The quiet serenity of the cabin was almost deceptive. The soft crackle of the fireplace, the distant sound of wind rustling through the trees—it all felt so far removed from the chaos that had been their lives lately. But Anton knew better. Peace, especially for someone like him, was always fleeting.He stood in the kitchen, staring blankly out of the window, his hand wrapped around a steaming cup of coffee. Odette was still asleep in the bedroom upstairs, the calm rise and fall of her breath a soothing reminder of her presence. For once, she seemed to be at ease, free of the tension that had haunted her since the night she was taken.Anton wished he could let his guard down as easily.The vibrating hum of his phone on the counter pulled him out of his thoughts. He reached for it, his chest tightening when he saw the blocked number on the screen.He hesitated. No good ever came from answering calls like this, but ignoring it wasn’t an option. Slowly, he swiped to accept the call.“Dim
The cabin, once a sanctuary, now felt like a prison. Odette couldn’t shake the unease that had settled over her since Anton got a call from Sokolov. The air felt thicker, the shadows darker, and even the crackle of the fire seemed too loud in the suffocating silence. She sat curled up on the couch, her mind racing. No matter how many reassurances Anton gave, the looming danger felt too real. She wanted to believe him, to trust that he could protect her, but doubt lingered. After all, Sokolov wasn’t some petty criminal—he was a mastermind, someone who thrived on chaos and destruction. Anton paced near the window, his phone in hand as he texted Damien. His silver-gray eyes were sharp, scanning the tree line outside as though expecting an ambush. He hadn’t spoken much since their earlier conversation, his focus entirely on strategizing. “Anton,” Odette called softly, breaking the silence. He turned to her, his expression softening. “Yes, love?” She hesitated, unsure how to voice th
The sleek black SUV tore down the isolated road, its tires crunching over gravel and ice as Anton pushed the vehicle to its limits. Odette sat beside him, her hands clenched into fists on her lap. Despite the heater blowing warm air, her body was rigid, her nerves tightly wound. The tension in the air was palpable, heightened by the rearview mirror’s reflection—a pair of headlights following too closely for comfort. “Anton…” Odette’s voice was barely above a whisper, but it carried the weight of her fear. “I see them,” he replied, his tone calm but deadly. The headlights swerved left, then right, as if testing the SUV’s movements. Anton tightened his grip on the wheel, his silver-gray eyes scanning the dark forest that bordered the narrow road. “How long have they been following us?” Odette asked, her throat dry. “Since we left the highway,” Anton admitted. “I was hoping they’d back off, but it seems Sokolov’s men are more persistent than I gave them credit for.” Odette’s ches
The safehouse Anton had arranged was a modest, secluded cabin nestled deep within the woods. Snow clung to its roof like a fragile blanket, the surrounding trees acting as sentinels in the night. The ride there had been silent, tension coiled tightly in the air between them. Odette stepped out of the SUV, shivering as the icy wind cut through her jacket. Anton walked ahead, his tall frame exuding authority as he inspected the perimeter. Despite the illusion of safety, she knew better. The Sokolovs wouldn’t stop until they had what they wanted—or until one of them was dead. Anton unlocked the cabin door, motioning for her to enter first. The interior was warm and rustic, a far cry from the sleek luxury she’d come to associate with him. A small fire crackled in the stone hearth, casting flickering shadows across the wooden walls. “Stay inside while I secure the area,” Anton instructed, his tone brooking no argument. Odette nodded, her throat dry. As he stepped back into the cold ni
The cabin was silent, save for the occasional crackle of the fire and the faint rustling of the wind outside. Anton remained stationed by the window, his silhouette tense against the dim light from the embers. The message from Damien lingered in his mind like a haunting refrain: They’re coming. Odette stirred above in the loft, her restless movements audible through the wooden beams. Her unease mirrored his own, though he knew she didn’t yet realize how imminent the threat truly was. Anton’s hand hovered over the firearm resting on the windowsill. He didn’t want this confrontation—not here, not now. But the Sokolovs had forced his hand, and he wasn’t the kind of man to back down when cornered. His phone buzzed again. Another message. “Five vehicles confirmed heading north. ETA: 15 minutes. Damien and I are en route, but we’ll be delayed.” Fifteen minutes. Not enough time to escape, but enough to prepare. Anton slipped his phone back into his pocket and ascended the stairs to th
The convoy of vehicles sped through the dense forest, headlights slicing through the darkness. Odette sat in the backseat of Damien’s armored SUV, her hands trembling slightly as she gripped the seatbelt. Anton sat beside her, his hand resting protectively on her knee, grounding her in the midst of the chaos. “Where are we going?” she finally asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Damien glanced at her through the rearview mirror. “To a safe house. It’s off the grid and well-secured. The Sokolovs won’t find us there—at least not easily.” Anton’s jaw was set, his eyes staring out the window as if expecting another ambush at any moment. “We’ll regroup there and figure out our next move. This was just the beginning.” Odette’s stomach twisted. The thought of more violence, more danger, was almost too much to bear. But she refused to let her fear consume her. Not now. “What if they follow us again?” she asked, her mismatched eyes locking with Anton’s. “They won’t,” he said firmly.
