The next morning, Artem headed back to Liana's room. He hadn't seen her since he left her there. He wanted to give her time to calm down and face the harsh reality that awaited them. When he opened the door, he was met with a desolate sight: the room was a mess. Clothes and personal belongings were scattered across the floor, as if someone had left in a hurry.
"Liana?"
Silence was his only response. He looked around, and worry began to grow inside him as he made his way to the bathroom. He tried to open the door, but it was locked.
"Liana," he called, his voice softer than usual. "It's time to go."
Everything remained silent, with no signs of movement inside.
"Liana, open the door right now."
Again, there was no response. Frowning, he knocked harder, the unease in his chest turning into a more urgent feeling. He stepped back, his thoughts racing, imagining the worst. He pounded on the door again, this time with all his strength.
"Liana! Liana, open the door, or I'm going to break it down!"
The silence persisted, relentless, and Artem felt panic beginning to take hold of him. This time, he stepped back and, without hesitation, threw his weight against the door, which gave way with a crash, swinging wide open. And there he found Liana, sitting on the toilet. She looked at him with narrowed, cold blue eyes.
He stared at her, his relief mixed with a barely contained anger. He had thought something had happened to her, that he might have lost her...
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" he snapped, his voice low but loaded with reproach. "I thought something had happened to you... That you had hurt yourself!"
She crossed her arms, and her voice came out as cold as her gaze.
"I don't need you to worry about me, Artem. My well-being is none of your business."
Artem remained silent, Liana's words echoing in his mind like an icy refrain. He had been on the verge of panic, imagining the worst; yet, he concealed the concern boiling inside him. His expression hardened, turning into a mask of indifference.
"It's not my intention to worry about you, Liana," he replied with calculated coldness. "I'm only here because I need to make sure you don't harm yourself. Remember, you're a burden I have to carry. Now, get up. We have a trip to make, and I don't have time for games."
With that, he turned on his heel, trying to ignore the unease growing in his chest as he waited for her to follow him. Liana felt a pang in her chest, as if Artem's words were knives sinking into her skin. Her defiance faltered slightly, but she couldn't afford to show it. She straightened on the toilet, her gaze challenging him.
"I'm not going to marry you."
Artem stopped in his tracks, turning to look at her with an expression of disbelief, and let out a laugh that was bitter.
"Do you think you have options?" he replied, his voice mocking. "Because I assure you, neither you nor I have many choices in this. This marriage is a necessary evil."
"I didn't ask for this," she shot back, standing up and defying him. "And if you're so eager to get married, then find yourself another bride, Mr. Vasiliev. Because I am a nun!"
Artem raised an eyebrow, and a playful smile appeared on his face.
"Sure," he said mockingly. "You should be thanking me for rescuing you from there."
She pressed her lips together, filled with indignation.
"You kidnapped me."
Artem took a step toward her, his gaze fixed and threatening.
"Wrong. I saved your life," he growled. "Besides, you didn't belong in that place." He looked her up and down, his tone shifting slightly. "You have too much fire inside and too strong a spirit to be a nun."
Artem's words made Liana's blood boil. It irritated her that he could see through her, poking at her insecurities.
"You don't know anything about me!" she shouted, her voice trembling with frustration.
Artem shook his head, laughing lightly, as if her words were nothing more than a game.
"But I do know you deserve to experience the pleasures of the world, Liana. You shouldn't be locked away in that convent, ignoring what's out here. You have more potential than you dare to admit."
"I'd rather be dead than marry you."
Artem fell silent, his expression turning rigid as Liana's words echoed in his mind. Though he didn't show it, those words affected him. He remembered Susana, the woman he had loved and lost. She had also told him she didn't care about dying by his side. But those words had been spoken in love, not in hatred like Liana's.
"I'm sorry I can't fulfill your whims, Liana," he responded coldly, hiding his concern. "But as long as you're under my care, you'll stay alive."
The tension grew. Liana, consumed by rage, grabbed a bottle of shampoo and hurled it at him with all her strength. Artem dodged the bottle with agility and then looked at her, incredulous.
"Are you crazy?" he shouted, his eyes flashing with surprise and exasperation.
"Yes!" she shot back without hesitation. "What? Never seen an angry nun before?"
Suddenly, Artem burst out laughing, looking at her with amusement and astonishment.
"No, I can't say I have. I always thought nuns were noble, peaceful souls. But it seems you're the complete opposite. Not to mention, your father was wrong when he told me you were weak and submissive."
Liana's eyes widened further, filled with fury.
"My father didn't know anything about me, and you know even less!"
He shoved his hands into his pockets and continued provoking her.
"The truth is, I don't care to know you, Liana. I'm not here for that. I do what I do for my own benefit, nothing more."
Artem's words were the last straw. Liana exploded with anger and lunged at him, trying to hit him. Artem, anticipating her move, grabbed her and twisted her arms behind her back.
"Calm down," he ordered in a low voice, his lips almost brushing her ear.
She glared at him with fiery rage, breathing heavily.
"If I ever marry you, I'll make your life a living hell. And if you're not careful, I'll kill you!"
"Fine, I'll keep that in mind. But for now, we have a plane to catch."
"Screw you!" she screamed, unable to contain her fury.
Artem looked at her, surprised by her language, and then let out a mocking laugh.
"Is that how you talk now, Sister? A nun cursing? Well, this day keeps getting better and better."
Still full of defiance and with rage pulsing through her veins, Liana struggled to break free. Artem sighed, resigned, and before she could say or do anything else, he picked her up and threw her over his shoulder.
"The plane is waiting," he said calmly, ignoring her protests.