“I’m happy to hear that. Good job.”

Leon says goodnight and I hang up the phone.

Turning towards the door, I see Raisa standing there.

“How much did you hear?” I ask.

“Not enough to understand what is going on. Did you meet with Rodion—what happened?”

My stomach tightens. I am not sure she will be happy with the offer I made for her brothers. I don’t know if she will think it is fair enough, seeing as her and I are married.

“Raisa, your brother asked if your family and my family could be allied. I agreed to that. It is what I wanted from the start.“

“Ok, but then why do you look so tense?”

I sigh, running my hand through my hair. “Because he asked to be my equal. And I didn’t agree in the way he wanted.”

“Does that mean you agreed in a different way?”

“Yes, I told him he could earn it. That I would help him achieve that—but that it isn’t something I can just hand to him.”

Raisa smiles. “Are you serious? You will really help them out like that?” She sounds so happy. I thought she was going to be angry that I didn’t make it easier for them.

“Yes, you aren’t upset?” I ask, checking to make sure.

“Why would I be upset? That is so amazing and I’m so happy.” She runs towards me, straight into my arms, hugging me tightly.

My heart is bursting with happiness.

All I have ever wanted was to make her happy and now that all of the mayhem and chaos is over, I finally seem to be achieving that.

But now that it is over—is she going to want to leave?

My jaw clenches and my entire body stiffens. She senses the change in me and steps away to look up at me.

“Oleg, what’s wrong?”

“We need to talk.”

I take her hand and lead her to the sofa. Sitting her down next to me.

“Raisa, everything is over. Technically you don’t have to stay married to me if you—“ my throat tightens and I can’t seem to get the words out. I don’t even want to suggest that she leaves. I don’t know how I will manage to get through that.

She glares at me with her eyes wide and her mouth dropped open.

“Is that what you want?” she asks, her voice small and tight.

“No, it’s the last thing that I want. If I had my way, you would never leave my side—“

“Oleg, I love you,” she blurts out—then stares at me with fear in her eyes.

She doesn’t even blink, just watches, waiting for my response.

I stare back in disbelief. Did I hear her right?

“You love me?”

She nods slowly, biting her lower lip.