When I Love (Vassi & Seri 3: Russian Stepbrother Romance) (10 page)

K
nocking
on the door before entering, Vassi saw the university’s laboratory nearly empty save for one person.

“Rockford.” He gave the other man a curt nod, his fists clenched against his sides.

“Grachyov.” Max swung his stool to face the youngest Grachyov brother. “Misha’s inside his office if you’re looking for him.”

“Thanks.”

As he turned towards the opposite direction, he heard Max grate out behind him, “You don’t deserve her.”

Vassi stilled. Without looking back, he said flatly, “That’s probably the only thing we agree on.” When he entered Misha’s office, he saw his older brother on his feet, his back to the door.

“I know you heard everything.”

Turning away from the window, Misha murmured noncommittally, “So I did.”

“And you know who we’re talking about, of course. You’ve always known.”

Misha’s expression remained unreadable.

Vassi took a deep breath. “I’m in love with Seri.”

“Your sister.”

“My
stepsister,
” he said sharply.

“Semantics,” Misha dismissed coldly. “Have you paused to think what Papa would say about this?”

“Every day.” He smiled humorlessly. “I’ve been in love with her since I was fourteen, and not one fucking day has passed since then that I don’t think about what it would do to Papa and our family.”

“I see.” Misha carefully removed his glasses and took his time folding its temples before placing it on the desk. The air cracked with tension, and in the corner of his eye Misha caught sight of his younger brother growing more rigid with each second that passed.

Good.
Once word came out about his relationship with Seri, what he was feeling now would just be the start. If Vassi couldn’t handle this small amount of pressure, then what he told Max was true. Vassi didn’t deserve to be with their sister, and Misha would be the first to prevent them from being together.

When a sufficient amount of time had passed, Misha finally looked up, and Vassi’s gaze met his straight on.

Good
, he thought, but it wasn’t enough. He asked slowly, “If your feelings have existed for so long, why are you telling me about it now?”

Instead of answering, Vassi said abruptly, “When you learned about what Seri did and said that night – you never spoke of your feelings about it.”

“That’s true.”

Then, Vassi had thought it was because Misha was bottling everything up inside. But now he realized it wasn’t that at all, and the reason behind it was probably the same reason why Sergei hadn’t said a word either.

“Neither of you believed Seri had changed.” Even without Misha saying a word, Vassi knew he had it right. “
Fuck
.” Vassi raked a hand through his hair in frustration. “You weren’t even there,” he said rawly, “and yet you still trusted her. You and Sergei trusted her – while I didn’t.” He shook his head dully. “I don’t really deserve her at all, do I?”

Unable to remain aloof at the sight of Vassi’s anguish, Misha said quietly, “But you know the truth now, don’t you?” At Vassi’s nod, he pressed, “Because she told you?”

Vassi shook his head. “I figured it out on my own.”

“Then it’s still alright---”

“No. It’s not.” His voice turned bitter. “Because you deserved better from me. I should have figured it out sooner, should have known she was the kind to do something so damn stupid.” He inhaled. “And selfless.”

Misha shook his head. “You’re the one being stupid now.”

Vassi’s lips twisted. “I’m not even going to argue with that. If I had really loved her, I would have trusted her---”

“
Vassi
.” When his younger brother stopped speaking, Misha said evenly, “It was precisely because you loved her – and even I know your love for her surpasses us all – that blinded you that night. It wasn’t right. But it wasn’t unforgivably wrong either. It’s the same for Papa. Both of you carried too much guilt inside you that when something did happen to make your fears come true – the two of you practically welcomed it because
then
you could stop feeling terrified and guilty.
Then,
you could tell yourself that things had really been too good to be true.”

Misha’s voice turned gentle. “But it isn’t like that. Sometimes, life can be as good – or even better than you hoped.”

“I just can’t stop thinking I should have trusted her more,” Vassi said tightly. “Do you know, when I first saw Rockford’s text to Seri – my first instinct was to think the worst of her? And she doesn’t deserve that. She doesn’t deserve me.”

“Then leave her,” Misha said calmly.

Vassi stiffened.

“Let her go back to Rockford. Time will help her forget about you eventually. Time will have her gradually develop feelings for Max, and with him, she will have the kind of peaceful life she’ll never have with you. Let her spend the rest of days with another man---”

“Never.”

Misha’s voice became just as savage. “Then make a goddamn choice.”

“I’ve already made my choice,” Vassi gritted back. “I’ve chosen to love her for the rest of my life even if she’s better off without it. I just don’t fucking know if I can be selfish enough to make her life worse by asking her to love me back---”

“Stop being so fucking selfless,” Misha roared.

“How can I,” Vassi bit out, “when every time something good’s about to happen between us, something also happens to tear us apart? It’s almost like the fucking fates think we’re better off leading separate lives---”

“
Bullshit.
” Stalking towards his brother, he snarled,
“Can’t you see that’s what got you and Seri into this trouble in the first place? It doesn’t matter if you tear our family apart, doesn’t matter if it even destroys Papa.
Because
you don’t owe any of us, and you certainly don’t owe the world anything. But you do owe yourself to be happy, and you owe it to
Seri
to make her happy if she’s what you need.”

