I exited the bathroom quickly, trying to ignore the heavy feeling that hung in my chest after the conversation with Mikaela. When I arrived at the main hall, Julian walked straight up to me, his expression full of curiosity."Belva, are you okay?" he asked, but before I could answer, he continued, "You look like you just talked to a ghost."I almost laughed bitterly. It’s a ghost of the past that wouldn't leave."I want to go home," I said, cutting off whatever else he wanted to say.Julian looked surprised for a moment, but he soon nodded. "Alright. If you want to go home, let's go home."Without another word, I followed him outside. An incredible night breeze greeted us as we walked to the car. I let out a long breath, trying to calm my chaotic mind.Once we were seated in the car, Julian started talking."You know, parties like this are always full of little dramas," he said as he turned the steering wheel, heading down the deserted streets. "People making small talk, pretending to
I stood in front of the stove, busy stirring the pancake batter, my hair still wrapped in rollers.The sound of steps running across the wooden floor made me let out a long sigh. Max, with seemingly endless energy, kept running from one end of the house to the other, even though Clara had tried to catch him to put on his pre-kindergarten uniform."Maximus Superman, stop running around!" Clara called out from the living room, her breathing starting to sound a little tired. She held the little navy blue uniform in one hand while the other was outstretched, trying to grab Max, who was nimbly dodging. "If you don't stop, we won't make it in time, Superman!""But I want to play!" Max replied in a loud voice.I rolled my eyes as I poured pancake batter onto the hot griddle, producing a soothing sizzling sound. "Maxie, listen to Cece. Or you won't get to eat Mommy's pancakes!"Max stopped suddenly. The little boy turned his head towards the kitchen with dilated eyes. "Pancakes? With chocolate
The five-star restaurant, with large glass and inviting modern decor, looked luxurious even from the outside. Julian was already waiting for me at a table by the window, waving enthusiastically as I entered."Lunch at a place like this? You really know how to spend money, Julian," I said as I sat down."Good investment for my lunch date," he replies, grinning.We order, and for a few minutes, Julian starts rambling on about various things, projects, annoying clients, and even his bad experience with food at a meeting in Canada. I was afraid I'd gotten comfortable with his incoherent ramblings, but I felt a little more relaxed, even though my mind was still in turmoil.When the food arrived, I stirred the soup slowly in front of me, trying to figure out how to say something that had been nagging at me."Julian," I finally said, looking at him carefully."Hm?" He looked at me as he spooned his food."You know I'm working on a big project, right?""Of course," he replied. "That Lantum Min
"Let go of me, Pascha," I hiss, trying to pull my hand from his grasp.He didn't move. Instead, he stepped closer, making me back away until my back was against the wall. My heart skipped a beat, and I felt like I couldn't breathe."Five years, Belva," he whispered, full of something dark. "Five years, and you think you can escape everything?"I tried to open my mouth to reply, but he leaned in before I could say anything.His lips crashed into mine, hard and demanding.It felt like fire exploding in my chest—anger, shock, and something else I didn't want to admit. I tried to push him away, but he was stronger, and the kiss deepened, consuming every second that passed.Finally, I managed to push him hard enough to make him take a step back. I looked up at him with bated breath, my eyes filled with anger that I couldn't put into words."What the hell were you thinking, asshole?" My voice trembled, louder than I intended.He leaned casually against the sink, a maddening smirk tugging at
The darkness slowly faded, and I felt like I was being pulled back to reality. Pain radiated throughout my body like small waves that never stopped. My eyes opened slowly, trying to adjust to the dim lamplight hanging from the ceiling of the room.I didn't recognize this place. The room was spacious and luxurious, with neutral-coloured walls. My bed was soft and too comfortable for an ordinary hospital.I tried to move my body, but the stinging pain struck immediately. I winced, looked down at my bandaged right hand and felt something poking in my arm-an IV.What had happened?Then, the fragments of events started to come back.A loud crash. The glass shattering. The pain that hit like a hurricane. And then... the shadow.Pascha.I groaned softly, trying to rise slightly despite my body's loud protests. It was then that I noticed the large window on the side of the room, revealing the glittering night view of San Francisco.It was already night.Panic immediately struck me."Max..." I
My body felt more refreshed. I rested my head on the pillow and watched Max, who was busy drawing on a table in the corner of the room. Clara sat on a chair near my bed, scrolling through the screen of her phone, occasionally smiling at Max.Max and Clara has been here for two hours, just like I asked. I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't seen their faces as soon as I opened my eyes.This morning began with a bit of luck. A friendly nurse told me that Pascha had left early in the morning before I had even woken up. There was "important business" he had to take care of, she said. That gave me a little breathing space and calmed my longing for Max, at least for now.But when the bedroom door creaked open, all that peace was gone in an instant.Jacob walked in.He was dressed in his doctor's coat. His eyes immediately caught Max's presence, and my eyebrows immediately knitted together.Max, without any awkwardness, looked at him and smiled kindly. "Hello, Doc," Max greeted inno
