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"Don't worry about my brother," he says firmly. "I will handle it. There are still ways I can aid the family."
He pauses, gently brushing a strand of hair from my face.
"All that matters now is you finishing your studies and giving birth to our child." His voice softens. "You may do anything you wish after that. I only want your happiness."
I feel a swell of emotion at his words. Despite his ruthlessness, he is willing to sacrifice so much for me. I know our life together will not be without darkness, but I also know he is devoted to me fully.
"Dimitri, I..." My voice falters as I struggle to find the words.
He silences me with a tender kiss, his hand cupping my cheek. I melt into it, all my worries fading away.
With him, I feel desired and protected. No one but Dimitri makes me feel this way.
As we slowly pull apart, he searches my face knowingly. "You are mine, as I am yours. This is fate."
I nod, allowing myself to accept this truth I've denied for so long. We belong together despite everything trying to tear us apart.
I stare at the ostentatious diamond ring on my left hand, which Lorenzo forced upon me when our engagement was announced. Even in the dim light it glitters mockingly. It represents everything I've been fighting so desperately to escape - the life of servitude and abuse Lorenzo and my father tried to trap me in. I am finally free.
Slowly, I begin twisting the ring off my finger, feeling a swell of defiance. This ring never belonged on my finger. I was never Lorenzo's.
With a firm tug, the ring comes loose. I clutch it in my fist tightly as if squeezing the last trace of Lorenzo from my life. Then, swiftly, I hurl the ring across the room. It hits the wall with a sharp ping before clattering to the floor.
I feel Dimitri's gaze on me but I don't look at him. He understands the meaning behind this symbolic act of rebellion.
"I'm yours now, Dimitri," I say firmly, finally voicing the truth we've known for so long. "Only yours."
I hear him inhale sharply behind me. Then suddenly, his strong arms are around my waist, pulling my back against his firm chest.
"Yes, you are mine," he growls in my ear, his grip tightening possessively. "And I am yours."
My heart races at his words. I finally turn in his arms to face him, prepared to give myself to him fully.
But then Dimitri steps back, his expression growing serious. Slowly, he removes the chain he always wears around his neck, on which hangs a gold ring.
My eyes widen in shock. Dimitri gently takes my hand in his and slides the ring onto my left finger. It fits perfectly, as if made for me.
"I bought this for you on the first day I saw you here at this university," Dimitri says solemnly. "I vowed that day to make you my wife."
My eyes fill with tears at his confession. After all this time, all the pain and heartbreak... he had planned this from the beginning. Lorenzo's ring meant nothing - I had belonged to Dimitri all along.
"I love you!" I gasp.
A smile spreads across his face, erasing the hardness that is usually there. He pulls me into his arms again, holding me tightly.
We stand there, embracing each other for a long moment. When we finally pull apart, Dimitri takes my hand, his eyes burning intensely into mine.
"Now, you are truly mine forever," he says, lifting my hand to his lips and kissing the ring he placed there.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
SARA
Iwrap my arms around his neck as soon as he meets my eyes and I pull him down for a passionate kiss. When his lips meet mine, my heart begins to beat so hard I feel it is about to jump out of my chest. My pulse quickens, and everything begins to stir. An uncontrollable moan escapes my mouth as our tongues dance to their own rhythm. We battle each other for dominance, his tongue assaulting mine while mine curves around his every movement. His mouth finally leaves mine, giving me a chance to breathe. He moves behind my ear with butterfly kisses, and I arch my body into his, moaning.
His left-hand slides up my body, meeting my breasts. He groans and massages them through his oversized shirt, which hangs loosely on my petite frame. My nipples immediately become peaks, and he hisses through his teeth. I am completely lost in the moment, letting his hands roam my body, his kisses sending me over the edge.
"Let's get these clothes off of you," he says, removing his hand from my breast to slip the shirt over my head. His hand touches my bare skin, making me whimper. The warm feeling of his skin sends shivers running through my body. I try to hold back a moan as he slips his boxer shorts off me.
