[ANASTASIA]“Welcome to Moscow Imperial Boys’ School,” greeted the woman with blonde hair, dark green eyes, and heels that almost made her look as tall as my husband.She wore a midnight blue business suit, no tie, and a smile that looked just as professional as it could get. From the little badge tucked on her blazer, there was no surprise that she was the headmistress of the school.Her name was Zarubina Stepanovna, and she had come personally to greet us.She gives me a firm nod and a smile while extending her hand to Ivan, not sparing me a glance again. “It’s an honor to be able to see the legend in person finally. Can’t say I’m not a little nervous,” she chuckles, and I notice a silver of nervousness in the way she rubs her other hand against her pants.Her eyes are fixed on Ivan, like she’s in awe, and it seems to be unnerving her from her usual confident conduct.I hate the attention she’s giving him. I just do. Sure, she’s beautiful and someone as important at a very young age
[IVAN]I knock on Ana’s hotel room door for the third time in the last five hours and yet get no response.Since the moment we returned from school, Ana has been oddly quiet.And distant.She refuses to even look at me. When I tried to coax her into joining me for lunch before heading to our rooms, she blatantly declined and walked away.It’s been five hours now, and she has neither ordered anything for lunch nor picked up any of my calls, or answered any of my knocks. I want to know what the matter is with her, if there’s anything she didn’t like about school. But I can’t do that if she won’t even open her door—if she won’t let me in.So far, I gave her the space she needed and occupied myself with work, dropping by every once in a while. Igor stayed in my room for as long as he was required. We discussed a few new technologies he wanted to try to make our security system more airtight. I gave him the go for most of the things, but there were some I wasn’t so sure about. Igor assured
[ANASTASIA]I wish I knew what’s happening, but I swear to God, I haven’t got a single clue.One minute I’m being smothered by the lust of my husband in a horny dream that wakes me all wet and bothered, and the next minute, the moment I come out of the shower, hoping the nightmare would finally leave my head for good, the real Ivan comes out of nowhere and slams himself into me.I try to fight him because that’s obviously what my brain tells me to do. But the more I struggle, the more he pushes me into the door, the more aggressive he grows.I want him to stop; that’s all I can think about. But it’s like he’s possessed by some ruthless sex beast who’s deaf to reasoning.But if I’m being honest with myself, there’s a strange urge inside me, growing and swelling and taking root stronger than ever, coaxing me to just give in. Give in to the pleasure that’s assured with this man. Give in to this monster for a moment of bliss that I know in my heart I craved despite my broken heart.It’s p
[IVAN]“Come on, Ana,” I can’t give up. I can’t. She’s so close. I want her so bad. “Don’t be so cruel.”Tears wobble in her eyes but before they roll down her face, she wipes them clean with the back of her hand. She turns to the other side and gets up from the bed. But I reach over and grab her hand instead.“And where do you think you’re going?”She yanks her arm off my grasp and skims a hand through her wet hair. She grits her teeth. “Well, it doesn’t look like you’re inclined to leave anytime soon so I might as well do the honors and leave first.”“Ana…”“Please, Ivan. Nothing more from you. I just can’t…” Her voice quivers. “I just can’t deal with this right now.”“Can’t or won’t?”“What difference does it make?”“It makes all the fucking difference in the world, Ana.”Fist clenched, she whips around and glares hard and before I see it coming, she throws everything out in the open.“I don’t know what you want from me, Ivan?” She cries, not holding back the hurt, or the anger or
[ANASTASIA]I can’t believe it. I just… can’t.All Ivan has done in the last 60 seconds is say the same thing I have already said, and yet my heart thinks it feels different, just because it comes out of his mouth?How in the world does that make any sense? How’s that even fair?No. It can’t be that easy. It shouldn’t be. I can’t forgive him just because he admits to his mistakes, just because he looks guilt-ridden and regretful of his actions. There has to be more to it. He should suffer more, feel more pain, feel more…I don’t know what exactly I want him to feel. All these years, when I thought about this confrontation that couldn’t have been ignored for a long time, I didn’t know what I expected to happen. Sure, I imagined him to be on his knees and begging me for my forgiveness, pleading with me that he has been wrong, a fool, and an utter shame in the name of humankind who couldn’t see through the lies being hand-fed to him.And although he’s on his knees alright and looks miser
[IVAN]I stomp my way down the long hallway, leading to the bank of elevators where more of my men are already waiting for me. I frown at each of them, wondering what has made them so attentive all of a sudden.“What’s happening?” I ask Igor, before we both come to a stop and wait for the elevator that would apparently take four more floors to reach us.“About that,” Igor says, and it’s obvious from the concerning look on his face that something isn’t right.Of course, I already know that. If that weren’t the case, he wouldn’t have barged in on Ana and me the way he did. But the fact that the main door was already broken, and my phone was on silent, knocking on the bedroom door was the only option for him to get my attention. I get that. Perhaps that’s why he still has both his legs and arms.I slide my hands into my pant pockets, not able to change my spoiled mood. I swear to God if someone tried to waste my time right now, I would ship them to the North Pole without a damn second th
