Mila pulls me into a hug, and I don’t let her go until Mikhail clears his throat and tells me, “It’s time.”

I turn to Vik. “Make sure Mila is taken care of.”

She nods and opens her mouth to say something, but Mikhail is taking my hand and leading me away. I just hope I’ll get the chance to talk to them after Mikhail is through with me. This cannot be the last time I speak to them.

Mikhail takes me into his playroom. I stand still, clutching my ruined dress to my body. It reminds me of when I stood naked before him, holding my wedding dress to my body. I was scared of him then, and I’m scared of him now.

“Before we begin,” he says, facing me with his arms crossed, “I need to know. Why did you decide to leave, even after the punishment I gave you?”

“I already answered that.”

He frowns. Somehow, it makes him even more handsome. “I’m asking again because I didn’t like your answer. Tell me again. Why did you leave me?”

“I’m afraid,” I admit.

“Afraid?”

“Of you. Of this.” I wave my hand around to encompass the room and all the things in it. “Of us.”

“Why us?”

“Because you’re pushing me in ways no one ever has before. It’s scary. I didn’t want to lose my sisters, so I left with them.”

“But you had the option to let them stay if you gave your virginity to me.”

“I know.” I drop my eyes to the floor, breathing heavily. “But I’m not sure I can do that. I don’t want to be pressured into giving you my body. I want to give my body freely.”

“Nothing in this life is free, Sofiya. Not in the world I inhabit. Everything is a give and take.”

“But that’s not fair.” I almost feel like stomping my foot, but I resist at the last moment.

He raises one eyebrow. “Who said life is fair? You lost your father and have now found yourself in a position without any protection. But I give you protection. I will always make sure you’re safe. I did with Andrei today, and you ran into my arms. Don’t you feel safe there?”

“I do,” I blurt out.

“So, then, what’s the problem? You feel safe with me, but you don’t want to give yourself to me.”

“I know it doesn’t make sense, but that’s how I feel.” Both attracted and fearful of him.

He nods once. “I can’t change your mind. I have no desire to do that. I want you to form your own opinions. But you need to know your place in my life. You are my wife. I protect you. And you don’t have to give yourself to me, but your sisters will not stay here. I can’t risk them filling your head with ideas of escape again. You’re mine, Sofiya. I expect you to know that.” He doesn’t say any of this in a mean or stern voice. Just calm. Mikhail knows what he wants in life, and he expects to get those things. He expects to get me.

“I understand,” I say even though it breaks my heart. My sisters will leave, and there’s no stopping it.

“Now, time for your punishment. I need to do this so we can move past it, and then once we’re done, we’ll have a clean slate. I’m not mad at you. I’m not doing this out of anger. I’m doing this because I care about you.”

A shiver runs through me. I want Mikhail to care for me. I want him to take away any lingering pain I have over my parents’ death. I want him to help me.

I just don’t know how to give up myself for him.

“Take all your clothes off,” he orders.

There’s no use resisting. Besides, I want to be forgiven. I need him to do this. For me. For us.

I let my dress drop down around my ankles, then slowly remove my bra and underwear. Standing before Mikhail naked isn’t anything new. He’s had his mouth on me. There’s no reason for me to be shy, yet I am. I can feel every inch of his gaze on me. I can feel every breath leaving my body and coming into my body. I can feel all the nerves within me, standing to attention.

I can feel him even though he’s across the room from me.

“Lie on the bench on your stomach and keep your legs spread.”

I gulp as I walk over to the bench. My heart won't stop pounding. If I die today, I wonder what would happen. Would my sisters be taken care of? Or would Mikhail move on and find another woman to marry? He was married once before. He could easily do it again.

That thought pains me—like knives plunging into my body over and over again. I don’t want Mikhail to move on from me.

After I lean over the bench and spread my legs, I realize this position puts my butt on display. I let my head hang down and shut my eyes. This will be easier if I can’t see what Mikhail is going to do to me.

I can hear him walking throughout the room, getting farther from me. Unable to stand the anticipation, I open my eyes back up to see what he’s doing. He’s at the wall that’s covered in canes, whips, and paddles. I watch as he picks up a paddle and walks over to me.

I inhale quickly. He’s going to hit me with a paddle? Oh god. My vision is dizzy, and being upside down isn’t helping.

Mikhail’s feet step between my legs. The sight of his shoes next to my naked body does something to me. A throb passes through my core. I have to resist the urge to clench my legs together.

I gasp when he places the paddle against my backside.

“I am going to spank you with this,” he tells me. “It will hurt. I will only spank your ass and upper thighs. Nowhere else. You will not be seriously hurt. I have no intention of doing that. You can say stop at any time, but then I will resume this punishment at a later date. I think you need this, Sofiya. Once this is done, you will be forgiven.”

I sag against the bench. That’s exactly what I want—to be forgiven. To have Mikhail tell me he’s proud of me.

“I will begin.” He gently taps the paddle against my butt a couple of times before raising it high, then smacking it against my skin. Thwack. I almost jump out of my skin completely. The cry that escapes my lips is loud and unhinged. Mikhail brings the paddle back down again, causing more pain to ripple up my body.

I surge off the bench, but Mikhail grabs my hips.

“You need to stay in place,” he says, putting me back into position. “The sooner you stay still, the sooner this will be over, and the sooner we can move on from this.”

I sniffle and nod my head, unable to speak.

Mikhail steadies his hand on my back before bringing the paddle back down. Thwack. I bite my lips to keep from screaming. Thwack. My eyes squeeze shut again to stop my tears. Thwack. My breath is ragged and raw. Thwack. The pain over my butt is intense—hot and searing. Thwack. I’m not sure how much more I can take.

Mikhail is silent as he punishes me with the paddle. The only sounds that escape him are his deep breaths, steady and calm. I doubt he’s even breaking a sweat.

“Please,” I whisper. “Please.”

“We’re not done yet, Sofiya.” The paddle smacks my butt, sending a burning heat across my body. My feet scrabble to get my weight under me, to get away from this pain, but in this position, it’s almost impossible.

“When?” I cry out.

“When I say so, and you will respect that. Now, stay quiet.” He brings the paddle down in quick succession three times. My cries are wild. I wonder if my sisters can hear. God, I hope not. That would be humiliating.

Mikhail is merciless in his punishment, never losing his steadiness. He just spanks me over and over again. After a while, I almost can’t even feel the pain anymore.