Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 92957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 465(@200wpm)___ 372(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 465(@200wpm)___ 372(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
I look at these people. My innermost circle. My brothers, who would do anything for me. My mother, who hid the truth to protect me, and Rafail, who lied to me yet loved me through everything. It’s a lot to digest. But if there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that love is messy, complicated, and beautiful. That it takes courage to love someone and courage still to let them love you back. That love comes in unexpected ways and sometimes when you least expect it.
“I won’t lie to myself or you,” I say to Rafail. “Any of you. You hurt me. You took my freedom away. You lied to me and made me believe something that wasn’t true.” My voice cracks. “But I also know it to be true that you love me. And that I… I love you.”
Pain flickers in his eyes. He’s afraid of losing me; I know this. Losing the people he loves is one of his greatest fears. “Polina, I won’t make excuses for what I did. But I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you.” His gaze remains fixed on me. “Tell me what you want, no matter the cost… even if it’s your freedom.” His voice breaks. “Even if it means never seeing you again.”
Mikhail watches us, his gaze harsh. “Asking her to forgive and forget, after everything she went through, is a big ask.” I look at my brothers, stern and angry, and I’m not the only one who’s noted the tension in the room. Semyon and Rodion stand at the ready, and Vadka is on standby.
“We’re not fighting here,” Zoya says in her quiet way. “If you guys have to fight it out, please go outside.”
I shake my head. “That won’t be necessary.” I pin both Mikhail and Rafail with my gaze. “Will it, boys?”
Rafail shakes his head. Mikhail reluctantly does the same.
Uniting my family and his would be the right thing to do.
Forgiveness would bring peace.
So would marriage.
I draw in a deep breath, steadying myself. “I choose to forgive you, Rafail. It’s the right thing to do.” I continue, my voice tremulous. “Because I know you. And I love you too,” I say softly. “I’ve seen who you are beneath all those layers. Below your armor.” I reach for my cup and take another sip of tea, silently praying for courage and clarity.
I’ve seen the man behind the mask. I know how vulnerable and afraid he is behind that veil of coldness.
“While I would never call you… soft,” I continue. Rodion snorts but stops with a predictable scowl from Rafail. “There are rare moments when I see you love, and you love deeply. Everything you’ve done was for good reason. I’ve seen you willing to sacrifice, to change, and even here today, be meek enough to admit wrongdoing and ask for forgiveness. And for that, and so much more, I love you.”
I turn to Mikhail. “So I ask that you all give me the one thing I’ve never had and have begged from both you and Rafail.”
“Yes?” Rafail says hoarsely.
I blow out a breath. “A choice.”
A clock ticks on a distant wall. In the distance, a dog howls, and the wind beats at the windows as they wait for me.
“Of course,” Mikhail says. “It’s the least we can do after all you’ve been through.”
Rafail nods. “Agreed.”
“Good,” I say, my heart beating rapidly with nerves and excitement. I’m shaking. “I want to stay. I… I belong here now. But I want to live here knowing that my family is welcome and that I’m welcome at home.”
“After everything you’ve been through,” Mikhail says, his face hard. “You’re choosing him? Are you sure?” Though his voice is low and controlled, I can still see the storm brewing in his eyes.
“Yes, Mikhail,” I say, my voice firm. “Because I love him. And because it’s my choice.”
He gives one last lingering look to Rafail before he finally nods. “I saw the way you defended her when we were attacked. I watched how you protected her.” He nods. “It is your choice, but it’s my job to make sure you’re well cared for. And you believe he has the ability to do so?”
I nod, my throat tight.
He does.
“I want our families united. Together, we prove a more powerful entity that even Soloto and all his men couldn’t destroy. I know this is putting a target on our backs though. I know we’ll have to be ready for a fallout.”
Rafail nods. “Agreed.”
I smile at him. My heart feels lighter than it has since well before I came here.
I breathe out, the weight of my decision finally lifting from my chest. My family and Rafail’s watch me with a mixture of relief and cautious hope. Finally, the tension begins to dissipate into something… lighter.
New.
Zoya claps her hands, her eyes sparking with excitement. “Then it’s settled! We’ll have a wedding!” Her infectious joy spreads, and for the first time in what feels like a long time… I smile.