Chapter 140: 140

Chapter 140

I've Missed You, Wife

“How did you know I was in danger??!” I asked.

Nikolas’s eyes softened.

“I felt it… I knew something was off from the moment I saw someone standing by the window…” he said quietly.

“She was by the window…” I said, still trembling a little, remembering how Mandy almost stabbed me.

He nodded slowly, breathing out as if the thought alone still scared him. “I saw her shadow, Cassy. I felt something was wrong. My body just moved before I could think. I don’t know… I just had this rush that if I didn’t come in that moment, something bad would happen to you.”

I looked at him, my heart heavy but full of relief.

I hugged him tight, burying my face in his hair, breathing in his scent that always seemed to calm me.

He drew me out gently, his eyes looking right into mine. There was something soft yet intense about it.

His hand found my waist, pulling me a little closer.

“I’ve missed you a lot, wife…” he said with a smile, brushing his thumb on my cheek.

I smiled back faintly, my lips trembling a little. “You have me…”

He leaned closer and kissed me, slow and soft at first, then firmer, like he was assuring me through his lips that I was safe now.

His warmth melted into mine.

I didn’t know how long we stayed like that.

His hands traced up to my back, holding me in place like he was afraid I might disappear.

I rested my forehead on his chest, feeling his heart beating hard under his shirt.

We stood that way for a while until my tears started rolling. I didn’t even know why I was crying.

“Hey…” he whispered, brushing them away with his thumb. “Don’t cry, love.”

I sniffed a little.

He leaned his head on mine and sighed. “Let’s forget tonight, please. I can’t bear to remember that sight again. Seeing her holding that knife close to you… it broke something inside me.”

“I know…” I said quietly. “It’s over now.”

He nodded and pulled me close again.

He traced his hand down to my cleavage and then under my leg.

I moaned into his mouth as his lips remained fixed to mine.

I unbuttoned his shirt, my hands tracing down his back and then to his chest and nipples.

He drew me closer, his face reaching to my breat, he sucked in gently, and stroked the other with his hands.

“Omii!” I whispered, but I wanted more. I wanted him inside me badly.

I traced my hand down to his pnis, stroking it.

He quickly turned and pulled my clothes, removing my lingerie.

“Stay still…” he said.

In a few seconds, I was bare before him.

He bent over, reaching under my legs as I moaned his name.

THE NEXT DAY

I woke up early.

I turned slowly and saw Nikolas sleeping beside me.

His face looked calm, his lashes resting lightly, his breathing steady.

The memories of last night kept flashing in.

I just laid there, watching him and smiling without realizing it. There was something peaceful about seeing him like that.

Immediately he shut his eyes open and looked straight at me.

I blinked multiple times, almost dissolving. “Oh my God! I wasn’t looking at you…” I said quickly and covered my face with the duvet.

He laughed softly. “You’re still acting like a virgin, wife…” he said teasingly. “Remember you’re carrying my child.”

I gasped softly and uncovered my face, hitting his shoulder lightly. “You don’t have to say that out loud…”

He caught my hand and drew me closer to his chest. I placed my hand on it, feeling the steady beat beneath my palm.

He kissed my forehead gently. “You’re beautiful even when you panic,” he said.

I rolled my eyes but smiled. “Stop it…”

He brushed a loose strand of hair from my face. “I have something to tell you…”

I frowned slightly. “What’s that?”

“It’s about Bruno…” he said, his voice getting softer.

I blinked. “What about him..?”

“Why does he thinks I killed his daughter…” he said, looking away for a moment before meeting my eyes again.

I sighed. “Seriously, Nikolas… you don’t have to explain that to me.”

But he drew me back in. “No, Cassy. I want you to understand everything. You deserve to know the truth.”

I stayed quiet and listened.

