Chapter 168. Rhea Is Captured

Dust motes danced in the golden shafts of early light filtering in through the windows. Only the shuddered exhale from my lips broke up the charged silence in the dining room. Annika swiped a tear from my face, her lips trembling with her own sorrow at the pitiful sight of me.

"If you want to be worthy of her love, then earn it. Show her you can be the man she deserves." Annika rose gracefully to her feet, clasping her hands together.

"Is that what Nikolai did for you?" I regretted the derision in my tone. It came about from the alcohol, I thought. "That fucked up old man made you believe he was worthy of you?"

This time when she smacked me, it truly stung. A real slap that shook some of the buzz from my inebriated state.

The ensuing second of stunned silence stung worse.

"I know you are distraught and drunk right now, but never take your uncle's graciousness for granted. He has done what needed to be done, much like you have. You and I have always know