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Stepping back from Adalina, we both acknowledge that it is time for her to go. She needs to forget about me and move on with her life. I watch her climb into the first SUV, accompanied by Misha. As the vehicle drives away, I watch Adalina disappear from my view, vanishing into the distance.
Adalina
When Nikolai leans in and kisses me - our last kiss, our last moment together - my heart aches with a deep sense of loss. Nikolai's lips are soft, his kiss gentle and tender, and I feel a deep sense of love and longing wash over me. Nothing else matters in this moment but the two of us, locked in a passionate embrace.
As Nikolai pulls away, I fight back the tears welling up in my eyes. With a heavy sigh, I gather my strength and take a deep breath, mustering the courage to release myself from his embrace and let him go. I know it is time to go, to let him go, and the thought of being without him is unbearable. I cling tightly to him, not wanting to loosen my grip, but I must.
As I walk away, my heart weighs heavy with sorrow and longing. He will forever hold a special place in my heart, and as I turn my back, stepping into an uncertain future, I carry the weight of my love deep within my soul. It is a love that both liberates and confines, forever altering the course of my life.
As the SUV drives off, I watch him fade into the distance through the rear window, my heart shattering into a million pieces. The memory of our last kiss, the final shared moment before he let me go, I will always cherish.
"Goodbye, Nikolai," I whisper to myself as tears stream down my cheeks. "I will miss you. I will always love you."
I wipe away the tears that have escaped, preparing myself for the inevitable longing and pain of forbidden love. Although my heart throbs with pain, I understand that even though Nikolai can never return my feelings he will always be a part of me. I will cherish the memories of our time together as a precious treasure, forever etched in the deepest recesses of my soul.
I ride next to Misha in the back of the SUV. There is another SUV with Bratva soldiers following close behind. The inside of the SUV is silent as we pull onto Michigan Avenue. I can see my father and his bodyguards waiting outside the Windsor Hotel. After we come to a stop. One of the Bratva soldiers riding in the front seat climbs out and opens the door for me. I step out of the SUV. I feel Misha behind me. He squeezes my hand and says, “Take care of yourself, Adalina.” I do not respond. I am relieved Nikolai isn’t here. I don’t want to break down in front of my father and his men.
I narrow my eyes, attempting to shield them from the intense summer sun, as I walk towards my father who stands by the revolving doors. Before I can utter a word, my father's anger flares and he forcefully seizes my arm, dragging me into the revolving door.
Nikolai
After Adalina drives off, I climb into the second SUV with my bodyguards and discreetly follow her. My only objective is to ensure her safety, unbeknownst to her. I observe her as she exits the SUV on Michigan Avenue. My gaze remains fixed as Misha gently squeezes her hand, offering a gesture of support. I continue to watch intently as she approaches her father, Angel Gaito. However, my blood boils as I witness Gaito's harsh treatment of her. He roughly seizes her arm and forcefully pulls her into the hotel's revolving door. I struggle to contain my anger, fighting the impulse to confront him and protect Adalina from her father’s abuse. Yet, I remind myself that I gave Adalina the tools to rescue herself. I just have to hope she will use them and free herself from Alfonso and the Outfit.
Adalina
My father, his two bodyguards, and I take elevator up to our suite. I keep my head down. My father is angry. I don’t want to talk to him. I just want to bury my head somewhere and cry.
The bodyguards wait outside after they clear the suite. My father and I walk in, the door closes behind us. The suite is empty.
“Papa, where is Mama and Delphina?”
“They are in New York. They had to get back. They couldn’t wait for you forever.”
“Of course not.”
As I stand in front of my father, my heart feels like it is beating out of control. I am terrified but I need to tell my father something that will hopefully change everything.
"Papa, I cannot marry Mario," I say, my voice trembling.
"And why is that, Adalina?"
I take a deep breath and try to steady myself. "I have fallen in love with someone else."
“Who?”
I hesitate for a moment before answering. "Nikolai Fedorov.”
My father's eyes widen in shock. "The head of the Chicago Bratva? The bastard that kidnapped you?"
I nod, my heart racing. "Yes, Papa. I know it sounds crazy, but I cannot deny my feelings for him.”
My father grabs my shoulders, “You will marry Mario. Mario is a good man. He will take care of you. He will protect you."
I try to pull away from my father, but his grip on my shoulders is too firm.
"Papa, I cannot marry someone I don’t love. I’m sorry."
My father's eyes harden. "You have no choice in this matter, Adalina. You will marry Mario, and you will do it for the good of our family. On Friday, two days from now, you will marry Mario. There will be a simple ceremony in a church not far from here. No family, just some people from the Outfit. No reception. Then Mario will take you to his home. End of discussion." My father releases his grip on me.
