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In shock, I look at the large sum.
Fifty million. Viktor’s insane!
Knowing he’s going to fight me on this, I brace myself. “I’ll make you a deal. I’ll take enough to last me six months. It will give me time to get a job, and I’ll be able to enroll at college.”
His features tighten until it looks like he’s going to be sick. “Let me take care of everything. Why would you want to study at a college if I can pay for an elite university?”
It feels weird being the strong one. I’ve never seen Viktor like this, and it’s breaking my heart.
“Please stop,” I beg. “You’ve had three years to look after me. Against my will. I want to experience life on my own. I need this, Viktor.”
I have to find out who I am without Viktor. Without my family. I have to search my emotions and make sure what I feel for Viktor isn’t Stockholm syndrome. I have to deal with the grief and guilt.
I have to do this for myself.
I point at the monitor. “Only leave thirty thousand dollars in the account. Ten thousand for every year I spent here.”
“Fuck no,” he snaps. “That’s nothing! At least take twenty-five million. It’s half.”
“No. Thirty thousand is enough,” I argue, standing my ground. When he opens his mouth, I dart forward and press my fingers to his lips. “Stop, Viktor. I’m begging you. Let me go on my own terms, and I promise, if things don’t work out and I need you, I’ll call.”
He stares at me for a long moment before he nods. “But you’re taking the phone I got you. It’s not negotiable. It has my number on it.”
I give him a trembling smile. “Okay.”
He gives me a pleading look. “Please, just take Joseph to guard you.”
“We had this discussion yesterday. I’m not taking guards. It will feel like I’m still a captive.”
“Blyad',” Viktor curses. “I’m really regretting my promise to let you go.”
“I kept mine,” I remind him. “I gave you two days. Give me my freedom.”
He shakes his head as he takes the device and charger out of his drawer and hands them to me. “I have one more thing.”
I watch as he pulls a slender black case from the drawer. When I open it with trembling fingers, I stare at the necklace and a rose pendant.
My throat closes up as I say, “It’s beautiful.”
“I had it made for you.” Viktor lifts the chain out of the case and moves behind me.
I gather my hair, and when he places the platinum necklace around my neck, tears threaten to fall.
Why does it feel wrong leaving him?
God, I’m so messed up.
Viktor wraps his arms around me and presses a kiss to the top of my head. “Happy birthday,moyaMalen'kaya Roza.”
I grip hold of his forearms, and my shoulders shudder under the strain of the heartache.
“Boss, everything is ready,” I hear Joseph say.
I feel Viktor nod, but he doesn’t let go of me. Instead, his hold on me tightens, and he presses kisses to the side of my neck and face.
“You don’t mind taking care of Luna until I send for her?” I ask, my voice quivering. I need to settle down before I can bring her to New York.
“At least I’ll have one of you for a little longer.”
