Page 62

“Elif, please find a location by next week,” I added.

She held my gaze for a long moment, lips pressed together. Then she sighed. “Fine, whatever you say.”

“Roman and I will return tomorrow to escort you,” Grigori said.

“Okay. Sasha will pick you up,” I confirmed.

As the call ended, Elif’s sorrowful expression darkened my mood even further.

I leaned back, exhaling. I could feel Sasha’s gaze on me.

“What ?” I snapped, getting up.

“Are you really going to let them go ?” he asked, his jaw clenched.

I let out a bitter laugh.

“Wasn’t it you who wanted them gone when they arrived ?” I countered, raising an eyebrow.

He took a deep breath, shoving his hands in his pockets before stepping closer.

“I just hope you won’t regret your decision,” he said before walking past me and out the door.

I hope so too.

Selina

I pressed my lips together as the sports car came to a stop in the manor’s driveway and the three Ivanov brothers stepped out of the vehicle. It had been almost two days since we had tried to escape, and since then, Nikolaï and I had been avoiding each other. Thanks to the children, meals remained bearable—if you ignored the dark glares and occasional sharp remarks exchanged between Sienna and Sasha.

Ever since Nikolaï had agreed to my request, I had felt lost. Over the past three weeks, I had thought I had found some kind of rhythm, a life where I felt somewhat at ease. But I knew this wasthe right decision—for my sister, for me, and most importantly, for my son. He deserved to live a normal life like other children, without the constant shadow of fear looming over him. Everything would be fine. Once we were far from all of this, I would find a job as a nurse in a hospital like before, and Sienna could resume her studies where she had left off. Far away from all of this.

A sudden knock on the door startled me, and the door opened gently. Sena entered, offering me a soft smile.

“Mr. Nikolaï is waiting for you in his office, ma’am,” she said.

I nodded and followed her out of the room so she could lead me to the office, which I had never been to before. I frowned upon seeing my sister already waiting by the door, arms crossed and wearing an expression of displeasure.

“They summon us like we’re nothing more than stray dogs,” she grumbled upon seeing me approach.

I simply sighed as Sena knocked on the door, announcing us before stepping aside to let us enter.

Sienna walked in first, and I followed closely behind—so closely that I ended up bumping into her when she suddenly stopped. I groaned and moved to the side, only to freeze as well upon seeing the four brothers staring at us intently.

They looked much more intimidating without Elif there to soften the atmosphere. Despite myself, my gaze dropped to the floor, and I anxiously clenched my hands against my stomach, unlike my sister, who even took a step in front of me as if to shield me.

“Here they are, our little fugitives !” Roman exclaimed, straightening up from the chair where he had been lounging.

I tensed even more, expecting the worst. What if Nikolaï and Sasha had waited for their brothers to punish us ? What if he had lied about letting us go ?

“We’re simply adapting to the situation,” my sister responded, crossing her arms again and raising an eyebrow.

I winced at her provocation. Oh god, this girl.

Roman laughed, the only one who did. His brothers remained expressionless, their gazes dark.

“Please, take a seat,” Grigori said, gesturing toward the long couch facing the dark wooden desk where he was seated.

My eyes briefly met Nikolaï’s as he stood behind his brother. His face revealed nothing as I slowly sat on the brown leather couch, rubbing my hands against my jeans. Sienna joined me, placing a hand on my thigh, stopping my leg from trembling—something I hadn’t even realized I was doing.