Lahat ng Kabanata ng Craving Him, My Step-Brother : Kabanata 121 - Kabanata 130

Ivana’s POVThe moment I stepped out of the gallery building, exhaustion settled in my bones like a second skin. My whole body was aching like I had done some tedious work but the reverse was the case, still, the day had been emotionally draining, overwhelming even. After reconnecting with Aria and being introduced to other artists with curious eyes and eager compliments, I had barely been able to keep my composure.Now that it was finally all over, all I wanted was the comfort of silence but with the kids, it sounded almost impossible. Shutting my eyes tightly, I wanted to let out a little wince. Only if I was back in New York, I had nothing to worry about as mom was going to help me handle them. Pulling my feet towards the ride I had ordered, I slid in and immediately my head connected with the headrest, I fell asleep. “We have arrived." I kept hearing this in my sleep until the chauffeur tugged my arm, causing me to snap my eyes open in fright. Flashing an apologetic smile, I

Ruslan’s POVAtina’s sudden return from Italy was suspicious but I didn't dwell on that long enough for it to make me start snooping around and now that is my top most regret. I should have known she couldn’t be trusted and so I should be walking on nails around her but it was too late now.She had gotten so bold that despite my confrontation, she still went ahead to do what she wanted. Well, it was a fatal mistake on her end as I’m not going to let it slide. With Nico and Felix looking after Ivana in the National Gallery, my focus was on Benny and the kids who were safe to the best of my knowledge. The moment Walter confirmed Atina’s movements, times, locations and encrypted messages, I knew I was up with a familiar enemy. Since last night, we had been trying to track her down but we only got a breakthrough this morning after Walter was able to find a loophole.Lara was furious when she discovered it but my emotion remained the same. Betrayal wasn’t new to me as it just had to c

Ruslan’s POVI was fuming.Five hours had passed since Atina made her move, five agonizing and infuriating hours but still, there was nothing.There was not a single trace of her, not even a goddamn footprint that could be used to track her down. It was as if she had vanished into thin air with the children, and the mere thought of it made my blood boil.I had every resource at my disposal combing through the streets of Moscow and the countryside beyond. Drones, local informants, even our private satellite feeds were all over the country, yet nothing.Fist pumping the air in anger, I let out a loud agonizing scream that sent all my organs on fire. “Walter sent in the report." Nico said, halting several meters away. “The kids, where are they?" I asked, staring hard at the ground, hoping it wouldn't be the same response I had been hearing for the past five hours. “Nothing." I was going to yell out my lungs but something inside of me made me swallow my words as I turned around slowl

Ivana’s POV“Benny told you the kids are safe." Ruslan said, causing me to halt at the foot of the stairs.Biting the inside of my cheek, I turned around to face him, my eyes glimmering with anger as my head processed a million and one thoughts at the same time. Shifting my gaze away from him, I let out a low sigh. “That is what he said before he went code blue." I said through my teeth. I didn't want to talk to him but he was forcing me to.It was a miracle that I didn't snap at him as that was what I intended to do. “And you believed him?" He sounded like I was a fool for holding onto Benny's last words. “If you have nothing else to say to me, go find my kids and bring them back to me. You are the one who caused this mess so you should clean it up." I snapped, storming up the stairs only to halt.Snapping my head to face him again, I said, “God save you if I don't get my kids back in a piece." I said with an air of finality. "You can't trust a damn word that bastard said!" Rusla

Ivana’s POVWith Ruslan gone, I raised my head slowly, trying to process all what he had said but it all sounded like a drunk man talking. But looking at it from another direction, Ruslan was his brother so he knew exactly how he thinks.Benny was capable of what he has accused him of but I was hoping it was all a lie. Shifting my gaze back to the bed, my eyes landed on Benny. He was lying motionless on the bed staring at me but he said nothing. Each move I took, he followed it and now I was starting to form another theory in my head. The doctor said it was trauma, Ruslan thought it was manipulation. Me? I don’t know anymore.At some point, Benny acted like it was indeed trauma and at another point, it all looked like pretense.But right now, none of that mattered. All I knew was that I needed him to open his damn mouth and tell me where my babies were.He had said they were safe, he had whispered it but I heard it clearly as he clutched my wrist with his blood slicked fingers, lo