Could we really do this? Could everything go back to normal if I gave us a second chance? Could this be so easy? “Ana?” He lifts his hand to cup my face, stroking my cheek with his thumb. “What’s going—” He’s saying when someone knocks on the bedroom door. I snap my gaze up to find Igor standing a
[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
He chuckles, taking his time before responding. Instead, he grabs a chair and sits down, looking at me as if he expects me to do the same. Well, it looks like this conversation is going to take a while. I grab a chair opposite him, and he leans back, relaxed. “So, how’s Ana and the kids?” If he t
[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 w
The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end as the door opens wide, admitting a sliver of dim light into the room. I hold my breath, willing myself to remain perfectly still and undetected. I strain my ears for the familiar tap of footsteps that quickly follow towards the bed. I feel Ivan’s gaze
[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 s
[ANASTASIA] OK. I’ll be honest with you. Ivan losing his shit was fun to watch. The Ivan I knew during our happy married life didn’t care about my dressing, makeup, or anything related to my appearance. Of course, I wasn’t dirty or lazy by any means. I kept myself clean, took care of myself, and
Igor stares at me with a blank expression, his posture rigid and unyielding. “I’m just doing my job, ma’am.” Of course. What else was I expecting to hear? That was getting the kick out of making my life miserable? I shake my head. So typical of you, Ivan. So damn typical of you to ruin all the fun
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