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"Do you mean it?" I ask, stalling, trying to gauge the sincerity of his proposal.
"With all my heart," he replies, gripping my hand tighter as if to punctuate his vow.
My eyes meet his, searching for any hint of doubt or uncertainty. I find none. Roman is many things, but he is not a liar, nor is he a coward. And as my fingers trace the contours of his face, feeling the warmth of his skin, I make my choice—a choice for honesty, for vulnerability, and most importantly, for a future that isn't dictated by the fears of my past.
"I need to tell you something first," I start, my voice tinged with a nervous energy I can't quite hide. "I'm pregnant."
The room falls silent. Roman's eyes, usually so easy to read, become an enigma. A million thoughts race through my mind, each worse than the last. But before I can spiral any further, Roman leans in and kisses me—softly, sweetly, and with a kind of conviction that washes away all my doubts.
His eyes are alight with something I can't quite identify, but it's beautiful—perhaps it's joy, hope, or the pure, unfiltered thrill of a future uncharted. For a moment, he just looks at me, as if to memorize my face, this moment, this feeling.
"Then why wait?" he says abruptly. "Marry me. Let's not waste another second."
His words wash over me like a wave—intense and unexpected. But the more I think about it, the more it makes perfect sense. We've been through hell and back, faced life and death, loved and fought. There's an undeniable certainty in the chaos that is us.
"I've never been surer about anything, Valentina," he adds, as if reading my thoughts. "You, us, our family—this is my life now. This is what I want. And if you'll have me, I promise to stand by you, always."
His conviction, his raw sincerity, leaves me no room for doubt. Roman isn't just making a spur-of-the-moment decision; he's making a vow, a commitment not just to me, but to the life growing inside me—to our future.
I look into his eyes, those deep pools of blue that have somehow become my sanctuary in this chaotic world, and my heart knows its answer.
I pull him close, burying my face in his chest. I assume this is answer enough.
He smiles then, a radiant, unabashed smile that lights up his entire face, reaching even his eyes, which seem to sparkle in a way I've never seen before. There's no paperwork, no rings, no witnesses—just two souls pledging themselves to each other in the silent intimacy of a world that belongs only to them.
"Looks like you're stuck with me," he says, pulling me into a hug so tight it feels like he's trying to meld our bodies into one.
"Likewise," I reply, wrapping my arms around him, feeling the steady beat of his heart against mine. "But I have to warn you, I come with baggage."
"I expect nothing less," he laughs, pulling away just enough to look into my eyes again. "It makes the journey more interesting."
I laugh too, relieved and delighted at this unexpected turn my life has taken. As I stand there, enveloped in Roman's arms, I can't help but think that maybe, just maybe, the universe has finally decided to cut me some slack. After a lifetime of struggle, betrayal, and endless fighting, I've found my haven, my partner, my love.
"I'm going to be a father," Roman says softly, almost to himself, as if testing how the words feel on his lips.
We seal this new chapter of our life the way we know best—with a deep, soul-stirring kiss that speaks of tomorrows yet to come, of battles yet to be fought, and of a love that promises to endure it all.
Chapter 33
Valentina
The video call screen flickers to life, a virtual war room in the palm of my hand. Roman is on one side, focused but visibly impressed by how things are playing out. Andrei and Sandra, the power couple at the helm of the Bratva, are on the other.
"Let's not mince words," Andrei begins, "Taking down that warehouse was a stroke of genius. You've essentially castrated their supply chain. Vladimir's on the back foot now, scrambling."
Sandra chimes in. "They're in disarray, but they're not harmless. Wounded animals are the most dangerous. We have a very small window to finish this before they regroup.”
Roman nods, his jaw clenched. "Exactly. The warehouse was a significant part of their operation. Ammo, weapons, and God knows what else. They'll be looking to recover, but that'll take time we're not going to give them. Now's the time to act."
I lean into the camera. "And we have the element of surprise. They think they're running from you, not knowing you're already ten steps ahead, ready to ambush them."
Andrei stops pacing and looks at the screen, locking eyes with me. "This could be the decisive strike that not only takes Vladimir off the board but also crumbles the Chechen operations there for good."
"Agreed," Roman says. "It's not just about revenge or even safety at this point. This is a strategic move that will shift the balance of power permanently."
I cut in, "And let's not forget, Vladimir is not just an operator; he's a symbol. Taking him down will send ripples across the underworld. The statement is that no one's untouchable."
Sandra grins, a fierce, wolfish thing. "Oh, I like the sound of that. If we pull this off, it's not just a win for us. It's a win for order, for stability. It's a message to any other would-be challengers that the Bratva isn't to be messed with."
