Chapter 65
Nikolai’s POV:
1 handed Elena a glass of water. She clutched it between both hands, her fingers tightening around the cool glass, and I watched her take a quick sip before sputtering,
“Seraphina? THE Seraphina Legacy?! The CEO of Legacy?”
Her eyes were wide and the incredulity in her voice warmed me more than I cared to admit.
$78)
I chuckled, leaning against the kitchen island, feigning nonchalance. “Yes. The Seraphina Legacy. Founder and CEO of Legacy. She’s hosting the ball.”
“Oh my God, Nikolai. You’re friends with her?! How could you even think about not going?!”
Her excitement was infectious, and I felt the last of my morning’s foreboding wash away in her enthusiasm. Truth be told, the car accident hadn’t been my only concern about attending the event. Since that damned afternoon with Sergei Morozov my mind had rattled with warnings.
I remembered Sergei’s voice, his eyes filled with menace as he pressed his palm against the office table and aimed his gun at me.
“You messed with the wrong person, Nikolai,” he’d hissed. “I won’t let this go so easily, I will find her. And once I do, I’ll finish you. Your money and greed won’t protect you then.”
That threat had lodged in my mind, a jagged shard of ice that refused to melt.
Now, standing in my private kitchen while Elena chattered about Seraphina and how she was her fan, I couldn’t help but glance at her–at the scattered bruises on her neck, those angry handprints across her collarbone. A surge of possessiveness coiled in my chest.
“You should cover that up, murmured, “Wouldn’t want your mother getting the wrong idea.”
Her cheeks flamed pink, and she rolled her eyes, hiding the back of her hand across her neck. “Yeah, sure. Like she didn’t just ask me for grandchildren on the phone.”
I froze. “She what?”
Elena’s sinile faltered, and she shook her head quickly. “N–nothing. It’s just her teasing me. Don’t worry about it.”
My gut twisted in knots. “Oh, all right….”
I paused my heart suddenly thumping, “But your IUD–what are the chances of it failing?” I blurted out, already hating how it sounded the moment ! heard myself.
Her smile fell completely. The air between us stilled.
“It’s not high,” she said softly, fingers tracing the rim of her glass. “Very effective.”
Iran a hand through my hair, trying to dispel the thick tension coiling around us. “It’s not that I’m worried, Elena. I’m just…not ready. Please don’t-”
She laughed, cutting me off with a lightness I’d missed. “You don’t have to explain yourself, Nikolai. I’m not ready, either. Neither of us wants kids right now. There are so many other things in life.”
trodded, though inside i felt hollow. I wanted children one day with her. But not now. Not until I’d sorted out every thread in our tangled pasts. The silence stretched. She set her glass down and rose to wash the dishes, humming under her breath.
nce done with my own breakfast silently made my way upstairs.
dinto the shower, the water scalding my skin as I tried to wash away the unease. I imagined Sergets smug face, his threat echoing in
Chapter 65
will find her. And once I do…
Oncel do.
(28)
Fuck.
I dressed quickly in my usual black slacks, button down, vest and blazer, then stepped into the hallway. The cleaning lady would be here, I remembered, and there was another detail to arrange.
Before I left, I returned to Elena. I pulled her into my arms and kissed her forehead.
“I’ll send a driver by to drop you at your mother’s,” I said gently. “See you at lunch.”
She nodded, offering me a small, dimpled smile.
I caught the elevator down to my floor, pressing the button for the office. As the doors slid open, I spotted Felix bent over his desk, already buried in paperwork. He looked up and gave me a brisk nod.
“Good Morning, sir,” he said, eyes flicking to my clothes. “Sir, your first meeting is in thirty minutes.”
“Thank you, Felix,” I replied, stepping inside.
I entered my office and settled behind my mahogany desk, the early sunlight cutting slants into the room. It was quiet–too quiet. I pulled out my phone and sent a voice message.
“Benjamin, I need you to keep an eye on Elena. Discreetly again. Report anything out of the ordinary to me and keep an eye out for any shady person approaching her…or her house.”
Benjamin:
*Of course, sir.‘
I exhaled slowly and picked up the telephone on my desk. Dialing a number I knew by heart, I asked, “Where is Sergei Morozov right now?”
“Sir,” the voice on the other end replied promptly, “he left the city yesterday afternoon. He’s back in Maxcester, arranging matters with his overseas affiliates.”
I frowned, fingers tightening on the phone. He’d literally said he would find ‘her‘ here… in Velhaven. If he’d already gone back, how much of that was threat and how much was truth?
1 ended the call and rubbed my temples, trying to stave off the headache forming behind my eyes.
I leaned back in my chair, letting my mind pivot to tonight’s charity ball. Seraphina Legacy’s affair was legendary–extravagant, ostentatious, couture- driven. Last year’s event had been a whirlwind of avant–garde gowns, a ceiling hung with chandeliers made from recycled glass, performances by world- renowned pianists. The guest list read like a who’s who of global philanthropy.
I sighed then made a call to Ming yi, letting him know to prepare an outfit and stylist for Elena by evening. Of course he gladly agreed.
I glanced at the clock, steeled myself and stood, smoothing out my shirt.
But beneath my composure, carried that sinking feeling of sand seeping through an hourglass. The deeper I sank into my life with Elena, the more precarious everything felt. If Sergei truly meant to come for her… then every moment I spent planning a gala or sealing a deal was a moment wasted before protecting her.
Felix knocked on the door.
13:16 Fri, 25 Jul G G
Chapter 65
“The board is assembled in the conference room. They are waiting for you.”
“On my way.”
Why did I keep feeling this strange feeling, like time was ticking? Like the hourglass had turned and sand was slipping from between my fingers?
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