadn’t known.

I didn’t tell him.

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