“Thank you,” I say, taking a little sip. The jolt of caffeine and warmth gives me a boost. Just what I need right now to keep my head above water and my awareness.
“You’re welcome.” She focuses on me. “It’s good of you to play with Snow. I worried she’d be cooped up in this house while Mikhail was at work.”
“I like animals. I never had a dog.”
“Me too. My brother is allergic, so we never had one growing up. Of course, that meant Mikhail grew up without one, too. His sister, Talia, was in love with dogs. She adored huskies.” She smiles, but a touch of sadness pinches my heart.
“They’re beautiful dogs.”
“Absolutely. Mikhail got Snow for her when she joined the New York City Ballet.”
“Wow, she was a ballerina?” I’m impressed.
“The best. She was prima ballerina, and her love for music was something that touched everyone. She took after her mother. She was a dancer, too.”
“I see.”
“What do you like?”
It’s been so long since anyone asked me that, I don’t know how to answer the question. My heart remembers, though.
“Anything to do with medicine. I… wanted to be a doctor.”
She looks genuinely impressed. “That’s quite extraordinary, dear.”
“Thanks.” I almost give myself away and tell her my mother was a doctor, but I catch myself before I make that mistake and hang myself.
“What kind of doctor?”
“I wanted to go into diagnostics.”
“Very impressive, but…I suppose that’s changed now,” she states, looking around us, taking in my situation.
“Yes. It changed a long time ago.” I don’t have to try hard to play the part of the girl robbed of her dreams. I am that girl. “I knew after high school things were going to be different.”
I knew well before then, and the bastard Raul only allowed me to finish school because he’d get more money for me at the auction if I had some education.
“Well, we run a medical research charity and are based at the local hospital. After the wedding, when things settle down, I’ll see if I might be able to arrange for you to do something there. If it’s okay with Mikhail and you decide to go back to school, I’m sure that would be some experience you could gather toward your career.”
I simply stare at her. That sounds like a dream come true. Something I’d never imagine for myself. The closest I got to the medical world was helping my mother tend to the workers on the planation who’d been injured. That’s how Raul made use of her medical skills. She taught me everything she could during those times and helped me find a love for something I never knew I could find such difficult times.
I should be thrilled at the suggestion and possible offer. Instead, I find myself thrown off-kilter because such a thing doesn’t feel becoming of someone like Sophia, who should hate me.
As nice as she’s been, I feel awkward for the same reason, and I’m compelled to ask what her angle is, even if asking will get me in trouble.
“That would be great.” I prepare myself to ask the question. “I don’t mean to be rude, but why… why are you being so nice to me? Not that I’m ungrateful. I just want to know. I am Raul’s daughter, after all.”
I try to still my racing heart while she keeps her focus on me.
“A lot of terrible things have happened recently. Your father being the cause of great pain and suffering. He did unspeakable evil no one can forgive or turn a blind eye to, but I don’t believe it’s going to help anyone if I treat you badly. Not when you’re going to be a member of this family.”
I press my lips together briefly then take a measured breath. “So, you don’t think I’m to blame, too?”
A speck of hope flutters inside me at the possibility of this woman being my ally in some way. Or maybe it’s the fact that I have no one on my side. I don’t know how much power she might have over Mikhail. Nevertheless, the fact she’s here, says something. Even if it’s something small, it’s something, and something I might use. If only for some level of comfort.
“No. I don’t blame you. Unless my eyes deceive me, to me you’re just a young girl who got caught up in a war. Am I right?”
War.That’s a good word for it.
