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And just as I deepened the kiss, she suddenly stiffened beneath me.

I stopped immediately, pulling back. And froze when I saw her eyes squeezed shut, her lips trembling.

Not in pleasure.

But in fear.

No—terror.

Chapter twenty-two

Selina

“Selina, look at me,” Nikolai said, gently pushing back the strands of hair that had escaped my braid as I struggled to regain control of my trembling body.

Uno, due, tre… I exhaled softly, opening my eyes and waiting for the black spots to fade before fixing my gaze on his chest, my cheeks beginning to flush. This was the second time I had lost control in front of him.

“Selin—”

“I’m sorry, Nikolai, I… my body just reacted on its own, I’m sorr—”

I froze when he brushed his lips lightly against mine without deepening the contact. He quickly pulled back, cradling my face carefully between his hands.

“Never apologize for the scars you carry,Solnychko. They are the proof of the war you survived. As for the rest, we’ll take it step by step.”

I nodded slowly, overwhelmed by the tenderness in his voice. He gently took my hand and led me toward the long black leather couch, where he sat beside me.

“I will find a solution, Selina, I promise you. You will be free. No more walls, no more cages to hold you back, Solnychko. But I need time. Will you wait for me within these walls? I promise, it’s not the prison it seems to be.” He smiled, and I couldn’t help but return it.

“I will stay, Nikolai. Rafael too. We will stay—not just within these walls, but by your side,” I said, watching him inhale deeplyat my words, his grip tightening around my hand. “But Sienna… she has a will of her own. She may not want to stay.”

“In these past few weeks, if there’s one thing I’ve learned about your sister, it’s that she would do anything to protect you and Rafael,” he reassured me. I truly hoped he was right, because I couldn’t imagine being separated from my sister. If she refused to stay, then I would leave too.

“I have something for you,” Nikolai said suddenly before standing up and walking over to his desk. He picked up an envelope and returned to me, holding it out. “This is for you.”

I frowned as I took out a bank card and a document. “You opened a bank account in my name?” I asked, confused, scanning my personal information alongside an account number. “For what? I don’t earn any money to put in it,” I added, looking up at him as he handed me another, slightly thicker envelope.

“Now you do. Elif deposited your salary for last month. Your employment contract is inside.”

“Con…tract?” I pulled out a neatly typed set of papers and began scanning the paragraphs. “A nanny?” I asked, lost, and he nodded, shoving his hands into his pockets.

“You’ve done so much to help my sons over the past month, and I hope you’ll continue to help them while you’re here.”

“Of course I’ll help them, Nikolai, but not for money!” I exclaimed, standing up, feeling offended. “I didn’t do this for money or for anything else!”

“Of course not, and I know that,” he said, catching my hand. “But I can’t let you take on this responsibility without something in return. Accept it for me, or I’ll feel like I’m taking advantage of you. You don’t want me to live with that guilt for the rest of my life, do you?”

I pressed my lips together, staring at him. I didn’t want to accept it, but once I was free, I would need money—to rent a home, to pay for Rafael’s school, and so many other things. I looked at the bank card, hesitating, and then an image of Rafael on a new bicycle, his eyes shining with joy, flashed through my mind.

I sighed and finally nodded. “Alright.”

He smiled, making his blue eyes gleam, and dear God, his charm was going to be the death of me. I cleared my throat and stepped back toward the door. “I should go to bed. It’s been a long day. Good night,” I said, turning to open the door.

But suddenly, his hand appeared above my head, holding the door shut.

I turned to ask what he was doing, but the words died on my lips when he gently but firmly tilted my chin upward before kissing me. He deepened the kiss slightly before pulling away, murmuring, “Good night, Solnychko,” against my lips.

And then, just like that, he stepped back and opened the door for me.