He rubbed the back of his neck slowly, his gaze distant like he was replaying everything in his head. “It happened years ago… Bruno was working for me but I grew fond of him. I promised to help his business,  he needed cash urgently for his daughter’s treatment like he told you. I agreed. I even prepared the money. But something happened that night.”

He paused. I could see his jaw tightening.

“What happened?” I asked softly.

“My sister…” he whispered. “My little sister was kidnapped. They wanted me, Cassy. They used her as bait. I went instead of sending anyone else. But…” he stopped for a moment, swallowing hard. “She didn’t make it out alive.”

I covered my mouth slowly. “Nikolas…”

He breathed deep, staring at the floor. “She died in my place. I couldn’t think straight for weeks. Everything felt like smoke. The money I promised Bruno… I didn’t send it. Not because I didn’t want to, but because I was broken. I forgot about everything, business, promises, the world.”

I reached for his hand slowly. “You lost your sister… of course you couldn’t think straight…”

He shook his head slightly. “Bruno never knew. When his daughter died, he thought I betrayed him. He came to me months later, angry, broken, screaming that I killed her. I couldn’t even defend myself that day. I just stood there, taking it. I thought maybe I deserved his hate.”

Tears burned at the back of my eyes. “You didn’t deserve it…” I whispered.

He smiled faintly but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Maybe not. But I understand why he feels that way. His pain was too deep. I see it now.”

I moved closer, resting my head on his chest again. “You can’t keep blaming yourself for everything that happens, Nikolas…”

He ran his fingers slowly through my hair. “I know. But it’s hard. Sometimes I look at you and think about how fragile everything is. How one small delay, one wrong choice, can change everything. If I had sent that money earlier, maybe Bruno’s daughter would still be alive. Maybe I wouldn’t carry this guilt.”

I looked up at him. “You did what you could. And life doesn’t always wait for us to be perfect. Sometimes it just… happens.”

He stared at me for a long moment, then smiled faintly. “You always know what to say, wife.”

“I’m learning from the best,” I said teasingly.

He chuckled. “You’re my peace, Cassy.”

I took his face in my hands. “I know…”

He smiled and kissed my hand. “Good. Because I can’t live another day thinking I failed to protect you.”

“You didn’t fail me, Nikolas. You saved me. Again.”

He sighed and pulled me closer, wrapping me in his arms. I could feel the warmth of his body.

After a while, he spoke again. “Do you know the last thing my sister said before she was taken?”

I shook my head.

“She said, ‘Don’t worry, Niko. I’ll always keep you safe.’” His voice cracked slightly. “She was only fifteen, Cassy. And I wasn’t there when she needed me. That thought never leaves me.”

I felt my throat tighten. “She did keep you safe, Nikolas. Maybe in her own way. Maybe that’s why you have this sense m, this feeling when something’s wrong. Maybe she’s still protecting you.”

He looked at me like he wanted to believe it. “You think so?”

“I do,” I said. “She made sure you came in time last night.”

He smiled softly. “You always make pain sound lighter.”

“That’s because love heals, Nikolas. Even the deepest scars.”

He exhaled slowly. “You sound like peace itself…”

“That’s because I am,” I said, half-joking but meaning every word.

He laughed faintly, the tension on his face melting. “You’re crazy.”

“I know,” I said with a grin. “You married me anyway.”

He nodded. “And I’ll do it again and again.”

We both laughed softly. The moment felt light again, like the storm had passed and the sun finally came out.

He stood up after a while and stretched. “You should eat something. You barely touched dinner last night.”

“I wasn’t hungry then,” I said.

“You’re eating today,” he said with mock seriousness.

I smiled. “Yes, boss.”

He chuckled and went to the kitchen. I followed behind, leaning on the doorframe, watching him make coffee like he’d done it all his life.

“You’re actually doing it,” I teased.

He looked up. “Doing what?”

“Making breakfast.” I laughed.

“C'mon! It isn't new anymore! I'm trying to be the best husband to you and our unborn kids…” He said wrapping his hands around me.