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“Eden,” I start, barely able to get the words out. “There’s something I need to tell you. That night when we … I almost lost it all. I thought about ending you because I believed you were a traitor.” I can’t bring myself to look her in the eyes. “But I couldn’t do it …”
Eden freezes, shock then disbelief in her expression. Wavering on her feet, she wraps her arms tighter around her growing belly as if protecting our unborn child from me.
“Did you hear me?” I’m desperate for a response. “I nearly killed you, Eden.”
Her gaze meets mine, and the sadness in her eyes cuts me deeper than a stiletto could. “I heard you, Nikolai.” Her voice is steady. “And as much as it terrifies me to think what might have happened if you’d given in to your darkness, I know that you didn’t. You made a choice, and that means something.”
“Does it?” I ask. “How can we move forward, knowing what I’m capable of?”
“Because you’re also capable of love, Nikolai,” she argues. “You can overcome this for us if you want to. If your ego wasn’t bigger than both of us.”
Eden is right. I must choose to let go of the past and embrace the future we could have together or risk losing everything that truly matters.
My heart aches with love for her, and I try to tell her. “I promise you, Eden. I’ll do everything in my power to protect our family and end the threat.”
Her protective and determined grip around her belly tenses while Larissa’s words echo in my mind. Almost word for word the same ones that Vito said at the sit-down.
I’m tired of burying one Starukhin after another.The truth hits me like a bullet, barreling through every justification I’ve ever made for my actions.
I stare at Eden, my heart pounding as I finally understand what I almost lost in my blind pursuit of vengeance—her love, our family, and any chance at happiness. My hands tremble as I try to find the right words to express the depths of my remorse.
“Eden,” I begin, my voice cracking with emotion.
She watches me, her eyes filling with concern. “Nikolai, I know how much pain you’ve been carrying. But it doesn’t have to define you. You are more than a pakhan.”
I move toward her, lifting my hands. “It’s not easy to walk away.”
“I’m not asking you to walk away.” Her voice is strong as she backs away. “I’m asking you to let go of your need for revenge. We have to break the cycle for the sake of our family.”
“Will you?” My voice rises in anger as my hands tremble with rage. I want to scream, but instead, I take a step toward Eden and extend my hands, my fingers twitching as if they’re going to wrap around her throat.
Sensing danger, Eden pivots on her heel to escape. A hidden root sends her tumbling. Instinctively, I reach out and grab her before she fully crashes to the ground. She lands on her knees, moaning, as I pull her into my arms.
“I’m sorry for all the pain I’ve caused you, and I know what I did was unforgivable. I just … I need you to know how much youmean to me,” I confess, my voice cracking under the weight of my emotions.
She gazes into my eyes. “Nikolai, nothing is unforgivable.”
“But can you forgive me?” I ask.
She takes a deep breath, exhaling slowly as if releasing her pain. “Yes, I will, but I need your forgiveness for not telling you about the text and everything else I’ve kept from you.”
“Of course I forgive you,” I reply without hesitation.
“Thank you,” she whispers, a faint smile gracing her lips.
She faces the imposing mansion, its towers casting long shadows across the overgrown grass. “I want to go inside.”
“Are you sure?” I ask.
“Yes,” she nods.
With her hand in mine, we walk up the stone stairs toward the oak door.
“Ready?” I ask, my grip on her hand tightening.
“Ready,” Eden confirms, matching the strength of my grasp. I unlock the door, and Eden pushes it open, stepping inside as I follow her.
21