Ah.

Vassi stared unseeingly at the windows.

Could it really be that simple?

Could he really just be selfish in order to make Seri happy? In order to make
both
of them happy?

He said unevenly, “Then I’ll ask for it.”

Misha frowned. “Ask for what?”

He looked up to meet his brother’s eyes, and smiling crookedly, he said, “Your blessing. I want your blessing for me and Seri.”

“You’ll never have it.” Misha smiled. “But you don’t really need it to love Seri, do you?”

“No. I don’t.” After a moment, he said quietly, “Thank you,
brat.
I needed to hear that.”

Misha offered his hand to shake. “What are brothers for?”

Vassi was about to take it when Misha suddenly punched him in the face.

“What the hell, Misha?” He rubbed his jaw, wincing.

Misha gave him a feral smile. “You didn’t really think I’d just smile when you decided to make our baby sister as your girlfriend, did you?” He shook his head and heading to the door, he said over his shoulder, “I’m in need of a stiff drink right now. I have a need to drown my sorrows.”

Vassi followed his older brother outside, saying pragmatically, “It’s not that bad. Another man would’ve taken her away from home, but because she’s with me, you’ll still have Seri around.”

“Shut up. It’s depressing to think you’ll continue living under the same roof with my little dove.”

“Technically, she’s not
your
little dove---”

Not wanting to hear that particular piece of truth, Misha turned his back on his younger brother and called out to Max. “Want to join us for a drink? I’m sure you’re as depressed as I am.”

After a moment, Max said, “Sure. And you’re right. I did get some pretty depressing news.” Taking his lab coat off the chair, he said matter-of-factly, “Your sister has bad taste in men.”

Misha nodded. “I agree.”

“You two know you’re just being sore losers, aren’t you?” Vassi eyed Max’s lab coat with a curl of his upper lip. “And do you seriously need to wear that when we’re going out to drink?” He glanced at Misha, who also had his lab coat on. “I’m asking the same of you.”

“Why not?” Misha and Max asked seriously at the same time.

Vassi shook his head. Whatever. The two probably just liked having their photos go viral on the Internet.

The three of them headed to a nearby bar, and after ordering their drinks, Vassi took his phone out, hoping to see a message from Seri. But there was none.

He hesitated for a second before deciding to take the first step.

He sent a message to Sergei and Fyodor first, asking them to meet with him because he had something important to say. After, he sent a message to Daniela.

I already know your real name is Layla, and that you didn’t even have a stepbrother to begin with. If something did happen between us, and you do end up pregnant, I’ll need you to submit to DNA testing. Whatever it is you’re planning – it won’t work. It’s over.

Noticing the hard look on Vassi’s face, Misha asked, “Anything wrong?”

Knowing he had to come clean, he said grimly, “That’s an understatement.” And even with Max present, he gave Misha all the facts, not bothering to whitewash any part of it.

Misha cursed under his breath when he finished. “That woman is messed up.”

“Do you think you really did sleep with her?” Max asked.

He shook his head. “There’s a very low probability, but I can’t say for sure. If she had spiked my drink, I wouldn’t exactly have been able to perform. But if she did something else – I just don’t know. I keep thinking I should remember something if we had done it. But I don’t.”

“A paternity test is the only answer then,” Misha said.

“She’s probably schizophrenic,” Max warned after a moment. “There’s no telling what she’ll do once she reads your message.”

Vassi nodded. “I’m going to tell Seri everything tonight.”

I
n the comfort
of her home, Daniela listened to Vassi’s conversation, his words coming loud and clear through the tiny bug that she had slipped in his wallet while he was asleep. The device had cost her thousands of dollars, but the price was worth it.

When she heard Maximilian Rockford referring to her as schizophrenic, she only laughed out loud. The term didn’t affect her at all because she knew it was true. What they didn’t know was that embracing her condition was liberating, allowing her to do things that normal stupid people wouldn’t have been able to accomplish.

She lied, she schemed, and she fucked to get things done.

These were simple things ordinary people would have found appalling, but for her it was a means to an end, and she was able to see it that way because she was what she was.

She continued to listen, microwaving herself some popcorn as she settled in for the night. At around ten in the evening, she heard Vassi receive a phone call.

Daniela increased the volume when the voice came to her slightly garbled.

Seri…Cedar Sinai…

The scrawny little bitch was in the hospital.

And Daniela realized she had the opening she needed.

Vassi thought he could discard her just like that, after all the years she had spent working to be his perfect match. She sent one video to Seri then sent another to certain members of the press, some of them owing her favors, the others the kind who could be paid to do just about anything.

This shall teach you not to fuck with me.

W
hen Seri woke up
, it was to find her vision blurry and her body feeling like it had been beaten black and blue. Most of the pain seemed to center on her lower left chest---

Oh.

