“Anya—” I yell, my voice desperate, but before I can move, Dad grabs my arm, his grip firm.
“Daniel,” he mutters darkly, his tone cutting through my panic like a blade. I turn to face him, my chest heaving. “Why would you want to do that?” he asks sharply.
“What?” I snap, my patience unraveling.
“You have been dating for what? Six months? What if it doesn’t work out? What if you guys break up?” Dad’s voice is sharp, but his eyes betray a flicker of concern beneath the frustration. “I could easily transfer this business to your uncle. I did not, though, because I do not trust him enough to help you out if you ever need it. He’s my brother. I still could not do it. Andyou—”
“Dad,” I cut him off, my voice trembling with anger and desperation. “Just because you have trust issues doesn’t mean I should, too. I don’t care about what is going on between you and Uncle, but I will never be parting ways with her. No matter what.”
I close my eyes and take a shaky breath, trying to calm myself. “We will work through all obstacles, but we won’t leave each other.” I meet his gaze, my tone softening slightly. “And, Dad, my Anya isn’t selfish. She will never leave me alone.”
He sighs heavily, his shoulders slumping slightly. “Are you trying to run away from your responsibility? She did not know about it. What were you trying to do? Handing it over to her? You thought she would take it so easily. It isn’t a commodity, son. It’s a huge responsibility,” he says, each word landing like a hammer.
I freeze, the weight of his words sinking in.Is that what she thought? That I was trying to burden her?My chest tightens.
“I didn’t mean that at all,” I whisper, more to myself than him.
Dad studies me for a moment, his expression softening just slightly. “Did you take this decision because you truly believe in her, or are you just being selfish, Danny?”
“Selfish?” I whisper, the word hitting harder than I’d expected. My voice wavers as I try to find the right words.
“Have you thought about the pressure you’re putting on her?” he continues. “This isn’t a small gesture, son. It’s her entire future. Did you ever consider how she might feel?”
The knot in my chest tightens further. My breath hitches as guilt washes over me.
“I have to go,” I mutter abruptly, standing.
“Daniel—” Dad calls after me, but I shake my head, already heading for the door.
I have to see her. I have to fix this.
∞∞∞
46
ANYA
I lie down on the bed, my purse on the ground. I close my eyes and breathe deeply to catch my breath. The cab broke down fifteen minutes away from my apartment, and I had to walk all the way back. Now, that is pretty normal for everyone else, but I am a homebody, a couch potato, and I absolutely hate walking, especially in heels, even if it is just block heels. If I think too much, I don’t think I will ever get out of this dress.
The room is silent. The only faint sound is that of the fan. I peel off the dress, the fabric sliding down my body like a whisper. Once it’s off, I toss it onto the chair and reach for my pajamas, but I pause to tie my hair up in a messy ponytail. With each twist of the elastic, I feel a bit of the day’s frustration fade.
Finally, I grab Daniel’s hoodie from the back of the chair. It’s oversized and cozy, the familiar scent of him wrapping around me like a warm embrace. I pull it over my head and feel a rush of comfort. But even as I sink into the softness, my mind races back to earlier. His words echo in my head.
‘I want you to do it.’
I was so in shock when he suggested it; I felt my world was spiraling. I could not believe him. I don’t know whetherit was the suddenness of the decision or if it was the decision itself, but I was upset when I could finally wrap my head around everything. I know his intentions must have been good—I believe in him—but the problem is that he didn’t even realize that he should have discussed it with me. He cannot expect me to agree with whatever he decides. This is a huge thing, and his decision involves me, so I want him to know that he can’t decide for me ever, at least not without me. My thoughts matter, too, right?
But was I too harsh? Was walking away the right thing to do? I sit on the chair, hugging my knees. I sigh. That wasn’t a mature thing to do. I should have come here with him and talked things out. He is right. I do tend to run away from issues. It’s my first reaction.
He took over his father’s business—for me. For me. And yet, somehow, he never thought it was necessary to actually talk to me about it. The audacity of it all makes my blood boil.
My chest heaves with frustration as I grip the fabric of my pajama. “Did he think I’d be...grateful?” I mutter under my breath. “That I’d just smile and accept this without a word?” I scoff.
The soft knock on the door breaks me away from my thoughts. I lift my head and look at the door.
“Anya?” Daniel asks. From the other side, his voice is low and tentative, and it sends a wave of warmth through me, despite the turmoil I’m feeling. I stand up from the chair and take a few steps towards the door, pausing briefly to collect myself. I open the door slowly, peering out at Daniel. He stands on the other side, a hint of concern in his eyes. He scans my form briefly, and I feel a flutter in my stomach at the sight of him.
“Can I come in?” he asks. It feels so weird coming out of his mouth. He never has to ask that and he knows it. It seems he thinks I am angry at him. I don’t sayanything and step back to make room for him to enter.