“You were seen in the company of Aliev. And more than once. Say it’s a joke,” Vadim demands. “It’s not a joke,” I answer, staring into his burning anger-filled eyes. “Are you in your right mind?! Karina, this sounds like complete nonsense. Pure delusion. I can’t make sense of it—” “You’ll have to believe me…” I say hoarsely.
He braces his palms on the armrests of the chair I’m sitting in. Looms over me, jaw working. He presses his gaze, enunciating every word: “I want you to cut off all contact with him. And this isn’t a request.”
***
For seven years I was the perfect wife to businessman Vadim Balashov. The perfect mother for our daughter. It all collapsed the day I found out he had a mistress. Even then, I understood that I was crossing the line—agreeing to a date with Denis Aliev, the man my husband considers his personal enemy.