LOGINVena is back home, now she and Nikolai have to send two hours together daily. How would that go? Stay tuned for more. Thanks to everyone who commented on the last chapter, it meant a lot to me that I have readers following the book. See you on the next! Make sure to like and please leave a review in the homepage of the book!💚
Nikolai.I rubbed a hand over my face before leaning back in my chair. My office was silent except for the faint ticking of the vintage clock on the far wall. Sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Thornmoon, but for the past four days, I had barely noticed the view.Every evening, after returning from work, I went to Vena's room, and every time the same thing happened. She tries to leave.The moment she sees me, fear settles into those hazel eyes, and she would struggle to climb out of bed despite her injured ankle. If I stayed on the couch, she would attempt to limp toward the door. If I moved to stop her from hurting herself, she became even more frightened.Last night was no different, she still insisted on watching me, resting against the headboard with the duvet pulled tightly around her che and refusing to close her eyes. Eventually, exhaustion won and she had fallen asleep sitting up.I closed my eyes briefly and sighed. Vena had always feared me, bu
Vena.I stirred at the feeling of something brushing gently through my hair and at first I almost sank into the peaceful moment. But then I opened my eyes and I felt the breath knocked out of me.Nikolai stood beside my bed.My room was dimly lit with the curtains only partly drawn, allowing the almost full moon light to spill across the floor. He had clearly just returned from work. His suit was perfectly pressed, but his tie had been loosened around his neck, and the top button of his shirt was undone and in one hand, he held a dark glass bottle.His other hand had been resting in my hair.The second our eyes met, I jerked backward and my heart slammed painfully against my ribs as my fear came first on instincts before the memory of what he had done to me. My breathing became uneven as I pulled the duvet tightly against myself.Nikolai immediately withdrew his hand and took one slow step backward without saying a word.It had been a week since I had last seen him. All my time in the
Vena.The moment the car came to a stop outside the mansion, I let out a slow breath.Three more days had passed since I woke up in the hospital, and although the doctors finally agreed to discharge me, they had made it very clear that I was not fully recovered. My left ankle was still wrapped in a thick bandage, making it painful to put too much weight on it, and another bandage circled my neck.Most of the bruises covering my body had begun fading into shades of yellow and purple, but they still ached every time I moved.Mikhail got out of the car, and opened the door as Elena blushed."Careful," Sasha said gently as she offered me her hand and I accepted it, wincing slightly as I climbed out.Elena immediately moved to my other side, slipping an arm carefully around my waist."We've got you," she smiled as she forced herself to look away from Mikhail who said nothing before he drove out of the house.“Not even a goodbye.” Elena scoffed as Sasha shook her head.“I don’t know how you
Nikolai.The impact echoed across the training grounds as my shoulder slammed into Ivan, forcing him backward before he caught himself and rolled back to his feet.I barely had time to recover before Mikhail came at me from my left. I ducked his punch, caught his wrist, and twisted hard enough to throw him off balance before driving my elbow into his ribs.He grunted, stumbling several steps away.The three of us circled each other again. The air conditioner was on but sweat coated our skin.Ivan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth before smirking. "You've been distracted all week.""I haven't." I replied through gritted teeth."You missed.""I didn't.""You did."Before he could finish speaking, I lunged at him in annoyance. Ivan was faster than me, he always had been.His movements were lighter, quicker, harder to predict, but speed came at a cost. He burned through his energy far quicker than I ever did.I was stronger and had more stamina to counter every move he could thi
Vena.The first thing I noticed when I opened my eyes was the antiseptic smell.Not like the cedarwood scent that lingered throughout Nikolai's mansion. Instead, the air carried the sharp scent of medicine and fresh linen, making my nose wrinkle slightly.The bright white ceiling above me blurred for a moment before coming into focus, and I frowned. My head felt strangely light, as though I had been asleep for days, and every part of my body ached with a dull heaviness that made even breathing feel exhausting.Before I could gather my thoughts, the door opened and two familiar faces stepped inside."Vena!" Elena gasped, as she hurried toward me so quickly that Sasha had to rush after her."You're awake!" Elena exclaimed, relief washing over her face.I blinked at them in confusion before trying to sit up but the sudden movement immediately made my body protest as a groan escaped my lips as dizziness washed over me."Easy," Sasha said softly, quickly reaching the bed to support my back
Nikolai.I rushed upstairs.For the first time ever, I felt something I had spent years trying to convince myself I would never be able to feel, fear. It sounded foreign to me, the feeling was weird.The memory of Miriam’s voice stayed with me with every step I took.“She is scared of you.”I gripped the doorknob tightly and just stood for a while, I couldn’t open the door. I already knew who and what waited for me on the other side.In the end, I pushed the door open, Vena was asleep in my bed, and just the sight of her sent strange emotions through me, especially now that I knew she was carrying my child.She looked better than when I had left her yesterday. Miriam had clearly cleaned the dirt from her skin and changed her clothes, but that only made everything else more obvious.The exhaustion and evidence of everything that had happened in my fit of anger.Her pale skin showed every mark from yesterday, and my stomach turned because I knew I was the reason.I stepped closer slowly.
Vena.The next time I opened my eyes, I thought I had died.I was back in my room in House Rose, the air was thick a metallic scent.For a moment, I couldn’t breathe.Then the pain hit.It was everywhere. Between my legs. Along my neck. My wrists. My thighs. My body felt split open, hollowed out and
VenaI woke up with a sharp ache pressing behind my eyes.For a few long seconds, I did not move. I just lay there, staring at the pale strip of light cutting across the dark ceiling above me. Someone had opened the curtains while I slept. Only a small gap, just enough to let morning light in.My he
VenaI woke up with a dry throat and my head felt like there was someone playing drums in there. It took a few seconds for me to remember where I was. The ceilings weren't familiar and I didn't remember my bed to be this comfortable.I blinked again, slowly sitting up as memories of earlier today re
Vena.I didn't realize so much time had passed in the garden glasshouse. I had found some tools by accident.At the very back of the glasshouse, behind a row of tangled vines and a leaning wooden shelf, there was a small storage cabinet half hidden by overgrowth. It looked like it hadn’t been opened







