Inside, suspended in the noxious fluid, were genitalia; a gruesome reminder of Tiffany’s dark secret. It was a shocking sight, one that defied reason, and sent a wave of nausea washing over me.

Tiffany spoke softly, her voice heavy with the weight of her confession. “I told you, Viktor. I’m not the sweet, innocent woman you believed me to be.”

I tore my gaze away from the horrific display, meeting her eyes. In that moment, I understood the depth of her darkness, the demons she had battled in the shadows.

And how she’d protected me. I understood what she meant by cleaning up her messes. It was then I realized that my wife was the perfect woman for me. She deserved to stand by my side.

So I wouldn’t punish her this time.

I stalked toward her, removing my tie.

“Take your clothes off,” I growled. We were going to fuck right here, right now, so she knows that I accept everything about her.

She closed the jar, sealing away the grotesque truth. Tiffany peeled off her clothes, standing in front of me. When I looked into her eyes and saw the vulnerability there, I let go of the past. Our reign would hold trust and love. Something we are finding together.

My voice was hoarse as I commanded, “bend over for me.”

“Am I being punished now?” She purred, running a hand up my arm.

I laughed, I couldn’t help it. She loved everything I did to her body.

“That can be arranged.” I lifted her up and she wrapped her legs around me.

“You’re wearing too many clothes,” she said between kisses on my neck.

I changed the course of where we would end up. I moved us to the bedroom. I didn’t want to rush. I wanted to slow down and passionately take my time with her.

“I love you,milyy,”I whispered in her ear.

“You don’t have to say anything, Viktor. I already know.”

I wrapped a hand around her throat. “Say what I want to hear.”

She pursed her lips and folded her arms in front of herself.

I leaned forward and bit her cheek until she squealed, liking the mark it left behind.

“Say it.”

She sighed. “I love you too.”

“What a change from that ice cream parlor,” I joked.

Tiffany rolled over on top of me and smiled down. “If you hadn’t said it, I would’ve put your penis in my collection.”

I shuddered. “Good thing you like my cock then.”

Her smile grew wider. “For now.”

She slid down onto my cock before I could say anything more than a grunt. I stared into her eyes as we made love to each other for the first time. It was beautiful, a little nasty, and us all wrapped in one.

In spite of the darkness we both shared now being unveiled, a glimmer of something else remained; a connection, a bond that defied reason. It was a complex truth, one that would continue to shape our tumultuous journey, leading us deeper into the shadows of our own making.

Together. Forever, bound.

EPILOGUE ONE

EPILOGUE ONE