"I got something for you."
I held out the pink card, hands trembling bad. Embarrassing. I stared at his suit button, avoiding his eyes.
"What's this?" He eyed it, didn't take it.
I mustered courage, glanced up.
"Words I wanted to say to you."
Done. My heart pounded like it might burst. First confession ever—after giving him my virginity. Order felt off?
Silence dragged. Felt like an eternity for me. I looked up.
Kirill stared at the envelope, brow twitching faintly, like it didn't belong.
My heart sank, but he took it.
Okay, maybe he was just startled.
I held my breath, waiting for him to open it, see inside, maybe crack a smile.
He didn't.
"I'll look at it."
He tucked it in his jacket pocket.
"Okay." I dropped my head, hiding disappointment.
Kirill turned and pulled a card from the nightstand drawer.
"This month's allowance."
His tone stayed flat, matter-of-fact. "Password's six zeros. I added extra. For Aiden's surgery. Rehab too. Take it."
I stood, blinking at the card.
"Thanks, Kirill." My voice cracked, choked without realizing. "Really."
"No need." He was unmoved. "Just doing my duty."
I couldn't help smiling.
Duty, deal, whatever—he helped. And we felt closer.
"So... Aiden's surgery, when?" I pushed, testing. "I'm thinking the sooner the better?"
After the payment was cleared, Aiden had been on the waiting list ever since. Although the doctor Kirill had introduced had already taken over his case, the surgery never seemed to make it onto the schedule—probably because Kirill had other arrangements.
"I've been reaching out to top specialists in cardiology. The soonest is next month," Kirill said, pausing for a moment before adding, "No need to be so formal. We're married now. Taking care of family is part of the deal."
Married. Family. Part of the deal.
My heart gave a hard, sudden thud.
God, am I dreaming?
Last night's tenderness, this morning's concern,and now the casual way he said "married"—all these pieces fit together and sent my mind spinning in wild directions.
