Page 36 of Roman Petrov

She looks happy for the first time in a week.

“You know, I’m not a bad man. I just don’t want anyone touching what’s mine.” I stab my fork into my carbonara and then hold the morsel up to emphasize myself. “And, you are. As long as you wear that ring.” I gesture to her left hand wrapped around her wine flute.

She lifts her arm, twirling the diamond around her dainty digit. “I get that, now.”

I half expect her to pull it off, but she twists it back to show off its full glory.

That may be a good sign.

It’s a whole different kind of high being able to tell everyone she belongs to me. The shiny stone is just a tiny representation of how much she’s grown to mean to me.

I never expected to want her as badly as I do.

As the dessert dishes are cleared, I pull out the papers she wants so badly to sign.

The ones adding me to the deed.

Just a single step after this clears.

Divorce.

My stomach rolls at the thought of her leaving. But, I can’t force her to stay. I’m not like the Kosovich family that tried so hard to ruin us.

Marriage by force doesn’t exist under my father’s laws.

Nor mine.

Her face pales as she picks up her pen. “How long until this is finalized?” she whispers.

The tip hovers over the surface shakily.

Is she reluctant to sign?

“Just a few more weeks.” I wish it was forever.

She swallows hard before scratching her name on the line.

I don’t know why, but it feels like the air got thicker and heavy on my shoulders.

The countdown is on.

“Can we please go?” She looks up, and I swear I see the sheen of tears in her eyes.

“Of course.” Giving her my hand, I help her rise from her chair and tug her close.

I want to feel her against me as long as she lets me.

16

NADIA

SONG, ON YOUR KNEES, EX HABIT

https://ffm.to/onknees

I’ve locked myself away from him for the night. Dinner was too much, it all felt… too real. Every time I look into his deep brown eyes, I get lost, yet find myself at the same time.

The idea of our future together, the fear of letting him have my heart only for him to crush it.

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