CHAPTER 55 — FAINA PETROV

He moved away from me. Okay, it will be more challenging than I imagined, winning his and Luther's forgiveness. They're both too proud to give in easily, especially after being betrayed by me, and I don't blame them for that.

— I confess that I was furious with you, flower. But you're here and that's what matters. — Zedekiah says, getting up and coming to me — He'll forgive you, he's just a little too proud to give in yet.

— Yeah, I got it. — I say, sighing.

I'm surprised by your bear hug.

— I missed you so much, flower. — he puts his face in my hair — Very much so.

— You forgive effortlessly. — Luther, it says from the same place — She married someone else, probably spent the night with him and even erased our names.

— Married? — Zedekiah walks away quickly, with a curious look. His eyes roam my hands, noticing the ring that's still on my finger and the lack of tattoos.

— I didn't really get married. — I give a deadly look to the brunette behind me. I stare at his eyes that never leave mine.

—See, Zed? She did not deny that she spent the night with someone else. She was quick to deny the marriage, but what about getting involved with him… And thereafter, will he forgive her so easily? — he says to his brother, still giving me a look.

— Did you really stay with him, Andrey? — Noah questions me, with a pained expression.

 I snort as I roll my eyes.

— It was just once, or twice… — I close my eyes when the two in front of me walk away and Luther laughs disdainfully, passing behind me and going upstairs — I slept and didn't have sex! I shared the same bed with him, but that was it. He never mattered in my life. This marriage was never true.

—And how can we be certain? If everything that came out of your mouth before were just lies.

— It was a tiring day, I'm exhausted. — Zed comments, moving away from me as he starts to climb the stairs.

— I'm going to sleep too. — Noah says, without looking at me, turning and leaving.

— Noah… — he doesn't answer, he just keeps distancing himself from me.

Shit, Luther!

I knew my return wouldn't be easy, but wow, I never thought it would be so challenging. A tear escapes.

— You should also rest. You're less than three months pregnant, and all this stress can be risky for your babies. — Lohan is the only person who remains by my side, placing one of her hands on my arm. — I'll take care of everything here, you can go ahead.

— it is unclear to me why they were so nervous, I never had sex with Andrey. I only let him kiss me once, we lived together and did everything a “happy” couple did, except have sex with each other. I would never do that to you, to me. Likewise, I was disgusted by him. You trust me, right? — I asked him with a thread of hope that at least one of them would stay on my side.

— I sincerely want to trust you, but after all the lies… you are the daughter of our enemy. A mafioso who managed to hide this from us masterfully. You seduced and manipulated us for two years… It won't be easy, darling. — he says, visibly hurt, but remains by my side.

— I understand and I am deeply sorry. If I could change something, I would. I would have told you as soon as I fell in love and realized that I could no longer live without you.

— It's late and we need to sleep and rest. — he interrupts me, with a tired look.

— Can I sleep with you? — I ask, approaching him — I would rather not sleep alone.

Don't abandon me too, please!

He approaches, closing the space between the two of us, and leaves a kiss in my hair, holding my shoulders.

— I confess that I am also hurt, Faina. Very. You seemed like a stranger to us, so far, we don't know what to expect from you! — he says, taking his hands off me and running them over his face — I don't like the idea of ​​imagining that idiot's hands on your body, kissing and touching you and, probably, having sex with you or not, him having seen you naked. It's not like one of my brothers touched and kissed you. It's painful for me and them.

— I'm sorry, I never wanted to hurt you. When he appeared, I was desperate and didn't know what to do. I was scared and everything my father taught me had been forgotten, which led me to make the wrong choice. I know all of this could have been avoided, but… — he interrupts me, placing a finger on my lips.

— Shss! Stay calm and take a deep breath. You're nervous, we all are, and it can affect babies. Tomorrow will be another day and we can start again. — he says, running his hands over my arms — I'll fix everything down here and I'll meet you in the room.

 He finishes with a soft kiss on my forehead. On the forehead! Like a brother or a father saying goodbye to a sister or daughter.

I close my eyes, take a deep breath and wave to him, who returns with a forced smile. They are not the ones that I love so much and that light up your grayish blue eyes.

Leaving him in the living room, I go upstairs, passing through the closed doors of the other rooms until I reach mine. When I open the door, I am enveloped by its perfume and an anguished feeling invades me, full of longing.

I will win back and rebuild your trust and love again, or I will not be called Faina Petrov, soon Faina Green. Mother and wife of three little ones or even more, if you wish…

I just hope it takes a little longer for my father and godfather to come after me.

Nothing has changed, everything remains the same as it always was, at least in relation to the house; however, the atmosphere between us is extremely tense.

I take off Heros' clothes to sleep, this pregnancy has made me very hot.

Not that my intention is to stir up and provoke them… I've just really been feeling very hot.

He approaches the bed when he sees me, sizing me up and down. His eyes settle on my belly, lingering on it.

— Your breasts are bigger and your hips are wider…

I'm not sure if he's addressing me or if he just spoke too loudly.

— You wouldn't mind if I slept like this, right? I have been feeling very hot because of the pregnancy. — it's not completely a lie, but I never slept naked with Andrey; in fact, he made a point of wearing as many clothes as he could.

His eyes roam my body again, and I notice the movement of the lump in his throat. Lohan's eyes finally meet mine.

— No. Feel free. — with a smile, I approach the bed. “I was getting ready to sleep on the floor,” he says, making my smile disappear. That's when I noticed his makeshift bed, with sheets and comforters, in the left corner of the room, close to the bed.

— The bed is big, Lohan, I think it fits both of us well. — I say, sitting on the other side. —Indeed, I am sure of it; We've slept together here before. But if you feel uncomfortable, I can wear something, no need…

— No! No problem, it's not the first time I've seen you naked and it won't be the last. I just want you to be comfortable, you must be exhausted. — He goes to the switch near the door and turns off the light, leaving the room lit only by the lights from the lamps next to the bed. When he returns, he lies down on the floor, facing away from me. — Good evening, Faina.

Faina, and not “beautiful”, as he prefers to call me.

It will be extremely difficult to earn their forgiveness.

Tired, I lie down too, throwing myself under the covers that contain your scent, sweet and soft.

— Good evening, Loh. I love you! — I answer him before falling into a deep sleep.