Page 168 of Legacy
“Valentina and I are five years apart. She resents that I have a hand in the business and she doesn’t.”
“She told you that?”
“It’s not hard to notice.”
Her voice is quiet. Not bitter. Not angry. Just… tired.
I nod slowly, sitting back into the couch.
There’s more there.
A whole world she’s not saying. But then again, I’m not the man she trusts to tell things to. Not yet. I’ll have to ease it out of her.
“I noticed something.”
She hesitates—eyes narrowing slightly. “What?”
I lean forward a little, resting my arms on my thighs.
“You don’t like Vasilisa.”
“What?”
Her eyebrows shoot up, caught somewhere between defense and disbelief.
“Why would you assume I don’t like her?”
I look at her pointedly.
“Every time I mention her, you make a face.”
“I do not.”
“You do.”
“No, I don’t.”
I raise both hands in mock surrender, grinning.
“Okay. You don’t.”
She rolls her eyes, but there’s the faintest blush blooming along her cheeks. Not from embarrassment, but from being seen.
And that…doessomething to me.
“Alright, if it’s not dislike then what is it?”
She hesitates, her eyes flicking to mine. She shifts on the couch, tucking her legs under her.
“It’s how bright she is, like she’s permanently happy and always concerned or caring, it’s giving robot wife.”
She looks away before she continues.
“Your brother… he’s—” she meets my eyes apologetically. “—not exactly friendly.”
I chuckle. “Yeah, he has a resting angry face. Stick constantly up his ass.”
She giggles and her face lights up.
