Page 65 of The Arrangement

Igor's mood lightens, a smile breaking through the somber atmosphere as he looks at us. "You two deserve some rest, a bit of peace after everything you've been through," he says, the warmth in his voice a balm.

Maksim reaches out, placing a reassuring hand on his father's shoulder. "We'd love to have you over this weekend. It'd be good for all of us," he suggests, the invitation genuine and open.

Igor nods, his expression softening further. "I'd like that," he agrees, a sense of relief in his acceptance. With one final smile of gratitude and affection, he makes his way out, leaving us to process the whirlwind of events that have brought us to this moment.

The road ahead will clearly be filled with its own set of challenges, particularly for Igor. But there's a sense of unity, a strength in the promise of facing them together.

With Igor gone, the room feels a whole lot quieter, a private bubble in the midst of the hospital's ceaseless hum. Maksim looks at me, his face etching into something serious, and my heart kicks up a notch. Is another storm coming?

I dive right in, overflowing with gratitude. "Maksim, I can't even start to thank you enough for everything you did tonight, for saving me." I mean every word, feeling both awe and deep appreciation for this man who's turned my world upside down in the best way possible. “I shou—”

He cuts me off with a simple, "No." That's it. Just "no." And I'm sitting here, totally befuddled.

He moves closer, perches on the edge of the bed, and takes my hand in his. The serious vibe doesn't budge, and if anything, it deepens. "No, I'm the one who should be thanking you," he insists, and I'm not sure where he's going with this. "You've opened my heart in ways I didn't even know were closed. You reminded me there's so much more to life than this endless cycle of scheming and crime.

“And… thank you for the gift of carrying our child," he says, and there's a shimmer in his eyes, like he's on the verge of tears. But just as quick as I think I see it, it's gone, like a raindrop evaporating in the sun.

"And, I need to apologize."

I squeeze his hand, trying to convey a world of support and confusion in one gesture. "Maksim, apologize for what? After everything tonight, I can't imagine..."

He looks away for a moment, collecting his thoughts, then locks his gaze back on mine. His voice drops. "I need to apologize for being a coward," he starts, and a bubble of laughter threatens to escape. The idea of him, of all people, being a coward just doesn't add up.

But he's serious, his gaze steady. "I've been hiding my feelings, Tory. Carrying this love for you in my heart, but too afraid to let it out. I've been a coward in that sense."

His confession stops me cold, laughter dying on my lips.

"I can't hide it anymore. I love you, Tory. Truly, deeply, endlessly. And I want to spend my life protecting you, being with you if that's what you want."

The room feels charged, filled with the gravity of his words, his offer hanging between us like a lifeline.

"But if you don't want this, if you don't want the danger and the complications that come with my world, I'll understand. I'll step back, and I won't trouble you with it again," he finishes, his voice barely above a whisper, leaving the choice entirely in my hands.

How do you even respond to an offer like that? To a declaration so raw and earnest? It's overwhelming, the depth of his love, the sincerity in his offer to either dive into this life together or to let me go for my own peace.

I reach for his hand, entwining our fingers together, the gesture simple but filled with my own unsaid feelings. "Maksim," I say, my voice steady, "I don't want an out. I want this life, as complicated and dangerous as it may be, but only if it's with you.

"I love you too, Maksim," I whisper, the words feeling like they're sealing some sacred vow between us. We lean in for a hug, a perfect movie moment, until I let out a sudden "Ow!"

“What? What’s wrong?” he asks, looking at me.

“Apparently, I'm a bit more banged up than I realized.”

Maksim’s concern is etched in every line of his face. "Maybe we should stay a bit longer in the hospital," he suggests, always the protector.

"Hell no," I answer immediately. “The idea of spending one more minute in this hospital room is about as appealing as a root canal without anesthetic.”

He chuckles, the sound warm in the sterile room. Then he gets serious again, but there's a twinkle in his eye. "And if you even think about joking that you're going back to your office and that damn Murphy bed, you've got another think coming."

A surprised laugh escapes my lips, remembering all the times that Murphy bed had been the center of our little adventures. "Hey, I've got some pretty good memories of that Murphy bed," I retort playfully. “Thanks to you.”

His voice is soft but firm when he says, "I want you to come home with me, Tory. To live with Adelina and me."

The words wash over me like a balm, soothing away the last of my doubts. His offer is everything I didn't know I needed to hear. Smiling, I look into his eyes, seeing our future reflected back at me. "I'd like that," I say, my heart full. "I'd like that very much."

And just like that, in a hospital room that's seen more than its fair share of pain and heartache, we find a moment of perfect happiness.

Chapter 35

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