And I’d felt so weak like I was allowing Maksim to decide everything for me, not just our relationship but my feelings, which was complete bullshit, so even though I was nothing like Serena or Kartini or even Violet, I decided it didn’t matter.
I was older than Maksim anyway.
Older, and there I was crying over a fucking tree.
See? That’s why done was my new word.
Ash, my twin, had been like a second shadow, which I’m sure annoyed Annie to no end since they’d just gotten their happily ever after. It seemed that I was causing people problems everywhere I looked, and I hated feeling like a burden.
I was tempted to text Maksim, but what would I even say? I want to kill you?
He’d been silent since the bathroom incident, and apparently, Nikolai was flying in tonight for some sort of Family thing, which meant I had to go back to Maksim’s house and pretend that I wasn’t plotting his death.
The universe hated me; it was obvious since we could have had family dinner at literally any other boss’s house, but Nikolai chose Andrei’s out of everyone.
It put me in a foul mood for the entire day, which meant I missed some of my favorite classes because I was so busy plotting his murder in my head.
I stared up at the massive brick three-story house.
The same house I’d stayed at with Maksim’s room close by.
The house I thought would change things between us at one point.
The house that broke me.
The boy that let it.
I squeeze my eyes shut; at least Jenna won’t be here. I can at least be thankful for that as I walk toward the main front door.
Suits are everywhere, but I never really notice them; it’s just normal, having men in black—literally with earpieces in walking around the houses we all live in.
Their only job is to protect us at all costs. You’d think we were politicians or something. Then again, I guess my dad actually was one, so it made sense.
The air was crisp. My tan Prada heels were clicking loudly against the concrete leading up to their front door. My parents had already gone in, but I needed a minute because how did someone armor up when all they wanted to do was armor down when they saw the love of their life?
I had to let him go.
And tonight was the night I would do that.
I would smile at him one last time—not kill him.
I’d be nice.
I’d remember only the good things.
And then I’d forget him and try to look toward the future—one without Maksim Sinacore in it.
My chest physically hurt, like someone was stabbing me over and over again, but what choice did I have other than to let him go when he refused to quit me?
None. I had none.
And I was a fucking Abandonato.
I did not wait for a guy to finally realize what we had, what he had.
No. My dad taught me better than that.
Maybe it was because Maksim was younger, more immature. Maybe it was because it was forbidden, and he wanted to push the envelope.
Either way.
Done.
See? My new mantra.
After two more deep breaths, I power walked toward the front door. It was a double door, black massive, and twelve feet tall.
Intimidating if you weren’t used to money.
It opened without me reaching; one of the many men in suits nodded his head in my direction then spoke into his sleeve.
Ah yes, the last Abandonato princess has arrived.
The twin.
The heir if something happened to Ash since Vi had her own Family to help run with Valerian.
It was time I owned who I was—whose I was. A motherfucking Abandonato. Chase’s daughter.
Untouchable.
My steps were slow and purposeful as I grabbed a glass of champagne that they always left at the entry for arrivals.
On second thought.
I backed up, chugged one, then grabbed another and forced a confident smile as I made my way through the hall and into the very same kitchen Maksim had humiliated me in.
Nikolai was sitting next to Andrei and Phoenix; they all had their heads close together like they were trying to figure things out.
Most of the wives were over by the cheese trays with wine laughing and eating.
And the other bosses left were scattered around the room, talking, making it impossible to know if this was a serious Family dinner or just casual.
The kids or cousins or whatever we’re calling ourselves these days were all gathered by the wet bar just outside the kitchen. Junior was pouring drinks, and Serena was helping while Ash and Annie watched. Tank and Kartini were in the corner talking, and the younger kids were scattered around the kitchen and living room, enjoying screen time, and playing board games.
I’d honestly never felt more lonely.
Maybe if my older sister Vi was there, but even then, she had Valerian. I used to have Maksim. It literally had only been him and me.