When the bedroom door closed behind Clara and Max, I let out a long breath, feeling a huge weight lifted from my chest. I didn't know what would happen if Pascha saw Max. The worst-case scenario that kept running through my mind was a nightmare that I wanted to avoid at all costs.I leaned my head against the pillow, trying to calm myself down. But the calm didn't last long.The door to the room opened without a knock, and I knew immediately who entered before even seeing them. The steps were too slow but, sure, too recognizable.Pascha Romanov.He appeared with cold, domineering, as if the world spun according to his will. The black shirt he wore accentuated his increasingly masculine body, and the thin, well-groomed beard added a more mature impression than five years ago."How are you feeling?" he asked flatly, closing the door behind him."I'm fine,"He stepped closer, his eyes sweeping over my body with a look I found hard to interpret."Has anyone come to see you?"I let out the
"I'm going home alone,""No," he replied curtly.I looked up, staring at him with a furrowed brow. "What do you mean by no?""I'll drive you," he said ice-cold like it was a non-negotiable decision."I can go home by myself. I've already booked a cab." I snorted, trying to contain my mounting frustration."Cancel it."I stared at him, incredulous. "You can't force me to accept your help."He crossed his arms over his chest, standing tall like a marble statue. "You just got out of the hospital. I won't let you go home alone.""And I don't need you to decide what I can or cannot do." I retorted in a sharp tone."You're stubborn," he said flatly."I'm stubborn? You're the one who doesn't know when to stop!""You don't know what you're doing," he said, his eyes narrowing slightly. "What if you pass out in the middle of the road? What if something happens?""I'm fine!" I almost shouted, stepping closer to him. "I can take care of myself. I don't need you to watch my every move!"He didn't b
Night descended quickly over Siberia, bringing with it the creeping cold. The night wind struck the wooden walls of the cabin, rustling and whispering in a low, soothing tone. The fire in the hearth still burned, its flames dancing in golden-orange shadows across the rough wooden walls.I lay on the rough yet surprisingly soft wooden cot, a thick blanket wrapped tightly around me. Trisha lay next to me, curled up with her face hidden beneath the covers. Her breathing had evened out, signaling that she had fallen into a deep sleep after today’s long journey.But I couldn’t sleep. Maybe it was the sound of the wind howling outside or perhaps it was the swirl of thoughts racing through my mind. I glanced toward Pascha and Igor, who were sitting on the other side of the room. They were near the hearth, which was slowly dying down, talking in low tones that I could only partly make out. Their Russian flowed quickly and smoothly, sounding more like murmurs than distinct words.Pascha turned
The sky was starting to darken as we walked back to the cabin. The Siberian night air pierced our skin, even though the sun hadn't fully set yet. Trisha and I walked side by side, a bit behind Pascha and Igor, who were leading the way with their long strides.Trisha slipped her hand into my arm, trying to warm herself. "You know, I'm kind of jealous of you," she muttered suddenly.I turned to her, frowning. "Jealous? Jealous about what?"She shrugged, her eyes still fixed on her brother ahead of us. "Pascha loves you in a way that's... hard to explain. It's like the world stops when he's with you."I looked away, trying to hide the blush creeping up my cheeks. "I know he loves me, but... the future is unpredictable, right?"Trisha laughed softly, her voice like a gentle breeze slipping through the pine trees. "That's true. But I know Pascha. He'll never love anyone the way he loves you. He might be a little annoying and clingy, but trust me, he won't just let you go."I bit my lip, tr
Igor walked ahead with a light step, as if he didn’t feel the weight at all, while I, Pascha, and Trisha followed behind, gasping for breath. The trail was rocky and slippery, with tree roots jutting out from the ground. Towering pine trees lined both sides, their shadows stretching under the afternoon sun.“I... hate... you... Igor...” Trisha panted, dragging her feet, clearly exhausted.Pascha raised an eyebrow, glancing at his brother. “Are you sure this is the right trail? We’ve been walking for over an hour!”Igor just looked back with a half-mocking smile. “You’re too spoiled. This is the easiest route.”I wiped the sweat from my forehead and took a deep breath. “The easiest route? Are you serious?”Suddenly, the rumble of a helicopter sounded above. I looked up and saw a sleek black helicopter flying low, following the trail. The window was open, and I could see Natalia waving cheerfully while Alexandr sat comfortably inside, probably enjoying the view from above without having