[ANASTASIA]Just like Ivan said—and despite my resistance—Ivan’s guys packed up all my stuff and moved it to his room across the hall.I could’ve refused to budge even after they finished. It’s not like they would lay a finger on me. Ivan would break every bone in their bodies if they dared. And while these men would risk their lives for Ivan any time, they definitely wouldn’t want to end up at Ivan Volkov’s mercy.My husband is a total monster when it comes to torture. There’s no limit he won’t cross, no method he won’t use to make someone suffer.But even if I could, I didn’t. Because apparently, some idiot broke the door of my room. And even though I can still close the bedroom door and keep a safe distance from Ivan and his relentless push for us to be a family again, I don’t feel secure enough without the damn main door.I let out a loud exhale and flop down on the bed, bouncing a little on the mattress while I’m at it. A few minutes ago, I called Lena and talked to the kids for
[IVAN]“Ana, I won’t repeat myself. Go back inside and change,” I said for the third time, barely holding myself from taking matters into my own hands.An hour ago, I had asked Ana to get ready for dinner. It was our last day in Kazan, and I was hoping to spend some quality time with her.After spending my entire day discussing security details with Igor and hours upon hours of interrogation with Nikolai, I was beyond tired to even think of any more work. I just wanted Ana and me to go out and spend some time together. It had been a long time, after all, since I took her to a romantic dinner or a nice place that I knew she would like.But of course, because she’s Ana, she already had an excuse prepared: the classic “I don’t have anything nice to wear.”So, I did what I thought was reasonable enough. I made a few calls and arranged some dresses for her.However, to my absolute horror, Ana chose to wear the shortest one of all. A black dress with lace work, that’s all I’m saying. Not to
[NIKOLAI]Once we finally get to his office, Konstantin takes his seat behind the desk and raises an eyebrow. He looks kind of pissed, but not enough to end me right here and now.He might have the power to do that and carry on with his day as if nothing happened, but I know in my gut he won’t. He made a promise to our parents that no harm would come to me. And if there’s anyone I know who keeps their word, no matter the circumstances, it’s him. My very own, very infuriating brother.“So,” he drawls, leaning back in his chair and propping his legs up on the desk, crossing them at the ankles. “What do you want to talk about?”I don’t sit in the chair in front of me; instead, I start pacing the room. I glance around and find it exactly how our father designed it. Not a single thing has been changed or moved. It’s like walking into a museum of old memories.“I want to challenge Madam Volkova,” I say, almost expecting him to scoff.But he doesn’t. Instead, he tips his head to the side. “Wh
[NIKOLAI]I hang up the phone and stare hard at the ground.“Fuck you, Dimitri!” I growl, clenching the phone tighter and huffing out a heavy breath.The bastard has the audacity to make me responsible for everything that happened to Ana and Ivan. But is it? Am I really the one to blame?I look away, peeling my back off the car and slipping inside.I put my hand on the steering wheel, unable to shake his words from my mind.Shit. If only I had known the consequences of my actions, maybe this day would have never come. Maybe Ana would still be safe, and Ivan would still be breathing on his own, not with the help of some fucking machine.“Fuck!” I punch the steering wheel, growling louder.I turn the key in the ignition and drive away from the motel. I’m not sure if what I’m about to do next is the right choice, but it seems like the only option I have left. I can’t go back to Madam Volkova after my fallout with her, and Dimitri doesn’t seem interested in having me by his side either.I
[DIMITRI]I storm out of the building and light a cigarette, unable to think of anything else.I breathe in the smoke and then blow it out, hoping it will take away the stress pressing on my chest, making my lungs incapable of doing their job.I don’t know what to do anymore. Ana is finally awake, which is good news, of course.But what the hell do I tell her when she wakes up next time and asks the same questions all over again? How do I give her the answers that are sure to crush her?Maybe I’ve developed a new weakness these days—maybe falling in love makes you a fucking weak asshole—but I can’t seem to bear seeing that woman cry. I just can’t.It fucking stabs me right in the throat to see those tears streaming down her face, to see that fear in her eyes that seems to linger around her whenever she asks about Ivan.I take another big breath of smoke and then drop it, crushing it under the tip of my boot.“Fuck!”My phone rings just then. I thank God for the fucking distraction and
[ANASTASIA]“Mommy!”One word, and my heart shatters into a million pieces.Before I even turn my gaze to the door, warmth floods through me, and tears well up in my eyes.My little girl comes running into the room, her dark hair pulled back in a ponytail bouncing with every step. Her eyes are sharp, excited, and filled with so much love. Her face is a canvas of every emotion I’ve ever seen her wear in my entire life.I don’t even realize it, but my arms open on their own, my chest aching to feel her little heart against mine.But just when I think she’s about to jump onto the bed and throw herself into my arms, she stops and stands there with her hands behind her back, her little legs fidgeting as she looks up at the doctor, her small eyes seeking some kind of permission.I suppose the last two months have changed a lot. My daughter, who used to storm in and out of any place she wanted, now suddenly looks afraid of hurting me.Tears race down my face. I wipe them as quickly as I can,
[ANASTASIA]“How long was I out?” I whisper, lips trembling. “How long was I unconscious?”Lena, now standing in front of me, looks like the words are stuck in her throat. She swallows thickly and squeezes my hand, a sad smile playing on her lips.“Two months,” she says, but it feels like she’s talking about someone else. “You’ve been in a coma for two months.”This can’t be true. It can’t be.Tears burn my eyes. My heart feels like it’s on fire. “What the hell do you mean by that? How can I be… how is that even… I can’t… I mean… this can’t be…”I don’t even know what I’m trying to say, but I know I don’t believe her.Frustration grates beneath my skin. “Just call Ivan. If he says the same as what you’re all saying, then I’ll believe you. Just call him, Lena. Where is he anyway? Shouldn’t he be here? Sitting next to me, taking care of me? He promised he’d never leave my side again. He promised, Lena. He fucking promised.”“I know,” she sobs, wiping her face with the back of her hand.
