Chapter 83 Anya
I left Ivanov's study feeling sick.
I had two weeks to find evidence before I became his wife permanently.
Two weeks to save Nikolai. To save myself. And destroy Ivanov.
It was not enough time. But it was all I had.
I went back to my room, locked the door and sat on the bed.
My conversation with Nikolai kept replaying in my mind.
He looked so broken and defeated. Like he had given up completely.
And I had made it worse. By telling him I was trying to seduce Ivanov. By admitting I had slept with him.
The look in Nikolai's eyes. The pain. The betrayal had cut me deeper than any knife.
But I could not stop now. I could not give up.
I had to find proof. To expose Ivanov and save Nikolai.
Even if Nikolai hated me for it. Even if he never forgave me.
At least he would be free.
I stood up, looked around the room, trying to think.
Where would Ivanov keep evidence? Where would he hide proof of his crimes?
His study. That was the obvious place. But it was always locked and guarded.
Unless I could find a way to get inside when he was not there.
I needed to gain more of his trust. I had to make him believe I was completely devoted to him. I had to make him let his guard down.
It made me sick. But it was the only way.
A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts.
"Miss Koslov? Mr. Ivanov has requested your presence for dinner."
I let out a sigh. "I will be right there."
I changed into an evening dress. Did my makeup. And put on a smile.
Then I went downstairs to the dining room.
Ivanov was already seated. He smiled when he saw me.
"Anya. You look beautiful."
"Thank you." I smiled back.
I sat down across from him. A servant brought out the first course.
"I have been thinking about our wedding," Ivanov said. "I want it to be grand. All the important families will attend."
"That sounds lovely."
"And I want you to wear white. A symbol of your new beginning. Your new life with me."
I forced myself to smile. "Of course."
"You seem happy about this."
"I am. Very happy."
He reached across the table and took my hand. "I am glad you have finally accepted your place here with me."
"I have realized something," I said. Choosing my words carefully. "You have given me everything. Safety. Comfort. A future. And I was ungrateful. But not anymore."
"What changed?"
"I stopped living in the past. I stopped mourning what I lost. And started appreciating what I have."
It was all lies. But he believed it. I could see it in his eyes.
"That is good to hear. Because I have plans for us. Big plans."
"What kind of plans?"
"I am going to expand my empire. Take over more territories. More businesses. And you will be by my side. As my wife. My partner."
"I would like that."
"Good. Because I need someone I can trust. Someone loyal. Can I trust you, Anya?"
I looked him in the eyes. "Yes. You can trust me completely."
He smiled. "Excellent. Then there is something I want to show you. After dinner."
"What is it?"
"You will see."
We finished dinner. Then Ivanov led me to his study.
He unlocked the door and let me inside.
"I do not usually bring anyone in here," he said. "But you are going to be my wife. So you should know everything."
He walked to a painting on the wall, pushed it aside. It revealed a safe.
He entered the combination. And opened it.
Inside were files. Documents amd photographs.
"This is my insurance policy," he said. "Evidence of every crime. Every deal. Every secret. If anyone ever tries to betray me, I have this to destroy them."
My heart raced. This was it. This was what I needed.
"Why are you showing me this?" I asked.
"Because I want you to understand how powerful I am. And because I want you to know that I have no secrets from you."
He pulled out a file and opened it.
Inside were photographs. Of Dmitri. Beaten. Broken. Dead.
"Your brother," Ivanov said. "I did kill him. Just like that servant Maria testified. But no one believed her. And now she is dead too."
I felt like I had been punched in the stomach. "Why are you telling me this?"
"Because I want you to know the truth. I killed Dmitri. I framed Nikolai. And I got away with it. Because I am smarter than everyone else."
He looked at me, waiting for my reaction.
I forced myself to stay calm. To not scream.
"I understand," I said quietly.
"You do?"
"Yes. You did what you had to do."
"Exactly. I am glad you see it that way."
He put the file back and closed the safe. "I am showing you this because I want you to understand. In this world, there are winners and losers. And I am a winner. I always will be." His voice was cold and deadly. He had me concerned already. Even though he just revealed that he killed Dmitri, he knew I couldn't do anything. I couldn't leave.
He showed me that he could kill me just like he killed Dmitri and Maria. And nothing would be done.
"I know."
"Good. Now. Let us go to bed. I want to celebrate our upcoming marriage properly."
He grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the door.
But my mind was racing. I had seen the safe and the combination. I had seen it. Memorized it.
3-7-9-2-1-5.
That was the proof I needed. The evidence to destroy Ivanov.
Now I just needed to figure out how to get it.
Without getting caught.
Without getting killed.
We went to his bedroom. And once again, I had to endure his touch. His kisses. His body on mine.
But this time, I knew it would not be for much longer.
Because I had the combination. I had access.
And soon, I would have the proof.
I just needed to wait for the right moment. Then I would strike.
And I would bring him down.
No matter what it cost me.
Later that night, after Ivanov fell asleep, I slipped out of bed.
I put on a robe and tiptoed to the door.
I opened it slowly and carefully.
The hallway was empty. There were no guards in sight.
This was my chance.
I walked quietly to Ivanov's study.
The door was locked.
But I knew where he kept the key. In his bedroom on his nightstand.
I went back, held my breath and reached for the key.
Ivanov stirred in his sleep. I froze.
He rolled over, mumbled something. Then went still.
I grabbed the key and slipped back out.
I went to the study and unlocked the door.
Inside, I went straight to the safe and entered the combination.
3-7-9-2-1-5.
It clicked open.
I pulled out the files. The photographs. Everything.
Evidence of Dmitri's murder. Of Maria's murder. Of all of Ivanov's crimes.
I needed to get this out to someone who could use it.
But how? I was being watched constantly. I could not just walk out with files.
I needed to hide them somewhere safe. Somewhere Ivanov would never look.
Then I had an idea.
Nikolai.
I could give the files to Nikolai. He could hide them in the servants' quarters where no one would think to look.
But would he help me? After everything I had done? After our fight earlier?
I did not know. But I had to try.
I closed the safe, locked the study and returned the key.
Then I went back to Ivanov's bed and pretended to sleep.
Tomorrow, I would find Nikolai. I would give him the files.
And together, we would bring down Ivanov.