The Romanov family's private jet was way bigger than I had imagined. The interior felt like a floating penthouse, complete with white leather sofas, thick cream-colored carpets, and large windows offering an endless view of the blue sky. There was a spacious seating area with a polished wooden table and a minibar filled with crystal glasses and high-end liquor bottles.I sat on one of the sofas near the window while Trisha sat beside me, hugging a pillow with a grumpy face. From the other end of the room, I could hear Pascha and Igor’s muffled voices, seemingly arguing about something I couldn't quite grasp."I can't believe we're actually going to Siberia," Trisha grumbled, burying her face in the pillow. "I packed summer clothes, cute dresses, and now we're going to end up in the middle of a forest with wolves and—what was it again? Taiga man?"I chuckled, resisting the urge to tease her more. "You could still wear those dresses in the woods. Maybe the bears would appreciate your fa
Lunch at the Romanov household felt more like a grand family feast than just an ordinary meal. The long dining table was covered with mouth-watering dishes—thick black bread with butter, deep purple-red borscht, salads with diced beets and potatoes, and large platters of roasted meat, their savory aroma filling the room. Everything was arranged neatly on a spotless white tablecloth, with crystal glasses gleaming under the luxurious chandelier.I sat next to Pascha, who looked more relaxed than usual, while Igor sat across from me, chewing his food with the focus of a soldier on a covert mission. At the head of the table sat Alexandr, moving his fork with graceful precision, observing the scene with sharp yet affectionate eyes. Natalia was beside him, her slender fingers delicately stirring her soup as she smiled softly.However, the peaceful lunch almost immediately unraveled when Trisha started talking.“I’m telling you, we have to go to the Riviera! Beaches, cocktails, yacht parties
In front of the massive entrance, with towering marble pillars, stood two figures who immediately captured my attention. A tall, broad-shouldered man with dark hair that was starting to gray at the temples, his face stern with sharp, chiseled lines.My chest and throat tightened instantly. Pascha’s parents. Alexandr Romanov and Natalia Romanova.Their names carried a weight of history, almost legendary in the realms of international business and politics. Just one glance at them, and I could feel the power and dominance radiating from their composed presence. A sudden wave of tension washed over me, and I found myself clutching the hem of my skirt.“Relax,” Pascha whispered beside me, his large hand reaching out to pat my thigh reassuringly. “They’re not as bad as you think.”I shot him a suspicious look. “Not as bad?” I echoed quietly. “Did you forget all those stories about their strict discipline and rigid rules?”Pascha shrugged nonchalantly. “They’re softer when it comes to guest
The sight of the Romanov family's private airport froze me in place. A warm summer breeze brushed against my face, but it was nothing compared to the gleaming private jet shining under the sun. The jet's sleek black paint bore the Romanov family emblem on the tail—an elegant symbol with gold accents that screamed power and luxury."Wow," I whispered, probably for the fifth time in the past ten minutes. My eyes couldn't tear away from every detail of the jet, the aerodynamic lines, the dominating grandeur, and the bold, graceful lettering of the family name etched on the side.Standing beside me with his hands casually tucked into his black pants pockets, Pascha let out an amused snort at my repeated reaction."It's just a plane, Bee," he said nonchalantly, as if the magnificent thing was just a toy.I glanced at him, giving him a pointed look. "Just a plane?" I echoed in disbelief. "It's bigger than my apartment!"He shrugged without a hint of guilt. "You haven't seen the inside yet."
"I missed you," he whispered, his deep, raspy voice vibrating the air between us. I bit my lower lip, trying hard not to smile. "Then stop making me mad." "I can’t promise that," he replied with a mischievous smirk before leaning down to gently kiss my forehead. I closed my eyes, letting out a long sigh. Pascha always had this infuriating yet comforting way of making me both angry and at peace at the same time—a combination that was both annoying and heartwarming. The night stretched on, and we kept talking, laughter and complaints blending into a long, seemingly endless conversation. Slowly, my eyelids grew heavy.I inched closer to Pascha, letting his arm wrap around me as his warmth surrounded me in a rare feeling of comfort. :::: For the first time in weeks, I felt genuinely at peace. The morning in Cambridge was chilly, even with the sun hanging low in the sky. Dew still clung to the apartment windows, leaving blurry wet streaks. I stood in my small kitchen, staring at a s
As soon as the car stopped in front of my flat, I couldn’t hold back anymore. I practically jumped out before Pascha even turned off the engine, dragging my suitcase to the front door. "I missed my bed!" I yelled enthusiastically. Behind me, Pascha just scoffed, grabbing his jacket and following me with a lazy stride. "Of course," he muttered. "I’m the one you see first after we apart, but the thing you missed most is your bed. Annoying." I ignored him. After punching in the door code and pushing it open, I rushed inside, dropped my bag on the floor, and nearly threw myself onto the bed—except Pascha beat me to it. He casually tossed his jacket onto the couch and walked straight to my bed, dropping onto it with a smug, victorious expression. "Pascha, move," I hissed, glaring at him. He looked at me lazily, raising one eyebrow. "No." I groaned in frustration but eventually just flopped onto the bed too, shoving his shoulder to make some space. "Don’t touch me," I muttered when