Page 146 of Twisted Pact

I finish my final semester of graduate school while planning a wedding and preparing for a baby.

Getting reinstated wasn’t easy. Then again, nothing about this semester was.

The university administration refused to budge until Alexei made it clear that the Kozlov family had offered to fund a new international law building. Suddenly, my academic standing wasn’t such a problem. I should probably feel guilty about the bribery, but mostly, I’m grateful to finish what I started.

Some days I’m so exhausted that I can barely function, but Alexei is there every step of the way. Rubbing my feet. Bringing me tea. Holding me when the weight of everything feels too heavy.

One evening, I’m sitting in the newly renovated library reviewing my thesis when Alexei finds me. He drops into the chair beside mine and pulls my feet into his lap.

“How’s the work coming?” he asks while massaging my ankles.

“Almost done. I’ll submit it next week.”

“And then?”

“And then, I’ll have my Ph.D.” I set down my papers and look at him. “What are we going to do after the wedding? After the baby?”

“What do you want to do?”

“I don’t know. I never thought I’d make it this far.” The admission surprises me. “Just a few months ago, I thought my life was over. That marrying into your world meant giving up everything I wanted.”

“And now?”

“Now, I realize I was wrong. This life with you is everything I want.Youare everything I want.”

He kisses me, long and slow and thorough. When we finally break apart, he’s smiling.

“I love you, Zaika.”

“I love you, too.”

I feel the slightest flutter in my stomach, the first time I’ve felt the baby move, and I suck in a gasp. “I think someone agrees.”

“Good.” He presses his hand to my belly, reading the smile on my face. “Because this is forever. You, me, and our family. No more running or fighting, just us building something real.”

I rest my forehead against his. “Just us building something real,” I repeat.

And for the first time in my life, I’m not afraid of what comes next. The threats are gone. The danger has passed. All that’s left is love and the future we’re creating together.

Forever starts now.

Epilogue - Alexei

My wife is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.

Mila stands at the end of the aisle in a white gown that accommodates her rounded belly.

Six months pregnant and radiant. Her mother fusses with the train as Leonid waits to walk her down the aisle.

Dmitri leans close and whispers, “You ready for this?”

“I’ve been ready since the moment I met her.”

He laughs and claps me on the shoulder. The music starts, and everyone rises. I watch Mila take her father’s arm. She catches my eye and smiles. That smile still does something to my chest, making it hard to breathe.

They walk toward me agonizingly slowly. Leonid holds his daughter like she might break. When they reach the altar, he kisses her cheek and places her hand in mine.

“Take care of her,” he pleads quietly.