Chapter 88 Nikolai
I sat in that stolen car for hours after leaving the newspaper office.
The files were useless. Worse than useless. They made me look guilty.
Ivanov had played me perfectly. He knew I would try to escape. He knew I would take the files. He knew everything.
But there was one thing he did not know.
I was not done yet.
I started the car and drove back toward the estate. Every part of me screamed to run, to get as far away as possible, to save myself.
But I could not leave Anya behind.
Not again.
She was trapped with that monster. And it was partly my fault. I should have seen through his trap. I should have known the files were fake.
But I did not. And now she was going to marry him.
Unless I stopped it.
I reached the estate just as the sun was setting. The wedding would start soon. Maybe it has already started.
I parked the car far from the gate and walked through the woods. There was a gap in the fence on the east side. I noticed it weeks ago when I was working in the gardens.
I squeezed through and made it onto the grounds.
Guards were everywhere. But they were focused on the guests arriving, not on someone trying to get in.
I found a servant's entrance and slipped inside. The mansion was busy. Everyone was preparing for the ceremony.
I grabbed a spare uniform from the laundry room and changed quickly.
My hands were shaking as I wrapped them in fresh rags.
Then I made my way toward the chapel.
I was too late.
Through the windows I could see them standing at the altar. Anya wore a white dress. Ivanov was wearing his perfect suit.
The priest was speaking. The guests were watching.
I pressed my face against the glass and watched as the priest asked Anya if she would take Ivanov as her husband.
She hesitated. For a moment I thought she would say no. I thought she would run.
But then I saw Ivanov squeeze her hand. I saw the look he gave her.
And she whispered, "I do."
My heart shattered into a million pieces.
The priest asked Ivanov the same question. He said yes loudly, like he had already won.
Because he had.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife." The priest said, smiling.
Ivanov kissed her. The guests applauded. And I stood there watching, unable to move, unable to breathe.
It was over. She was his wife now.
My eyes darkened. I held back the tears that threatened to drop.
I had lost Anya forever.
I should have left. I should have run while I still could.
But I could not. My feet would not move.
Then, I felt a hand grabbed my shoulder. I spun around.
A guard was standing there. "What are you doing out here? You are supposed to be inside helping with the reception."
"I was just getting… some air." I whispered.
Seems he wasn't aware of my escape.
No wonder Ivanov didn't send his guards after me. He knew I would come back.
"Well get back inside. Now. They need servers." The guard hissed.
He pushed me toward the reception hall.
I had no choice but to go.
The hall was already filled with guests. Music played. Tables were set with expensive food and wine.
And at the head table sat Ivanov and Anya. Husband and wife.
I stood with the other servants along the wall and tried to make myself invisible.
But Ivanov saw me.
He smiled. Then he waved to a guard and said something.
The guard walked over to me. "You. Markov. You are needed at the head table."
My stomach dropped. "What?"
"Mr. Ivanov requested you personally. Move."
I followed the guard across the hall.
Every step felt like walking through fire.
I stopped in front of their table. Anya looked up at me. Her eyes were red. She had been crying.
Ivanov smiled wider. "Markov. So glad you could join us. I wanted you here for this special occasion. My wedding day."
I said nothing. I just stared at him.
"I want you to serve my wife and me tonight. Make sure our glasses are always full. Our plates are always full. Everything must be perfect. Can you do that?"
I wanted to grab him by the throat. I wanted to make him suffer.
But there were guards everywhere. And Anya was sitting right there.
"Yes," I forced my mouth open.
"Good. Start with the wine."
I picked up a bottle with shaking hands and poured wine into his glass. Then into Anya's.
The bottle nearly slipped from my grip. My hands were trembling so badly.
"Thank you, Markov," Ivanov said cheerfully. "You may go. But stay close. I will need you again soon."
I walked back to the wall. My vision was blurring. My chest was tight.
This was the worst punishment. Watching the first woman I would ever love with another man. A man below me.
Hours crawled by. Guests ate and danced and celebrated. Ivanov kept his arm around Anya the entire time, showing her off.
And I stood there,watching, suffering silently.
At one point Ivanov called me over again. "More wine, Markov."
I poured. My hands shook.
"You know," Ivanov said loudly enough for nearby guests to hear, "this man used to be engaged to my wife. Can you believe that? But he threw it all away. He chose violence over love. And now look at him. A servant. While I have everything he wanted."
The guests laughed. Some of them looked at me with pity. Others with disgust.
Ivanov was enjoying this. Every second of my humiliation.
"You can go now," he said dismissively.
I walked away before I did something stupid. Before I grabbed a knife and buried it in his chest.
But then what? I would be killed immediately. And Anya would still be his wife.
No. I needed a better plan.
I watched them throughout the night, studying Ivanov, looking for opportunities.
He drank a lot. Glass after glass of wine. But he never seemed drunk. He was too controlled for that.
Anya barely touched her food. She sat there like a statue.
Near the end of the night Ivanov stood and announced, "Thank you all for coming. My wife and I will now retire for the evening."
He pulled Anya to her feet. She looked at me one last time. Her eyes were screaming for help.
But I could not help her. Not yet.
They left the hall. The guests continued celebrating.
I slipped away and followed them at a distance.
They went upstairs to Ivanov's private chambers. The door closed behind them.
Guards stood outside. There was no way I could get in.
I stood in the hallway with my fists clenched by my side. My whole body was shaking with rage.
This could not be how it ended. This could not be her fate.
I went back downstairs to the gardens. I needed to think. I needed a plan.
The night air was cold. I walked until I reached the edge of the property where the woods began.
I sat down on the ground and put my head in my hands.
There was only one way to end this. Only one way to set Anya free.
I had to kill Ivanov.
It was the only way.
Murder was what they already believed I did. Maybe it was time I actually did it.
I would kill Ivanov. And then Anya would be free. She would inherit everything as his widow. And I would either escape or die trying.
But at least she would be free.
I stood up. My decision was made.
I would Alexei Ivanov's life. I would make him pay for everything he had done.
I just needed the right moment. The right opportunity.
And when it came, I would not hesitate.