The quietness of the safe house felt deafening. Odette sat on the window seat of the bedroom she shared with Anton, staring out at the thick forest that surrounded them. The night was still, yet she couldn’t shake the sense of being watched, as if unseen eyes lurked in the shadows beyond the trees. Her thoughts swirled, unrelenting and heavy. Is this the life I want? She leaned her head against the cool glass, her mismatched eyes clouded with uncertainty. The events of the past weeks replayed in her mind like a relentless storm. The ambushes, the threats, the constant running—it felt like a nightmare she couldn’t wake up from. When she had moved to New York to start over, she had imagined a life of simplicity and freedom. A chance to leave behind the scars of her past. Yet here she was, thrust into a world of danger and deceit, tied to a man who seemed to bring as much chaos as he did safety. Odette sighed deeply, her breath fogging the glass. Her feelings for Anton were undenia
The safe house sat on the edge of a dense forest, a fortress of stone and steel that still managed to feel fragile under the weight of their pursuers. The atmosphere inside was uneasy, with Odette pacing the length of the living room while Anton stood by the window, his silver-grey eyes scanning the tree line.The air was thick with unspoken words, but neither of them dared break the silence. Anton’s phone buzzed on the table, its sharp tone slicing through the quiet like a blade.Odette froze mid-step, her heart pounding. “Who is it?”Anton grabbed the phone, his expression darkening as he read the message. “It’s Damien. He intercepted chatter from the Sokolovs.”Her stomach dropped. “What did they say?”“They know where we are,” Anton replied grimly, his voice low but laced with urgency.Odette’s blood ran cold. “How? I thought this place was supposed to be safe.”“It was,” Anton said, his jaw tightening. “But nothing is impenetrable. They must’ve tracked one of the decoys we sent o
Anton had spent months proving himself.Months of waiting.Of constantly showing up.Of continually choosing her, over and over again.And Odette had spent those same months resisting.Not because she didn’t love him.But because loving him had never been the problem.Trusting him was and she is so scared of giving out her heart again. But trust—real trust—wasn’t won overnight.It was built, brick by brick, moment by moment.And Anton?Anton had laid the foundation, patiently and relentlessly.Until finally—Odette let herself believe it.Believe him.Believe everything he has been trying to prove. And for the first time since this all began—she let herself want him again, this time with no doubts. Really, truly, want him.Not as a ghost from her past.Not as a memory she tried to bury.But as a man who had fought for her.And won.A man whom she has given her heart to. The first time they went out in public together, the world noticed.Odette hadn’t wanted a spectacle, but she di
Odette had spent months convincing herself she could live without Anton.That she was better off without him.That she had moved on.But every time she saw him, every time he showed up and didn’t push, every time he just… waited—Her resolve cracked.And tonight, it finally broke.It had been a long day.Her body ached, exhaustion pressing against her limbs like a weight she couldn’t shake.She had spent the afternoon organizing the nursery—folding tiny clothes, arranging baby books, trying to ignore the growing sense of anticipation and fear inside her.She wasn’t ready.Not for motherhood.Not for Anton.Not for any of it.But time didn’t care if she was ready.Time kept moving, pulling her forward whether she liked it or not.And now, as she stepped out of the building, the cool night air brushing against her skin, she felt so unbearably lost.Then she saw him.Anton stood near the curb, his presence as steady as ever.He didn’t say anything.Didn’t move toward her.He just waited.
