Oh my God! What have I done? Regret hits me too late. The pot crashes to the floor, and Lukian lets go of me, touching his head. His face turns red, and he looks like an enraged bull. Narrowing his eyes, he glares at me through slits:
“How dare you?” he growls. I bury my fear as deep as I can and snap back:
“How dare you make that kind of offer and touch me? I’m not a prostitute, and besides, that hit was for the past.”
“The past…” he scoffs dismissively, lowering his hand. There’s a red mark on his forehead. Well, at least I didn’t kill him. “I thought you’d forgotten all about the past. Seems you moved on pretty easily. Anyway, I was doing you a favor with that offer. If you don’t want it, then come up with the three hundred thousand.”
I bite my lip, unsure of what to do. I can barely hold back the tears creeping into my eyes:
“Let Roman go. We’ll find the money. He’s no use to you dead.”
“Actually, he is. Do you know how much a person’s worth if you break them down into parts? Roman’s a healthy guy; I can sell him off piece by piece.”
“But… but that’s murder,” my trembling voice sinks inward with every word. “You’re not capable of something like that.”
“You have no idea what I’m capable of. So, what’s it gonna be? Three hundred thousand today, or a night with me?” He folds his arms at the elbows, speaking far too calmly.
I can tell he’s not going to forget that cactus pot anytime soon. His fake calm puts me on edge. I can’t hold back the tears, and they roll down my face like little beads. I know I’ve shown weakness. There’s no point in pretending anymore. I sniff and deliberately don’t wipe the tears away. I remember how much he used to hate seeing me cry:
“I want to see Roman. I’m not just gonna take your dishonest word that you’ve got him. For all I know, he’s lounging on a beach in Nice.”
“Maybe his kidney or heart will be vacationing there once I sell your precious husband off in pieces,” he says, and his words wrap me in icy dread. He walks over to the desk and presses a button. “Serge, bring the debtor in.”
Lukian heads to a cabinet and pulls out a bottle. He pours a dark liquid into a glass and sips it slowly, all the while staring at me with a predatory gaze. His eyes linger on my light hair, recently cut shorter. His sticky stare slides down to my collarbone, then lower, as if he’s trying to see the lingerie under my sweater. I’m mentally relieved I wore jeans instead of a skirt. The silence feels unbearable, and I’m struggling to breathe. I want to ask why he did what he did to me back then, but I don’t dare. I force myself to stay quiet.
Finally, the door opens. A burly, bald man brings Roman into the office. His hands are tied with rope, and there’s a bruise under his eye. I rush to him, lightly touching his shoulder:
“Roman, what’s going on? Did they hit you?”
“Well, they sure didn’t kiss me,” Lukian interjects with a smirk. “Satisfied now? He’s alive. What’s your decision?”
“Decision about what?” Roman asks, clearly agitated. Lukian knocks the ground out from under me, dropping the bombshell:
“I offered her a deal: one night with me in exchange for your debt.”
Outrage flashes in my husband’s eyes. He glares at Lukian with hatred, then turns his gaze sharply to me:
“Alina, I’m so sorry. I never wanted it to come to this,” he says, his eyes like those of a guilty puppy, stirring pity in my heart. I grab his cold hand and feel him trembling:
“Why did you need so much money?”
“For you. I wanted to start my own business, but I lost everything.”
“Sure you did,” Lukian mutters, suddenly bursting into laughter. He spreads his arms, takes a sip from his glass, and turns to the window. I try to ignore him. Roman keeps trembling:
“You’ll do it for me, right?”
His words strike me like lightning. I must’ve misheard him. I furrow my brow:
“Do what?”
“Well…” Roman hesitates for a second, then blurts out, “Give him a night?”
In that moment, something inside me breaks. Is Roman really handing me over to another man? What about his love for me? I don’t understand what’s happening. I let go of his hand and run my palm over my face, as if it could erase the horror I’ve learned today. Anger poisons my soul, and I lash out:
“Are you serious? That’s betrayal. I can’t cheat on you.”
“Alina, he’ll forgive the debt. One night in exchange for my life.”
Sure, compared to a human life, one night doesn’t seem like such a high price. But this isn’t just anyone—it’s Lukian. Memories of his intoxicating touch flood back, igniting a fire in my stomach. I remember all too well how he could lift me to the heavens and then shove me off the edge of a cliff. That fall was too painful, leaving my heart shattered. I narrow my eyes, hoping I’ve misunderstood something, missed a detail.
“You’re asking me to become a prostitute?”
“Not a prostitute. You wouldn’t be doing this all the time,” Roman says, catching my outraged look and wincing pitifully. “Just once. I promise, we’ll forget this like a bad dream and never bring it up again. We’ll erase this night from our memories—the night you save me.”
“I can’t,” I say as rivers of tears stream down my face. I don’t know what’s worse: how easily Roman talks about betrayal or the situation we’re in.
“Then they’ll kill me. Please, do what he wants, and by morning, we’ll be free.”
Roman’s words mercilessly tear at my heart. I feel responsible for his life. Tears choke me, a bitter lump clogging my throat. Lukian can’t take it anymore and slams his glass down on the table:
“I think we’ve heard and seen enough. Take him out of here.”
I watch silently as Roman leaves the room. I wipe away the useless tears and try to calm myself. I muster the courage to finally ask what’s been bothering me from the start:
“Is this your way of getting revenge? You could find any girl for your pleasure, but instead, you’re forcing me. It’s not even about the money. There’s something else going on.”
His lips press into a thin line, and I know I’ve hit the mark. I just don’t understand why I’ve earned his hatred. If anyone should hate, it’s me. He’s the one who acted like a jerk. Lukian pointedly ignores my question and furrows his brows:
“What’s your decision? Are you saving your husband, or will you let me decide his fate? You heard him—he doesn’t mind if you spend the night with me.”
“Why do you need this?” I forget my fear and look him in the eye with defiance. The corners of his lips curl up slightly:
“Let’s just say I’ve missed you.”
Liar! The bastard. I feel trapped on all sides. One wrong move, and I’ll be crushed. I know Lukian is incredibly determined. Once he sets his mind on something, nothing can stop him. He’s created an illusion of choice for me, but in reality, I have no say. I grit my teeth, hoping this night will be erased from my memory forever. Fine, Lukian, you’ll get your night. I’ll make sure you regret this decision. You’ll remember this night for a long time. Finally, I say what he’s been dying to hear:
“Alright, I agree.”