“That’s not an answer.”
Because he doesn’t trust me anymore. Because I’m not so sure I trust him.“It’s?—”
“—complicated,” Kallie finishes for me. “Heard you the first time.”
It’s not just that. But I can’t tell Kallie. I can’t tell anyone.
Because what I’ve done is unforgivable.
“Alright, let’s try something simple then,” she says. “Do you still love him?”
Yes. Of course I do. How could I not?
“It doesn’t matter,” I murmur. “I have to focus on my kids now. They come first.”
Kallie’s smile turns sad. “That doesn’t mean you can’t be selfish once in a while.”
Actually, that’s exactly what it means.
But she lets me slide, for the time being at least. After that, the conversation moves to lighter topics. We pack up the place, make sure there are no uninvited guests in the boxes, and give Nikita’s crew of bodyguards the green light to haul it all into a truck.
I take one last look at my apartment. It’s empty now, with none of the organized chaos of my life or Eli’s.
I’ll never be back here.The realization sinks in slowly. Whatever happens with Yulian, I’ll need security after the baby is born. A place with good locks, electronic systems, safety measures.
And if I do end up staying at his penthouse…
No. Don’t think about it. You don’t have the right.
Not after what you did.
With a heavy heart, I touch my empty pocket. For months, I kept my flash drive there, never letting it out of my sight. Now, it’s gone.
Because I destroyed it.
13
YULIAN
Mia’s stubbornness clings to me all morning. My skin crawls with frustration and barely suppressed rage. Focusing on work is impossible—all I can think about is her recklessness, her refusal to obey.
She’s carrying my child.Mine.And yet, she keeps acting like she’s got no one else to answer to.
Then fucking remind her,the dark part of me urges.Call the shots. Show her who’s in charge.
But I can’t. Because that would make me exactly like him.
I grind my teeth into dust the whole way back to the penthouse. Mia said she would be back at noon with her boxes. I’m going to make damn sure she’s keeping her word.
Fuck knows she has a shit track record at that.
“You’re being unfair to her, you know.” Maksim speaks like he’s been reading my thoughts. He’s lint off his jacket as he watches me pace a hole through my own living room floor. “Mia’s always been responsible. She won’t put the rugrat in danger.”
“Excuse me if I don’t take your word for it.”
“You don’t have to. Take history’s.”
“Which part of history?” I ask. “The part where she lied to me? Where she let me think for months the child she was carrying was Brad’s?”
