Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 76820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
I have to find out who I am without Viktor. Without my family. I have to search my emotions and make sure what I feel for Viktor isn’t Stockholm syndrome. I have to deal with the grief and guilt.
I have to do this for myself.
I point at the monitor. “Only leave thirty thousand dollars in the account. Ten thousand for every year I spent here.”
“Fuck no,” he snaps. “That’s nothing! At least take twenty-five million. It’s half.”
“No. Thirty thousand is enough,” I argue, standing my ground. When he opens his mouth, I dart forward and press my fingers to his lips. “Stop, Viktor. I’m begging you. Let me go on my own terms, and I promise, if things don’t work out and I need you, I’ll call.”
He stares at me for a long moment before he nods. “But you’re taking the phone I got you. It’s not negotiable. It has my number on it.”
I give him a trembling smile. “Okay.”
He gives me a pleading look. “Please, just take Joseph to guard you.”
“We had this discussion yesterday. I’m not taking guards. It will feel like I’m still a captive.”
“Blyadʹ,” Viktor curses. “I’m really regretting my promise to let you go.”
“I kept mine,” I remind him. “I gave you two days. Give me my freedom.”
He shakes his head as he takes the device and charger out of his drawer and hands them to me. “I have one more thing.”
I watch as he pulls a slender black case from the drawer. When I open it with trembling fingers, I stare at the necklace and a rose pendant.
My throat closes up as I say, “It’s beautiful.”
“I had it made for you.” Viktor lifts the chain out of the case and moves behind me.
I gather my hair, and when he places the platinum necklace around my neck, tears threaten to fall.
Why does it feel wrong leaving him?
God, I’m so messed up.
Viktor wraps his arms around me and presses a kiss to the top of my head. “Happy birthday, moya Malen'kaya Roza.”
I grip hold of his forearms, and my shoulders shudder under the strain of the heartache.
“Boss, everything is ready,” I hear Joseph say.
I feel Viktor nod, but he doesn’t let go of me. Instead, his hold on me tightens, and he presses kisses to the side of my neck and face.
“You don’t mind taking care of Luna until I send for her?” I ask, my voice quivering. I need to settle down before I can bring her to New York.
“At least I’ll have one of you for a little longer.”
God. My heart.
“I have to go,” I plead.
Or I won’t leave at all.
I feel a tremor rake through his body before he lowers his arms. I turn around and rush to the door, but Viktor's hoarse voice stops me. “Rosalie.”
I don’t turn back to face him. “Yes.”
“Tell me one last lie.”
My body starts to shudder as tears spill down my cheeks. “I hate you, Viktor.” A sob escapes me, and the rest of my words come out strained. “I won’t miss you at all.”
I dart out of the room and flee from the house that’s been my prison for three years.
I have so many mixed feelings about my captivity. There were bad and good days. I lost so much, but I also gained.
Sobs burst from me when I hear Luna bark. I quickly climb into the backseat of the SUV, and when Joseph drives toward the gates, I glance out the back window. Seeing Viktor standing next to Luna, my heart shatters into a million pieces.
Tears stream down my face, and it takes the last of my strength not to ask Joseph to stop the car and run back to them.
You have to do this, Rosalie. For yourself.
Don’t look back.
You have to deal with the sorrow, the guilt, and the love that stole your heart.
You have to figure out what is real and what isn’t.
Don’t look back.
I close my eyes and cover my face with my hands as I weep while Joseph drives me to the private jet that’s standing ready to take me to New York.
Chapter 18
Viktor
I watch the SUV drive out of the gates, every muscle in my body straining not to run after her.
She needs this, Viktor. If she comes back out of her own free will, she will be yours to keep. Forcing her to stay is everything your family is against.
“You did the right thing,” Dad suddenly says behind me.
“Then why does it feel wrong?”
He pats Luna’s head. “Come, girl.” He throws an arm around my shoulder and steers me to the house I grew up in. “You’re both staying with us tonight. I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
“I’ll be fine,” I mutter as I pull back. “But Luna can stay with you.”
“Viktor.” Dad gives me a look of warning. “Just give it twenty-four hours for the initial pain to pass.”