Odette was tired.Not physically—her body had adjusted to the pregnancy, the nausea had faded, and for the first time in weeks, she felt stable.No, this exhaustion ran deeper.It was the kind that weighed in her chest every time she saw him.Every time Anton appeared—silent, steady, unshaken—standing just close enough to remind her that he was still there.That he wasn’t leaving.Not this time.And she hated it.Hated that he made it so damn hard to push him away.Hated that he was doing everything right.And most of all—she hated that it was working.It started with small things.Little gestures that she didn’t notice at first.Or rather—refused to notice.Anton always kept his distance.But when she went to the grocery store, he was there—pretending to be occupied by something else.When she went to the doctor, he never followed her inside.But every time she stepped out of the clinic, she felt his presence.Like he was watching, waiting.Like he was protecting her.Like he was sti
Odette stared at Anton, her heart hammering violently in her chest.I’m leaving it all behind.The words still echoed in her mind, pressing against the walls of her carefully built defenses.He was saying everything she had once wanted to hear.Everything she had once prayed for.But now?Now, it felt like too little, too late.Anton watched her, waiting.Giving her space.Giving her a choice.Odette inhaled sharply, forcing herself to steady.And then—She turned away.Her voice was quiet but firm.“You can’t just say things like that and expect me to believe you.”A muscle in Anton’s jaw tightened. “I’m not expecting you to believe me.”She looked back at him, eyes narrowing. “Then what are you expecting?”He held her gaze. “To prove it to you.”Odette clenched her fists.She hated that he was calm.She hated that he knew she wouldn’t walk away—not yet.Because she had questions.Because she still wanted answers.Because—**despite everything—**she still wanted him.And that was what
Anton hadn’t spoken to Annika in weeks.Not because he didn’t trust her—but because he knew what she would say.He had been watching Odette.Keeping his distance.Waiting for the moment she would come to him.But she never did.And when Annika finally reached out, her voice was sharp with frustration.“You’re an idiot.”Anton pinched the bridge of his nose. “Annika—”“No. Listen to me,” she snapped. “I’ve kept my mouth shut long enough.”Anton exhaled slowly. “I don’t have time for this.”“You don’t have time?” Annika let out a bitter laugh. “You’ve had months. And you’re wasting all of them.”Anton didn’t respond.Because he already knew where this conversation was going.He could feel it.The shift.The weight of something inevitable.And then—Annika spoke the words that shattered him.“She’s pregnant.”Silence.The kind that suffocates.The kind that crushes.Anton’s grip tightened around the phone.His breath was slow. Controlled.But inside—inside, everything was collapsing.“Say
Odette had felt it the moment she stepped outside her apartment.The weight of eyes on her.A presence lingering just out of reach.At first, she had convinced herself it was paranoia. A trick of her mind.But as the days passed, it became harder to ignore.Anton was watching her.She felt it in the way certain shadows lingered longer than they should.In the subtle hum of something just beneath the surface.In the way her instincts—so finely tuned from months of survival—refused to let her dismiss it.And yet… he never approached her.Never confronted her.He just… watched.As if waiting for something.As if waiting for her.She first noticed it at the bookstore.A small, quiet shop tucked between a bakery and a florist. She had been running errands, determined to settle into her new normal.She was reaching for a book when a shift in the air made her glance toward the entrance.Anton stood outside, across the street.His hands were in his coat pockets, his sharp gaze unreadable.He
Odette’s breath caught in her throat.Anton stood across the café, his broad frame unmistakable even from a distance. He was mid-conversation with someone, but the second their eyes met, the world tilted.She knew this feeling.The sharp pull in her chest, the way the air seemed to thin around her, the sudden weight of everything unsaid pressing down on her shoulders.Anton’s expression was unreadable.But his storm-gray eyes—they saw her.Not just physically.He saw her.For a moment, neither of them moved.Odette’s fingers tightened around the strap of her purse. Every rational thought screamed at her to walk away.She could do it.She could turn around, push open the door, and pretend this never happened.But her legs wouldn’t move.Not yet.Anton’s posture shifted, his weight moving slightly forward.A hesitation.A decision.Then, before she could react, he started toward her.Odette’s pulse spiked.Her heart slammed against her ribs, and suddenly, she wasn’t ready.Not for this.
Odette ran her fingers along the edge of the ultrasound photo, tracing the faint outline of the tiny life growing inside her.It had been a week since the scare.A week since she heard the heartbeat.A week since she had finally stopped lying to herself.She was going to be a mother.And for the first time since she found out, she let herself feel it.It was terrifying.But it was also… undeniable.She wasn’t sure when the fear started turning into something else—something quieter, something warmer.But it had.And that was enough.At least for now.She pressed the ultrasound photo between the pages of her notebook, closing it carefully before pushing it aside.Amerie walked in just as she finished, holding two cups of coffee. “Alright, I caved and smuggled this in. If they catch us, we were framed.”Odette snorted, taking the cup with a grateful nod.Amerie settled into the chair beside her. “How are you feeling?”Odette exhaled, wrapping her fingers around the cup. “Better.”It wasn
Odette wasn’t sure when she started holding her breath.Maybe it was when the dizziness hit, sharp and sudden, making the walls of her hospital room blur.Maybe it was when she pressed a hand to her stomach, her heartbeat thundering beneath her palm.Or maybe it was when the pain started—not unbearable, but deep and sharp enough to make her panic.She sucked in a slow breath, forcing herself to stay still.This was nothing.It had to be nothing.She was fine.She repeated the thought over and over, but her body didn’t believe it.The pressure in her lower abdomen twisted, sending another dull ache through her.Odette clenched the sheets, her pulse hammering.No.Not this.Her fingers shook as she reached for her phone, nearly dropping it before managing to press Amerie’s contact.It barely rang before her best friend answered.“What’s wrong?”Odette tried to swallow the lump in her throat. “I—” She broke off, inhaling shakily. “I need you to come.”Amerie’s voice immediately sharpened