“Your father said—”
“What did he say?”
Niko remained facing the glass.
“That you were experienced. That you would understand the arrangement. That emotional expectations would not complicate it.”
Humiliation burned through me.
“He discussed that with you?”
“He described what he believed would make the marriage acceptable.”
“To you.”
“Yes.”
I wrapped the loosened dress more tightly around myself.
“And you believed him.”
“I believed the evidence I had already accepted.”
“The photographs.”
“Yes.”
The answer sounded disgusted.
Not with me.
With himself.
He turned.
“I am sorry.”
I could not decide whether I wanted to slap him or believe him.
“Does it change anything?”
“Yes.”
My pulse stumbled.
“What?”
“Tonight.”
He walked to the connecting door and opened it wide.
“You will sleep here. I will sleep in my room. The door remains locked from your side. No one will question it.”
“And tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow, you decide what you are comfortable with.”
