Viktor's Study, Zielińska Family Estate – Warsaw, Poland
"She's yours now," Viktor said.Lena froze. Her fists clenched. The room smelled like smoke and whiskey.
Viktor didn't even look at her. He handed Alexei the contract like Lena wasn't even there.
Alexei stood quietly across from him. People feared him. They didn't mess with him.
Lena's heart beat fast, but she didn't let them see it.
"This is a joke," she said, her voice shaking. "Tell me you're joking." Viktor met her eyes. "You'll do as you are told Lena" Lena's hand moved before she could stop it. The slap rang through the room.
Alexei didn't flinch. He touched his jaw where her hand had left a mark.
He was silent.Viktor sighed. "Lena..."She didn't listen. Her eyes stayed on Alexei, looking for any sign of weakness.
Without warning, Alexei shoved her back against the desk. A cold feeling shot up her spine.
His hand grabbed her wrist, not to hurt her, but to stop her from moving."I don't tolerate disrespect," he said.
"I don't tolerate being sold," Lena shot back.
"You'll learn," he said. Lena glared at him, but there was something in his eyes that disappeared too quickly for her to understand.
"If you kill her," Viktor said, not looking up, "it's your problem. The deal still stands." Lena's stomach twisted. He didn't care at all.
Alexei let go of her wrist.
Lena pulled her hand back, stumbling. Her breath came fast, and the anger inside her grew." "I'll never forgive you for this," she said to Viktor.
Viktor shrugged. "That's not my problem."Lena's hands shook. She remembered how this all started.
Earlier That Day
Lena Zielińska was in her boutique, surrounded by fabric and sewing machines.
Boutique Z was her pride, built from nothing.
She was fixing a gown when Zuza, her best friend and assistant, came over.
"The new shipment of silk is here!" Zuza said excitedly.
Lena smiled but then felt her phone buzz. It was her father, Viktor. When he called during the day, it was never good.
Lena stepped into her office to answer."Come to the estate. Now," Viktor's voice said, and the line went dead.
Her heart raced. Something was wrong.
Present
Lena's life had just been traded. But she wasn't going to give up without a fight.
Alexei said nothing. He just watched her.
Elsewhere in the Estate
Lena was gone. The car drove off into the night.
Upstairs, Anna stood still, shaking as she held a wine glass.
She had seen it all. Watched her daughter leave. "Stop staring, Anna. It's done," Viktor said, standing behind her.Anna didn't move. The glass felt heavy in her hand.
She wanted to scream. To run after the car. But the gates were already closing as she drank her wine.