Haleigh. You will see, in time. ” She takes a breath before continuing, “His childhood was not an easy one in Moscow. You must give him time, dear girl.”
I nod, appreciating the small glimpse into my husband’s head, but I don’t know what else to say. Thankfully, I don’t have to say anything because Sonia talks and talks and talks all the way into the city. She tells me about her husband, Pasha, and her two children, one boy and one girl.
The girl, she says, is a little spoiled princess, but the boy is her biggest worry because all he wants to do is fight and fuck. She is worried he will get some whore pregnant. I try not to giggle at her words, but she is so frank, so matter-of-fact about her children’s faults. At the same time, her voice is filled with love. It makes me happy to see that not all parents are like mine.
When we arrive at the spa, I am not surprised that everybody there knows who Sonia is. She introduces me as Mrs. Maxim Lasovska. I watch as the receptionist’s face slightly pales before she flashes a fake smile and takes us back to change into robes.
Sonia and I spend the next few hours being massaged, waxed, plucked, dyed, groomed, and painted. I truly fall in love with Sonia Vetrov and her beautiful personality by the end of the day. The spa rushes out to gather us lunch, and I eat heartily for the first time in days.
The stylist won’t let me see my hair in the mirror, so when she spins me around, I gasp at the sight. My once solid light blonde hair now has streaks of deep reds and light browns mixed throughout. She trimmed it to mid-bicep with a few long layers added for body and volume.
I hate it.
I lie and tell the stylist I love it, though. It isn’t her fault Catia told her what to do, that she told her to cut my once long blonde hair, hair I knew Maxim liked.
“What do you think Maxim will say?” Sonia asks as we drive back to the house. She doesn’t seem nervous for me, but she does seem a bit apprehensive.
It is now dark, well past eight in the evening, but I’m not worried Maxim will even know I am out late. I don’t expect his return until sometime around two in the morning again. I haven’t seen or spoken to him since he woke me up upon his late return to question me about my sleeping pills.
“Nothing,” I say matter-of-factly as we pull into the circle drive. Sonia grasps my hand and her pretty green eyes search mine.
“I fear I shouldn’t have allowed them to dye and cut your hair, Haleigh,” she says as she starts chewing her bottom lip. The fact that she seems so worried about it causes my stomach to churn.
“Catia was the one who made the appointment. If he doesn’t like it, he can take it up with her. I am sure he will not have a problem doing so,” I say sharply.
Somewhere between my massage and my haircut, I have grown a bit of a backbone. I think I like it. I am so tired of being weak.
Maybe it is the fact that my confidence is obliterated?
Maybe it is the fact that my own husband snuck away to another woman just days after our wedding?
Maybe it is because I am tired of the charade?
“You have my number, sweet girl. Call me if you need to,” she offers.
I nod and smile, thanking Sonia for the day—the best day I have ever had in my life. I feel like Sonia could truly be a friend to me.
“Oh, Haleigh, dear,” she calls out. I turn to face her.
“Tomorrow, we lunch, and I will introduce you to some of the others. Pick you up at eleven.” She waves and speeds off down the road.
Yes, Sonia is my first friend. She makes me feel good just by being in her presence—and she doesn’t sleep with Maxim, which is a plus.
The house is dark when I make my way inside. I let out a breath, glad that Yulia is already gone for the evening. I don’t want her to ruin my decent day by being her horrible normal self. I walk into the kitchen to get a glass of water and am startled when I turn the light on.
I find Maxim standing at the sink,
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