Chapter 39
I want to grab my gun and shoot them both, but instead, I reach into my pocket and take out a cigarette. I light it and take a slow drag, analyzing the two standing in front of me. I speak with the cigarette resting in the corner of my mouth.
"I can’t kill you because it wouldn’t be worth dying for, but the next time you hide something from me, you’ll suffer! Maybe I should leave both of you without arms and legs. Technically, I wouldn’t be killing you, but it would be the same as death! A Colt who can’t hold a gun because he has no hands, and who can’t walk because he has no legs, might as well be dead. Send everyone to search every hole in this city and all the surrounding ones. I’ll join them shortly."
They silently agree and leave the room. Trying to control the rage building inside me, I head to Tatyana’s room. When I open the door, I’m overwhelmed by her scent, which is beginning to fade. The softly sweet fragrance dominates my mind, like a drug inducing me to feel both longing and love.
I approach her bed and lie down, burying my face in her pillow. As I inhale her scent, I realize my eyes are welling up, and I squeeze them shut, trying to suppress what I feel.
"I’ll do everything to find you, my love. Pavel has always been the only one who could challenge me, but that ends now. I won’t let my father destroy you or our child," I think.
Pavel, aside from screwing me over inside my own house, could also harm my business. I’m going to kill him, and I don’t care about the consequences. Now, I’m sure of it!
***
POV Tatyana
One month later
What is darkness like? It is lonely, grim, and seems to gradually corrupt your soul. I can’t say how long I’ve been like this, lost in my own shadowy world.
Finally, a light and a glimpse of an image appear before my eyes. I wake up in a comfortable bed in a room, alone. The place is relatively small, the walls are made of brushed metal, and the exit door has a digital lock. With difficulty, I try to get up, but I fail. My body is weak, drained of strength, and every muscle I try to move hurts tremendously. It feels as though my flesh is being torn, generating sharp, endless pain.
I place my hand on my belly and am startled to realize how much the babies have grown. Judging by their size, I must have been immersed in darkness for at least a month.
"Hi, little ones. I missed you! I dreamed about you this whole time."
The door soon opens, and Dr. Zima approaches me.
"Alright, you need to move a little to avoid muscle injuries from lying down for so long." He places his hand on my back, helping me sit up.
"How long was I asleep? How are my babies?" My feet ache as they touch the cold floor.
"You’ve been asleep for a month, but don’t worry. They’re fine. I monitor them every day. I’ve also been doing physiotherapy to prevent your muscles from atrophying while you sleep."
"Samuel will find me one day!"
"I find that very unlikely."
"Why?"
"Pavel has prohibited any contact from Maria and Luara to avoid tracking. This bunker never existed in any legal documents."
I’m devastated by his revelation, though deep down, I always knew Pavel would do anything to ruin his son and never let him find happiness.
"Doesn’t your family, Dr. Zima, suspect anything since you’re away?"
"I made up a story about being away for a month and a half on a work trip. That’s the price you pay when you owe someone favors. You know, Pavel raised his son to become an even worse leader than himself. He won’t stop until Samuel officially becomes what he planned. The man lived for the Mafia, gave up having feelings, and despite his issues with Samuel… they’re alike."
"They’re nothing alike!" I retort, irritated.
"Now, yes, because you came into his life. But before you, Samuel was just like his father—living to kill and to command."
"After my babies are born, does Pavel plan to kill me?"
"I don’t know, Tatyana! Knowing that man as I do, I believe he does plan to kill you."
My throat dries at his statement.
"Is there any chance you could help me escape? I need to get out of here!" I plead, desperate for my life and the chance to be with my children.
"No, I can’t do that. If I did, I’d be killed, and I value my life and my family’s lives." I close my eyes, feeling devastated.
"Come on, let’s take a walk, then you can eat a little and go back to sleep. Only 15 days remain until the babies are born, and your pregnancy will reach exactly nine months."
Never, not even in my worst nightmares, did I imagine my life would end this way. Life is anything but fair; people are disloyal, evil, and cruel—that is the truth. At least I can dream of better things while I sleep. I’ll dream of Samuel, of the moment when we’ll finally meet again and ease this longing that’s been tearing me apart.