Everything came rushing back, and when she opened her eyes again, the room she was in focused into view. She shifted slightly, turning on her side, and that was when she saw…Fyodor.

Upon realizing she was awake, he straightened abruptly in his chair. “Are you alright?” His voice was scratchy.

She nodded. “A-are you?” It looked like he had aged overnight, with the heavy lines of worry marring Fyodor’s forehead.

“Yes.” He reached for her with a visibly shaking hand.

Seri stiffened instinctively, a part of her remembering the time he had shoved her away---

Fyodor saw the look in his daughter’s eyes and knew exactly what she was thinking. His hand froze, and despair struck him as he, too, remembered the pain he had inflicted on her.

“I’m not going to hurt you, baby.”

Seri didn’t answer, afraid that she was just imagining the look in his eyes, afraid that she had misheard him.

Fyodor’s fingers clenched into a fist, and he said hoarsely, “I’m sorry. I’m so damn sorry I believed your lies all too easily.” When her face started to crumple, he could no longer bear the distance between him and his baby.

“I’m sorry, baby. I’m so, so sorry.” He pressed his lips to the top of her hair and tasted his own tears in his kiss.

“P-Papa?”

His heart clenched at the uncertainty in her voice. “Yes, baby.”

Her tears fell faster when she realized that she could really call him that again. “Papa.” The sobs came crawling out, and there was no stopping them. “Papa, Papa, Papa.”

He bent his head, touching it with hers. “Never do that again, not for me or for any of your brothers.
Da
?”

“
D-da.
”

“I missed you so damn much, my baby girl.”

“Me, too, Papa. I missed all of you so, s-so much.”

Drawing back, he self-consciously wiped his eyes, saying, “Your brothers are waiting outside. May I let them in?”

Seri didn’t answer right away.

He said quietly, “It’s all three of them. Sergei, Misha, and Vassi.” When she only bit her lip, he asked, “What’s wrong? Don’t you want to see them?”

“I do. I miss all of you. I miss us together, but Papa…” She tried to get the words out, but fear stopped her. She just got him back, and she was so, so scared to lose her father all over again.

Looking at her, he finally understood what was holding her back, and he sighed. “Seri.” When her frightened gaze met his, he said, “It’s okay. You and Vassi – it’s okay. I just want my children happy, and you and Vassi loving each other – it’s what makes you two happy, don’t you?”

She gave him a small nod.

“Then I’m happy, too.” When Seri still looked troubled, he suggested softly, “How about I give you time to think about it? You can see them all together or just Vassi first, with or without me here. It’s what
you
want that counts, baby.”

She managed a smile, saying, “I’d l-like that.”

“Then that’s how it will be. For now---” His voice turned brisk. “How about I get you a glass of water first?”

Her smile widened a bit. “I’d like that, too, Papa.” She watched her father move towards the en-suite pantry and it was easily one of her happiest moments in the world, knowing that her father was back in her life and that he didn’t hate her anymore.

“I have a bento for you, too.” His brows furrowed, and his voice was a touch dissatisfied as he added, “Nothing fancy, unfortunately, because I made it here while waiting for you to wake up.” Fyodor looked at her over his shoulder hopefully. “Are you hungry?”

She choked back a teary giggle. “I think so.”

“Great.”

As Fyodor prepared her bento, she noticed her phone lying on the bedside table and took it. There were several unread texts, but the first one she clicked was of course Vassi’s.

Vassi:
Where are you? I’d like to talk to you.

There were texts from her other brothers, too, and even Max’s, and then there was another message from an unregistered number.

Clicking it, the first thing she saw was an embedded video.

Below it was a message…from
Daniela.

Daniela:
I’m sorry for sending you something so crude, but I just thought you wouldn’t believe me if I didn’t do this. And I don’t mean to hurt you. You can choose to trust me or not. But I just wanted you to know the truth – and I don’t want him to hurt you like he hurt me. I’ve loved Vassi for years. Maybe not as long as you have but even when I dated other men, he was always in my heart. The night before the press conference, something happened between us, and I thought he was finally over you. That there could be an us – but the next day…he couldn’t even look me in the eye. He told me he didn’t love me, but he also told me he didn’t love you either. And it just made me realize – he’s been stringing us both along. He’s so twisted inside, he likes blowing hot and cold to keep us running after him. But the truth is, the only person he loves is himself.

When Seri reached the end of the message, she slowly clicked for the video to play.

Ah.

The phone slipped from her fingers and crashed to the floor.

At the sound, Fyodor immediately whipped around and was aghast to see Seri ashen-faced and tears rolling silently down her face.

He went to her swiftly, demanding, “What’s wrong?”

She shook her head, whispering, “I just don’t know what to believe anymore, Papa.” And if she was unconsciously echoing the words Vassi once said, it was probably because she now understood why Vassi could so easily lose his trust in her when she had pretended to love him for his money.