EIGHTEEN | Don't Leave Him Alone

“Shut up, Aurora! You’ve gone too far!” he shouted, tears welling up and his fist clenched tightly. Vladimir, the boss of a ruthless crime syndicate, had never experienced such intense emotions before—feelings of weakness and guilt.

“Why? Because I’m telling the truth?” Aurora snapped, looking away and trying to calm her own frustration. But his loud voice only made things worse. “Come on, Mir! Wake up from your fantasy. I was never yours and, just so you know, I never will be,” she said harshly. Her words cut through him like a sharp knife, piercing his skin and hurting his heart.

Aurora let out a frustrated breath and ran her hand through her light brown hair. Shaking her head, she turned to face him. “You made a promise, Mir. You don’t have the right to hold me back. Just let me go,” she insisted, determination evident in her voice as she prepared to walk away.

“No! You’re not going anywhere. I won’t allow it,” worry crossed his handsome face as he attempted to prevent her from