AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I stumble out of bed, acting on impulse. It’s a mistake. The pain in my stomach lances through my whole body, leaving me winded. I’m too weak to stand. Crumpling to the floor, all I can do is peer up at him as I sob.
“I’m in love with you, Dimitri. It wasn’t supposed to happen, but it’s true. Please, believe me.”
“Believe you,” he whispers, staring down his nose at me. The man I’ve come to know and care for is no longer. The one who stands above me may share his face, but nothing else. “Why would I believe you after everything you’ve done, Natalya?”
My bottom lip trembles. “Are you going to kill me?”
He pauses. “I should. Traitors to the Antonov Bratva have been killed for much less.”
“Dimitri—”
“But I’m a good man,” he echoes himself. “And despite your betrayal…” A brief flash of conflict flickers behind his dark eyes. For a moment, I finally see him. Dimitri. The man who I needlessly hurt because I was played for a fool.
“Consider this an act of mercy,” he says quietly. “Theonlyact of mercy you’ll be getting from me.”
“You’re not going to kill me?”
“You’ll stay here under house arrest with a guard posted at your door until you are well enough to move around on your own. Once you’re healed, you will leave. I never want to see you again, because the next time I do…” he trails off.
“Guards?” I whimper. “I don’t need guards.”
“They’re not for you, they’re for me and my son.”
My mouth drops. “I would never hurt him. I would never hurt Simon, youhaveto know that.”
Dimitri turns his back to me but doesn’t say anything. He doesn’t have to. My words are worth less than dirt to him now. With one hand on the doorknob, he pauses before heading out.
“Do you want to know something funny?” he asks. “I was really starting to fall for you, too.”
He leaves, the door shutting closed behind him.
I’m left in the dark on the cold, hard floor as my heart rips in two.
Chapter 26
Natalya
Aweek passes.
Dahlia brings breakfast each morning, a simple tray of dry toast, some oatmeal, an apple, and a glass or water. She enters my room without looking at me, her lips pressed into a tight, displeased line as she sets my food on the nearby desk. It’s obvious Dimitri’s told her everything. The woman who was so kind to me leaves as quickly as she came, without looking at me or speaking, the guard at the door slamming it shut upon her exit.
With a hand pressed against my wound, I struggle out of bed and take a seat at the desk. Dahlia has also placed a few antibiotics on my plate, as well, so I swallow those dry. I don’t have much of an appetite, but Iamthirsty. I down the juice in a matter of seconds, no doubt dehydrated from all the crying.
I can’t seem to stop. Every little thing reminds me of the mistakes I made, and then suddenly the cycle of pity and remorse restarts. My insides feel hollow, gutted out and left to dry.
I want to leave the room, but I can hear the guards outside. I don’t recognize any of their voices, so I assume they’re all new. Given that the majority of the security team was taken out by Edvard, it’s honestly no surprise. A part of me thinks about leaving. I could escape through the window and be done with this place, but the more I think about it, I’m not a prisoner. Not really.
Dimitri himself said once I was better, he wanted me to leave. Clearly, he wants nothing to do with me, and I honestly don’t blame him. His confession still stings, the weight of his words singeing my skin.
I was really starting to fall for you, too.
My eyes are dry and irritated, so when I feel the sting of tears, it’s downright painful. I haven’t seen or heard from him at all. It’s infinitely more gut wrenching when I remember there are only a few walls separating us. He’s ignoring me.
And frankly, I deserve it.
As I finish my breakfast, I unconsciously rub my belly. I wanted to tell Dimitri straight away that I was pregnant, but given how everything unfolded, now might not be the best time. I don’t know how he’d handle the news or if he’d even listen to me. I’ve done nothing but lie to him. If I tell him I’m carrying his child, he’d never believe me.
I try to think about my next step, about my future. Where do I go from here now that everything’s imploded? How do I go on after everything that’s happened?
