All Chapters of The Ruthless Mafia’s Contracted Bride : Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

As I lie in bed early in the morning, I realize that I have only two ways of confronting this. It’s either I do my best to keep my distance from him and in that way he’ll know just how much I was affected by his kiss (I’m beyond pissed) or I go downstairs for breakfast and act like nothing happened. Like I’m not bothered at all. The second alternative is the better one, that I know, but can I pull it off? Can I sit on a table with him and act like the kiss never happened? I don’t have that much long to decide. In twenty minutes, we’re all expected downstairs for breakfast and although I suspect that he’s not going to ask Hubert to call for me, I could still show up. That way, he’ll know that his kiss meant nothing to me and that I l wasn’t affected by it at all. He stole my first kiss. I can’t believe it. I’ll have to swallow all this rage down and face this if I want to command respect. Hiding up here is a terrible idea. I don’t want him to be smug because he managed to do some

As I’m lying in bed, two days after Boris told me the truth, I come to a staggering realization. Igor is showing me more kindness than my own family, and I can find a single thought against this. He didn’t have to treat me well, especially since I’m just someone who was going to be used as bait. Now the plan failed and he could easily discard me or even kill me to prove a point. But he hasn’t. If there is one thing about this whole thing that’s making me confused, it’s the fact that I’m not sure why he plans on marrying me. What’s the point? He could have threatened them with this, yes, but now that it’s all gone to shit, what’s the reason? Is the marriage still going to happen?I don’t think he’ll let me go. I need to have these questions answered so I can have the full truth but I haven’t seen him since he left my room that day and I haven’t ventured downstairs. I just needed some time to be alone and get myself together. I had to come to terms with everything that’s happening.

I feel like I’ve been plunged into ice-cold water. “What?”“I’m sorry if I’ve shocked you but I had to say it. I’m not good at keeping things a secret, I don’t know if you’ve noticed that.”I’m certain that my cheeks are up in flames. God, I don’t even know where to look. This is absolutely the last thing I thought he’d say to me. “I think you’re very much joking.”“I’m not a man who jokes about matters like this, Clara,” he tells me. “Not at all. And I wouldn’t sit across from you and say these things if I didn’t mean them. I would never waste your time in that way.”Even though he’s clearly trying to justify what he said, I can’t really believe it. It just doesn’t seem like it’s true to me. Yes, he’s been showing me kindness and his demeanor toward me has changed entirely since the first time we met. He’s openly kind to me and the kiss he gave me the other night was a clear indication of his feelings—but I still can’t believe it. “I don’t know what to say,” I finally breathe out.

Igor doesn’t even sit down. “About last night,” he begins, “I can only say that I’m incredibly sorry for putting you through that. I don’t know what had gotten into me. I should never have said that.”“It’s alright,” I say. “Really.”The look he gives me intensifies before he says, “No, it isn’t alright. It’s far from alright. I had too much to drink and I shouldn’t have lost control that way.”I only stare back at me, unsure of what to say to him. Although I was offended by his actions, I don’t want this to have to drag on more than it has to. It’s an equally embarrassing moment for me too. “If there is anything that I can do to assure you that I’m truly apologetic—”“No, there isn’t anything,” I interrupt him. “Your word for it is enough.”Igor presses his lips together and nods. I take it as my cue to leave. I really don’t believe that anything more than an apology is necessary. I stop when I close the door behind me. I’m thinking of going back to the kitchen but I’ve bothered H

I wake up today not having the slightest idea of how crazy my day will be. It all starts with the order Igor left for Hubert. He said I could take the day off and go to the mall. Surrounded by security, of course, but nothing that I'm not already used to by now. I didn't want to go, not at first, but then I figured why not? It'll be the perfect excuse to get out of this place and relax. I'm eager to put the stress of the last few days behind me. Hubert isn't coming with me this time around and I'm a little sad that I'll have to go shopping by myself but I guess it's still alright. I can manage on my own and I better get used to the solitude because I won't always have him with me.I'm preparing myself to go out and as I stare at myself in the mirror, I realize that I'm not as miserable as I was some weeks ago. Things have changed a little and I'll say that knowing the truth helped me get past my sorrow. It made me appreciate the present a little bit more. I'm all set and ready to