[DIMITRI]A week later, we both sit in the car and stare at the huge gates ahead.“This is it, I guess,” she says softly, for the first time not so eager to talk about leaving.It’s strange how the last few days changed everything. They changed me. Who would have thought an asshole like me could ever fall for an angel like her? Nadia is an angel. She’s the most beautiful, pure-hearted, a little fiery, but the best of the angels out there. In fact, if you ask me, she’s the only angel out there.My angel.I let out a sigh. “Yep. This is it.” I turn to look at her and can’t help grabbing the back of her head, pulling her in for a kiss. A long, deep, and passionate kiss. I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of her—her lips, her body, everything about her. “I’m going to miss you like hell.”She grins, her pale blue eyes twinkling, her stubborn blonde curls escaping the trap of her knitted cap. “I’ll miss you like hell too. In fact,” she brushes her nose against mine, “I think I’m going to mi
[NADIA]I’m not sure what to say.And if I look like someone who has been slapped across the face with a hand as cold as ice, then maybe I do look like that person, because apparently, I feel like that person.Every word coming out of Dimitri’s mouth is like slap after slap.But not in a bad way, of course. More like a slap of surprise. Or shock. Or whatever I’m feeling right now that has no name.“What did you say?” I can’t help but ask. There’s still a chance I heard that wrong. Never before has Dimitri talked about my Uni of his own free will. So, to think he not only brought it into the conversation but also seems happy about it is a little hard for me to believe.He gives me a look—of course, he does—but doesn’t try to argue. “I said you’re going back next week. They’re expecting you to continue your semester and sit for the final exams.”“But what about my attendance? I’m way behind—”“It’s been taken care of,” he says, but the smug look on his face is scary as hell.I tilt my h
[DIMITRI]I should’ve known my words would get twisted like that. And of course, it would end up hurting my woman in the worst way possible.But God knows that wasn’t my intention. I just have a crude way of speaking and often forget not everyone can take it. It’s an old habit, one I need to work on changing.I cup Nadia’s face, wiping her tears with my thumb. I should be comforting her after everything she just blurted out, but instead, I can’t help it—I start laughing. I can’t stop until she looks up at me like I’ve completely lost it.Her eyebrows snap and her lips upturn in a deep frown. “You think it’s funny?”“No!” I shake my head, meaning it, but laughter simply bubbles out of me. I turn around to take a breather, and when I think I’m in better control of myself, I turn back around to face her.Only to find her gone.Whatever lingering smile on my face dies right away. “Nadia?”I glance toward the door and see her rushing out of the room.“Shit!” I bolt after her down the hallw
[NADIA]After getting another round of hot sex out of our system, with both stayed sprawled out on the carpeted floor of his office, with me using his arm as a pillow.I sigh. “I can’t believe the kind of stamina I suddenly have.”Dimitri chuckles, the deep sound vibrating through my entire body. “And I can’t believe I get to make love to a woman without her screaming within five minutes how she can’t handle someone like me.”I turn over my stomach, resting my chin on his chest. “Really?”“Yep!” He says, casually, entwining my fingers with his and kissing the tips of each one. “You’re the only one to never have complained about anything. Not even my ugly face.”“Hey,” I shush him, placing my finger on his lips. “Never say that again.”He quirks up a brow. “Why? You want me to say I’m fucking beautiful instead.” He rolls his eyes.“You ARE beautiful,” I say, more stubbornly because he seems to be in the mood to not take me seriously. I can tell. I sure as hell can. “Sure, you have scar