Page 48 of Imperfect Desires

The room is still dim, and the morning sun is casting pale light through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The silk sheets are warm beneath my skin, and the air is thick with the lingering scent of him.

Lev.

A sleepy smile tugs at my lips as I stretch beneath the covers. My body aches in the best way—every muscle tender, my skin still burning from where his hands touched me. My heart hums with quiet happiness.

Last night felt… right.

It was like finally crossing a line we were always meant to cross. My hand slides across the sheets, searching for him. But the bed beside me is cold. I open my eyes to find the room empty.

I sit up, my pulse quickening. My gaze sweeps toward the chair by the window where Lev’s clothes were last night.

Gone.

My chest tightens painfully. I push the sheets back and slide out of bed, my bare feet hitting the cool marble floor.

"Lev?"

No answer.

I cross the room and open the door to the bathroom. The lights are off, and the bathroom is empty. My palms begin to sweat, and my heart begins to pound. Maybe he went downstairs. Maybe he’s just giving me space. But deep down, I know better.

There’s a kind of heaviness in the room—an emptiness in the air that feels final, and I feel a painful twist in my stomach. I returnto the bed and sit on the edge, gripping the sheets in my fists. My breathing feels too loud in the quiet room.

He fucking left again.

I press my hands to my face and exhale shakily, refusing to overthink it. I go about getting ready for the day, with one goal in mind. I am going to confront Lev Ivanov and make him define what he feels. I will not let him withdraw from me again.

Later That Morning

I sit stiffly at the breakfast table in the private suite Viktor reserved for the family. The whole place is buzzing with post-event chatter—the grand opening of Viktor’s hotel was a success.

Yelena sits to my left, scrolling through her phone. Scarlett sits across from me, nursing a cup of coffee. She and Viktor’s twins are at their high table, getting ready to make a mess of any meal that is put in front of them. Scarlett insists on letting them eat certain meals themselves when it is just family at the table. She says it helps them develop their motor skills.

Whatever that means.

Viktor sits at the head of the table, his expression composed as he discusses business with one of his men standing near the door.

Where is Lev?

I push my food around my plate, feeling Yelena’s eyes flick toward me. Scarlett’s gaze lingers too, calm and assessing.

I try to act normal. Keep my expression still. Pretend that my heart isn’t splitting open beneath my ribs.

But Yelena notices.

She always does.

That evening, I’m sitting on the edge of my bed when a knock sounds on my door, and Scarlett and Yelena step into the room.

"Hey."

I offer a weak smile. "Hey." They both respond.

Scarlett closes the door behind her and sits down beside me. Her hair cascades down her back, her hand resting lightly on her knee.

"Are you okay?" Scarlett’s voice is soft.

"I’m fine."

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