Only Him

Chapter 31

Dimitri didn't come to bed and I didn't venture out of the room to see if he'd returned home or spent the night with his family. I hoped it was the latter because I'd rather him be spending that time mending their relationship then being mad at me in our own home.

I felt terrible about the whole thing. Maybe misguided affection wasn't the worst thing that could be revealed about someone but to Viktoria's family it was pretty big. The entire family was pretty open about everything and two big secrets, perhaps the only two within the family, had been revealed last night: Viktoria's conflict with me and the father of Sonya's daughter.

Part of me wanted to hide in my room all day but a combination of my increased appetite and a promise to Lissa drew me from the room as late morning approached.

Dimitri was on the couch in the living room, head resting in his hands.

He looked up upon my entrance.

"I didn't want to wake you," he said quietly. "I just got back."

I nodded, words sticking in my throat. We hadn't fought exactly but I was worried about what he'd have to say about the secret I'd kept.

I went and sat beside him on the couch. He reached out for me and I found myself nestled under his arm.

"How's Vika?" I asked after a few minutes.

"Confused, mostly. Hurt. Sonya talked to her and it seemed to help."

I nodded. "I'm sorry I never told you," I admitted. "It just wasn't my secret to tell."

He sighed and pulled me closer, burying his face in the top of my head.

"Thank you," Dimitri murmured into my hair.

"For what?" I asked, burying my face in his chest, relieved that he wasn't angry.

"For treating my little sister like your own when I wasn't there to protect her."

"I'll always protect her," I assured him. "I just wish she wouldn't hate me for it."

"She doesn't hate you," he said resolutely. "She's sore about it but she'll make peace with it eventually. But Roza, loving someone doesn't just mean making them happy. It means making difficult decisions in their best interest. That's what you did."

"You should have seen her that night, Dimitri," I whispered, eyes squeezed shut but seeing everything that happened that night. "She was so hurt. I think she really thought she loved him. Maybe she really did. But Roland didn't love her. What he said to me when her back was turned...she was going to be so hurt by him."

"I don't know everything that happened," Dimitri admitted as he held me tighter. "But I know that you did what you felt you must. Roland has a certain reputation in Baia. It wasn't so bad a few years ago but now everyone is aware of just what kind of man he is. I just didn't know he'd gotten to either of my sisters."

"Don't make them feel bad about it. Sonya found out the hard way and it didn't do Vika any better getting told by someone else."

"You are wise, Roza," he said, a smile hidden in his voice. "And you are full of love. You will be a wonderful mother."

We were just getting ready to head over to Lissa's when there was a timid knock on the door. Already guessing who it was Dimitri didn't hesitate to let his youngest sister into the apartment.

She looked pretty bad. I'd been through heartbreak before and I knew how rough it was. Seeing it written plainly all over Viktoria's face was hard to see.

"Dimka do you mind..?" she trailed off gesturing between her and me.

Dimitri gave me a questioning look.