Consumed by Deception (Deception Trilogy #3) by Rina Kent

You’re stronger than this, Lia.

My hand trembles on the doorknob as I slowly turn it and crack the door. But instead of going inside, I remain at the threshold, staring at the small opening through which a patch of the white wall is visible. The beeping sound of the machine beats down my chest and through my bones.

I’d hoped Boris would stop me from going into the guest house, or that Kolya would magically appear by my side and tell me in his monotone voice that “the boss ordered me to stay away.”

None of that happened.

Instead, Boris stepped aside, not bothering to stop me. After the heart-to-heart I had with Adrian last night, I can tell he’s giving me more leeway. He’s not the type of man who gives second chances, as Yan likes to remind me, so I’m grateful that he’s trying, that he’s taking a different path that doesn’t include punishing or bestowing me with his neglectful silent treatment.

I’m not an idiot. I know that Adrian’s newfound trust is fragile at best. If I show any sign of siding with Luca—or anyone aside from him—his wrath will be the most dangerous I’ve ever witnessed.

And because he’s trying, in his own way, I need to do the same. In order to get rid of my visceral nightmares, I have to take care of the source. Namely, the woman lying in bed.

Since it’s nighttime, there’s a soft light in her plain room that looks right out of a hospital. The nurse probably keeps the light on for when she comes to check on her. I noticed her leaving the building earlier and that’s when I gathered my courage and came here right after I put Jeremy to bed.

I leave the door ajar as I approach the bed on which Winter sleeps. Her eyes are closed this time, but her skin is less pale, a bit flushed, as if blood is pumping harder in her veins.

One of her frail hands lies on her stomach and the other is by her side, an IV tube punctures her skin and is attached to a bag hung above her head.

I stare at the door to make sure it’s open and I’m not trapped here with her. She might be comatose, but she scares me. Maybe not like when I thought she was Lia and I’d stolen her husband, but the ominous feeling is still there.

It’s probably my stupid guilt.

“I’m so sorry, Winter,” I whisper. “I shouldn’t have gotten you involved in this life. I shouldn’t have cut your free wings and forced you into this bed. I’m so…so sorry.”

I want to say more, to apologize more and make amends, but what’s the point? She’s motionless while I’m healthy.

Well…almost healthy.

After all, I paid for the sin I committed by living as her and losing my family, even if only for a while. Adrian also said that my abdomen scar is from when I fell from the cliff, not a birth scar as I believed in my other identity. I felt Winter’s loss so viscerally because deep down, I missed Jeremy to the point of madness.

I flop onto a chair by her bedside. “I’m sorry I put you through this, Winter.”

“She put herself through this.”

I lift my head to find my husband leaning against the doorframe, his arms folded over his developed chest and his long legs crossed at the ankles. He’s in black pants, a white shirt, and an open dark brown cashmere coat that reaches his knees.

He’s always dressed so simple yet so elegant.

He must’ve just finished working, because his office door was closed when I passed it earlier.

“You scared me,” I murmur.

“Then you shouldn’t have come here.”

“I can’t keep avoiding her forever while we live under the same roof.”

“You’re not living under the same roof.”

“Fine. Same property.”

“Then I can move her away.”

“Away…where?” I sound as spooked as I feel, probably because I know what life means in Adrian’s dictionary—nothing.

“Anywhere but here.”

“No. She’s like this because of us. We need to take responsibility.”

“Responsibility for what? Did you force her to switch places with you?”

“Of course not.”

“Then I’m taking no responsibility for a choice she made on her own.”

“Did hitting her head also happen because of a choice she made?”

“Yes. She tried to run away, tripped, and cracked her head.”

“Really?” I frown. I thought he’d caused her to be like this somehow.

“If I’d hurt her, I wouldn’t be ashamed to admit it. She took your place and that alone is punishable by death according to me.”

“Is there anything that’s not punishable by death according to you?”

“Not really.”

“Death is supposed to be the last possible resort, not the first.”

“Not to me. I don’t believe in second chances, Lenochka.”

“But you…gave me one. Right?”

“You’re the exception.”

I get what he’s saying without him having to voice it aloud. This is the only chance he’ll give me, so I better use it well.

Not that I didn’t know already.

“How did you know I was here?” I opt to change the subject. “Let me guess, Boris or Kolya.”

“Kolya.”

I scoff. “What a perfect right-hand man. You spend more time with him than with anyone else, you know. If you swung in the other direction, he would’ve been your model wife.”