[ANASTASIA] One minute, I’m chasing my daughter through the snowy evening, the crisp air biting at my cheeks and making me shiver, trying to get my hands on her so I can take her back inside. Her laughter echoes in the winter night, a pure, innocent sound that warms my heart despite the cold. In t
Ivan chuckles and affectionately ruffles her hair. “Your mommy is right, darling. We’ll take a picture with all of us together. No one should be left out.” “But can I at least get a kiss for now?” She asks again, her cheeks flushed with cold. “Please. It feels so warm.” I feel Ivan’s gaze on me, b
[IVAN] The first time I kissed Anastasia was at her home, in her room, against the wall of her bedroom. It was after the very first time I had felt that kind of rush—the rush to claim someone exclusively for myself, to make a woman mine. At first, I thought it was because she was untouched that I h
“Don’t you dare try to do this again, Ivan,” she seethes, shoving her hair back. “Or I swear to God, I’ll kill you.” And then she storms off, back inside the mansion, leaving me alone. Cold. Again. * * * During dinner, Ana doesn’t show up at the dining table. Not only that, she doesn’t even allow
[ANASTASIA] I don’t sleep all night. I try, but the haunting touch of his lips on mine, his hands on my body, and the force of his arms around me keep me awake. It makes me realize how easy it would be for him to do that again if I didn’t fight harder. It doesn’t seem like my tough front has done
What could you possibly be talking about me, Ivan? What are you trying to do? I don’t give voice to my thoughts and instead, head over to them, combing my son’s hair away from his face. “How are you feeling today? Any discomfort? Did you sleep well?” Ivan Jr. looks up at me, his eyes holding a mix
Tatiana claps her hands in excitement, and Ivan Jr. grins from ear to ear. “I’m going to get ready right away.” Ivan Jr throws the warm blankets away and swings his legs off the bed, rushing for the bathroom. “Me too.” Tatiana squeals before tugging at my hand. “Momma, help me pick a nice dress, p
[IVAN] “Do I look like someone who gives a damn about your excuses?” I barked into the phone, standing at the nearest balcony next to our table, trying to handle my work as quietly and effortlessly as possible. After handing over the tasks of the day to Dimitri, I had hoped to spend some quality t
After our fourth round of pure, wild sex, I have nothing left in me. Every ounce of energy drained, I barely manage to pull the sheets over myself before sleep claims me.When I wake hours later, the room is dim, the soft glow of my bedside lamp casting long shadows on the walls. My body feels heavy
[NADIA]“You’re here?” I say into the phone, clutching my books tightly to my chest as I glance around. “Where?”“Outside. Meet me when you’re done with your classes.”A wide grin spreads across my face, excitement bubbling inside me. “Oh, I’m done. And even if I wasn’t, I’d still run to you.”Dimit
The Ivan I know is strong. Unshakable. Even in the worst situations, he carries himself with a quiet, effortless confidence that makes you believe nothing could ever touch him.But the man lying in this hospital bed, surrounded by beeping machines and the sterile scent of antiseptic, looks nothing l
[ANASTASIA]Ever since I woke up after the incident, I have been dying to see Ivan.But now that I’m standing outside his room—where supposedly he had been admitted—, I can’t muster up the courage to push open the damn door.I’m nervous. Terrified. And most of all, unsure.I don’t know if I’m ready
Lena presses her lips together tightly, the color draining from her face until it looks almost lifeless.For a long moment, she doesn’t speak. The silence stretches between us, thick and suffocating. I can feel my heartbeat in my ears, pounding relentlessly, echoing my fear.Why the hell is she taki
[ANASTASIA]The next time I open my eyes, I’m not alone.Lena sits next to my bed, her hand in mine, her eyes closed, as if she fell asleep while watching over me.For the first time since waking up from my so-called long slumber, I look at her carefully. She looks more tired than I’ve ever seen her
[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 m
[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
[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, w