SASHA’S POV
Maria didn’t say anything at first. She just watched me, her warm eyes filled with understanding. Finally, she spoke. “Sasha, sweetheart, sometimes, it’s okay not to have all the answers.” she paused, with her glance fixed on me.
“Life doesn’t always give us clear-cut choices. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is take it one day at a time, even when it feels impossible.”
“You can’t rush through your feelings. You have to give yourself permission to feel them, to sit with them, no matter how uncomfortable it might be.”
I nodded, trying to absorb her words. But it was hard. Every part of me wanted to scream, to lash out, to force everything into place.
But I knew that wasn’t the answer. Maria was right. I needed to be patient with myself, even when it felt like everything was falling apart.
“Do you think I’m making a mistake by ignoring him?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
She didn’t rush to answer, letting the silence hang in the air.
“Only you can decide that, Sasha. But I will tell you this: sometimes, stepping away from someone doesn’t mean you don’t love them.”
“It means you need space to figure out what you truly need. Don’t let anyone tell you that your feelings are wrong.”
I sighed, leaning against the counter. “I just wish I knew what to do.”
Maria gave me a soft smile and patted my hand. “You’ll figure it out. Just take your time.”
I nodded, feeling a little lighter, but still carrying the heavy weight of indecision. I wasn’t ready to face Sebastian, not yet.
But maybe, just maybe, I was starting to understand that it was okay to take things slow. It was okay to not have all the answers.
And with that small bit of clarity, I realized that, for the first time in a long time, I didn’t have to make any decisions right this second. I could wait.
As the phone buzzed again from my room, I left it unanswered. I had time.
I stared blankly at the steaming cup of tea in front of me, its faint aroma doing little to ease the storm inside me.
My hands rested on the counter, trembling slightly as I tried to steady my breath.
The cook, a middle-aged woman with kind eyes and a motherly demeanor, stood nearby, her expression torn between sympathy and hesitance.
She had always been like a quiet guardian of this household, her gentle presence soothing during the chaos of my life.
“Miss Sasha,” she began softly, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder.
“You should hear him out. Whatever has happened, there’s always more to a story than what we see at first glance. He’s your husband.”
Her words made something inside me snap. I pushed the cup away, the soft clink echoing in the quiet kitchen.
“Do you think I haven’t thought about that? I’ve tried to listen, to understand. But how can I trust him when it feels like he’s hiding things from me?” My voice cracked, betraying the frustration I had tried to keep buried.
The cook sighed, her hand falling back to her side. “Sometimes, love isn’t about understanding everything. It’s about choosing to believe in someone, even when it’s hard.”
“You know Mr. Sebastian better than anyone. Is this really the man you think he is?”
I opened my mouth to respond, but the sound of heavy footsteps approaching made me freeze. The familiar presence sent a chill down my spine before I even turned to face him. My father.
“Enough,” his deep, commanding voice boomed as he entered the kitchen.
His sharp suit and stern expression radiated authority, a stark contrast to the warm domesticity of the space. His eyes flicked to the cook, narrowing slightly. “I don’t pay you to meddle in my daughter’s affairs.”
The cook straightened, looking down apologetically. “I’m sorry, sir. I only thought”
“You thought wrong,” he cut her off sharply, waving a dismissive hand. “Leave us.”
With a slight bow of her head, she hurried out of the kitchen, leaving me alone with him. The air grew heavier as he turned his full attention to me, his piercing gaze making me feel like a reprimanded child.
“Sasha,” he began, his tone softer but no less firm.
“You’re too intelligent to let someone like Sebastian manipulate you. Whatever excuse he has for his actions, it’s not worth hearing.”
“Men like him are dangerous, and I won’t stand by while he drags you down with him.”
I crossed my arms, trying to shield myself from his words. “You don’t know him like I do, Dad. Sebastian has his flaws, but he’s not the monster you think he is.”
He scoffed, shaking his head. “Not the monster I think he is? Do you even hear yourself?”
“This is the same man who put you in harm’s way, the same man who’s made you question your own worth time and time again. Tell me, Sasha, what exactly has he done to deserve your loyalty?”
I opened my mouth, searching for the right words, but nothing came. My father took my silence as confirmation of his point and pressed on.
“He’s a liability, not just to you but to this entire family. Do you think I haven’t noticed the way you’ve changed since you married him? The doubt in your eyes, the way you second-guess yourself? That’s not love, Sasha. That’s control.”
“That’s not fair!” I snapped, my voice louder than I intended.
“Sebastian has been through things you can’t even begin to understand. He’s not perfect, but he’s trying. He loves me, Dad. Can’t you see that?”
His expression darkened, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of pain in his eyes.
“Love isn’t enough, Sasha. Not when it comes with this much risk. You’re my daughter, my only child. Do you think I can just stand by and watch you throw your life away for a man who will only bring you pain?”
I took a step back, his words hitting me harder than I expected. “You don’t know that,” I whispered, my voice trembling.
“I do,” he said firmly, his voice leaving no room for argument.
“And I won’t let it happen. You have a choice to make, Sasha. Either you walk away from him, or you walk away from this family.”
My breath caught in my throat, and I stared at him in disbelief. “You can’t mean that,” I said, my voice barely audible.
“I do,” he replied, his expression unyielding.
“I’ve worked too hard to protect you and build a life for you to see it all destroyed by someone like Sebastian.”
“If you choose him, you’ll be choosing to leave everything behind. Your home, your family, your inheritance. Everything.”
Tears welled up in my eyes as I tried to process his ultimatum. “How can you ask me to make that choice? He’s my husband.”
“And I’m your father,” he said, his voice softening slightly.
“I’ve always wanted what’s best for you, Sasha. But sometimes, what’s best isn’t easy. You need to think about your future, about the kind of life you want to live.”
“Do you really want to spend it constantly looking over your shoulder, wondering if the man you love is telling you the truth? Is that the life you deserve?”
His words cut deep, and for a moment, I felt like a little girl again, desperate for his approval.