Chapter 73 Anya
I heard when Nikolai was leaving . I heard his car drive away.
Good. I needed to be alone.
I looked at my hands. The bandages were finally off. But the scars were there.
Viktor had marked me. Inside and out.
And Dmitri was paying for it.
I hope the scars stay permanent.
Because I deserved it.
I betrayed my parents by falling in love with the very man who destroyed our lives.
Now, my own brother is suffering because of me.
I walked to Nikolai's desk, opened the drawer and found what I was looking for.
An untraceable phone. The kind Nikolai used for business.
I dialed a number I had memorized years ago, just incase.
And for the past years, I had called it, but it never went through.
It rang twice. Again.
I waited patiently, biting my nails.
"Yes?" A cold voice answered.
Alexei Ivanov.
The man Dmitri was with.
"This is Anya Koslov. I want to make a deal." I tried to keep my voice steady.
He laughed. "Anya. How delightful. Stealing Nikolai's phone is… too dangerous. Don't you think?"
"I want to see my brother." I said.
"That can be arranged. For a price."
"What price?" My heart dropped.
"You. In exchange for one visit with Dmitri. You come work for me. For one year."
My heart stopped. "What?"
"You heard me. One year of service in exchange for seeing your brother."
"That is insane." My voice broke.
"That is my offer. Take it or leave it."
I closed my eyes. One year. Twelve months. As Ivanov's slave.
But I would see Dmitri. My parents would finally be happy with me.
"What kind of work?" I asked.
"Whatever I need. Cleaning, cooking, entertainment for guests. Nothing you have not done before."
Entertainment. I knew what that meant. And it made my skin crawl.
"No. I will not do that."
"Then no visit. Simple as that."
"You are a monster."
"Nikolai said the same. You have twenty-four hours to decide. After that, the offer expires."
He hung up.
I stood there, shaking and crying.
One year for one visit. Was it worth it?
Yes. Yes it was. Because Dmitri deserved to know I had not given up on him.
But could I do it? Could I survive a year with Ivanov?
I did not know. But I had to try.
The door opened. Nikolai walked in.
"Anya? Who were you talking to?"
I quickly hung up the phone and hid it behind my back. "No one. Just myself."
He looked at me suspiciously. "Are you okay?"
"I am fine."
"You do not look fine."
"Well I am not fine! My brother is gone! Viktor is free! And you cannot do anything about it!"
The words came out harsher than I meant. But I could not stop them.
Nikolai flinched. "I am trying. I promise I am trying."
"Trying is not enough!" Tears streamed down my face. I has just chosen my brother over him again.
"Then what do you want me to do? Tell me! I will do anything!" He screamed. His voice cracked.
"I want my brother back! I want Viktor dead! I want this nightmare to end!"
"So do I! But it takes time!"
"We do not have time! Dmitri is suffering right now! And you are doing nothing!"
"I am doing everything I can!"
"It is not enough!" I screamed. "You are not enough!"
The words hung in the air.
Nikolai's face crumpled. "You do not mean that."
But I did. In that moment. I meant every word.
"Get out," I said quietly.
"Anya..." He looked at me with shock.
"I said get out! Leave me alone!"
He stood there. Looking hurt, broken. Then he turned and left. The door closed behind him.
And I collapsed on the floor, sobbing.
What was I doing? Why was I pushing him away?
Because I was drowning. And I needed someone to blame.
And Nikolai was the easiest target.
I pulled out the phone again and stared at it.
One year. For one visit.
Could I do it?
Did I have a choice?
I dialed Ivanov's number again.
He answered immediately. "That was fast. Have you decided?"
"Yes. I accept. One year for one visit."
"Excellent. I will send a car for you tomorrow. Pack light. You will not need much."
"When do I see Dmitri?"
"After you arrive and sign the contract. Then you get one hour with him."
"One hour?"
"That is the deal."
One hour. Sixty minutes. It’s better than nothing.
"Fine. I accept."
"Good. See you tomorrow, Anya. I think we are going to have a wonderful year together."
He hung up.
I sat there, staring at the phone, realizing what I had just done.
I had sold myself. Again.
For one hour with Dmitri.
Nikolai would try to stop me. So I could not tell him. He must not know.
I had to leave tonight before he found out.
I packed few clothes, toiletries and other things.
I wrote a note for Nikolai.
Nikolai, I am sorry for what I said. You are more than enough. You are everything. But I cannot sit here while my brother suffers. I cannot do nothing. So I made a choice. My choice. Not yours. I am going to Ivanov for one year. In exchange for seeing Dmitri. Do not try to stop me. Do not try to save me. This is what I want.
I love you.
But right now, I need to save my brother. Even if it costs me everything. Wait for me. I will come back. I promise.
\- Anya
I left the note on the bed, grabbed my bag and walked out.
The guards tried to stop me.
"Miss Koslov, where are you going?"
"I'm going out. I need some air."
"We should escort you."
"No. I need to be alone. Please."
They looked uncertain. But let me pass.
I walked through the gates. Far away from where I could be seen.
A black car was waiting. The door was opened. A man stepped out.
"Miss Koslov?"
"Yes."
"Get in. Mr. Ivanov is expecting you."
I took one last look at Nikolai's estate.
Then I got in the car.
The door closed. The car drove away. And I did not look back.
Because if I did, I would change my mind. I would run back to Nikolai. I would beg him to save him.
But I could not. Not this time.
This was my fight.