A FEW MOMENTS EARLIER•••
[Nikolai]
After my father's decision, I retreated to my room without dinner. I'd be damned if I sat at that table and made pleasant conversation with anyone while the rest of my family pretended this farce was normal.
I knew just how easily the maids could clean out a room for her use. Maybe they'll need an hour or two, but no. Father saw that option as an inconvenient one.
And no, I wasn't about to sleep on the floor or even the couch to avoid sharing a bed with her. I had my limits, and making myself physically uncomfortable out of some misguided sense of chivalry wasn't one of them. I wasn't that generous.
After dinner, Phoebe spent time with Luna and Camilla. When she finally returned to my bedroom, she disappeared into the bathroom for her shower. I'd tak
