She clutched her chest, struggling to breathe. "I destroyed you, child. I'm a sinner."
I let go of the suitcase and walked over, gently embracing Olga. Her body went rigid, then she hugged me back tightly.
"No, Olga." I whispered in her ear. "This isn't your fault."
I pulled back and wiped her tears.
"Thank you for everything. Really. You were the only person in this house who made me feel warm."
I picked up my suitcase again, forcing myself tosmile at her.
"Take care, Madam Olga."
I made myself ignore Olga's sobs and walked away.
The door opened slowly before me.
The air after the rain was damp and cold. I took a deep breath and stepped through the gate.
Kirill Orlov.
May we never meet again.
Chapter Twenty
Kirill
"I shouldn't have done that last night."
Genevie's voice hit me the second I stepped into the hospital room, soft as crystal about to shatter. She sat on the bed, blonde hair spilling over her shoulders, face chalk-white, looking fragile as hell.
I didn't answer. Just stood in the doorway, letting the morning light stream in behind me. A sleepless night had left my eyes burning, temples pounding. Fuck. I should be here caring about my first love, but my head was full of someone else.
"Kirill?" Genevie called tentatively.
I finally moved, crossing to the chair by her bed. My movements were stiff as a goddamn robot. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine." She rushed to say, then bit her lower lip. "I mean, last night when I kissed you—I shouldn't have. I was just so scared. I thought... I thought I'd lose the baby. I couldn't control myself..."
"Don't." I cut her off, voice colder than I'd intended.
Genevie froze, hurt flashing in those blue eyes. Shit. I didn't mean it like that.
But I really didn't want to talk about this.
"Discharge papers are done." I kept my eyes down, pulling a slip ofpaper from my pocket and handing it over. "This is your new address. Pack your things from the manor, then go straight there. It's safer. Better for the pregnancy."
Genevie took the paper, fingers trembling. "You're... you're kicking me out?"
"I'm protecting you," I corrected, still sounding like a complete asshole. "Julian's people might still be looking for you. The manor's too exposed. The new place is more secure."
It was true. But really, I didn't want her to stay in that house anymore. Didn't want her anywhere near Harper. If she still harbored those old feelings, it would only make Harper's misunderstanding about me worse.
Genevie bit down hard, staring at the paper. Her lips trembled like she wanted to say something.
But before she could, my phone rang.
I glanced at the caller ID—the guard from the basement. My heart seized for no damn reason.
