Page 55 of Forgotten Vows
Emil answered, staring at me sternly. “Report,” he ordered the guard as a greeting.
I wasn’t waiting for a fucking report.
Someone was trying to hurt my son.
I gestured at the driver to step on it. He didn’t hesitate, pulling away with a sharp and speedy turn. As the car rocked with the instant momentum, I leaned against the door and prayed I would get there in time to save Lev from the merest hint of danger.
I’d only just found my son.
Lev had only just come into my life.
And I refused to entertain the possibility of losing him.
Ever.
Not now, not ever.
I would annihilate anyone who tried to harm my son.
24
RAISA
When Lev asked Ivan if he would take him to school the next day, I couldn’t tell whether I was glad to have brought him here or not.
It was silly, petty, and selfish of me, but I couldn’t deny how much it hurt for my son to choose Ivan instead of me. I wasn’t so emotional and nonsensical as to jump to any wild conclusions that Lev was replacing me. I was still his mother. I was still the one he smiled so freely at, the one he ran to for a hug.
But there was also no denying how much he was getting attached to Ivan. And he should. He was his son. Yet, it hurt to hear him request Ivan… It stung to think of not being the most important person in his world.
More so, as I lay in bed and stared up at the ceiling, I realized how much this was forcing me to adapt like Lev was.
Each night that Ivan and I came together, pulled in this dance of desire we couldn’t stop or slow down, I had to seriously wonder how much longer I’d hold back. How much longer I could trick myself into believing there was no way I could love him again.
Because that was the last missing piece to our puzzle.
Lust was one matter. The chemistry between us wouldn’t expire. If Lev was waiting to see us as a couple, as a partnership he could equally rely on, then I had to get over my misgivings and grudge to forgive Ivan once and for all. I had to put it to rest that if it ever came down to it, Ivan would choose me and our son, and never walk away again.
I got up and mused at how drastically my life had changed—and for the better. Gone were the days of hurrying to get up, slave away for long hours at a job, then hustle home to be there to watch over Lev. All on my own. Forever watching every single penny to my name.
That hustle and grind was a thing of the past. If I could embrace being with Ivan for good, I wouldn’t ever have to stress financially again.
I could try to work on opening a women’s shelter like I’ve always dreamed of.
A pregnancy clinic, free for all.
Those were causes near and dear to me since that was how I’d handled my pregnancy on the run. It was how I’d managed to give birth to Lev without any serious medical woes or complications. If I could ever do anything right in my life, it would be to pay it back like that. To give back to society in a way that had changed my own life and the life of my son.
After I dressed and exited my room, I wondered how I’d pass the long hours until Lev was home. Until Ivan was back, too. If this was what it was like to be a kept woman, or a woman of leisure, count me out. I needed something todo.
I didn’t expect a summons to come so quickly. Before I finished a cup of coffee, Allan, Luka’s personal assistant, approached.
“Mr. Dubinin would like to speak to you in his study.”
I paused with the cup at my lips. Going still, I let this news sink in. The moment had come. Luka was either frustratedwith the slow speed of his men investigating and wanted to interrogate me himself or he had news that he wanted to expel me and my son from his home.
Stop. He’s not going to kick us out. He cares about Ivan so he’ll care about Lev.
As for me, though…
