Chapter 120
Chloe's POV
After the ball ended, I stood at the manor's entrance, watching Walter climb into his carriage. The night wind tugged at my skirt, cold creeping up my spine.
Tyler approached, satisfaction written across his face. "You did well tonight." He patted my shoulder. "Walter is quite pleased with you. This match shows real promise."
I forced a smile, though my heart felt carved out with a knife. If he knew about the mark hidden on my neck, knew everything that had happened between Ivan and me, would he still say that?
"Yes, Father," I said quietly, my gaze following the carriage lights fading into the distance.
Tyler seemed oblivious to my distraction, turning back toward the hall to see off the other guests.
I stood there alone, my mind replaying everything that had just happened.
One day of the three-day deadline had already passed. Time was slipping away, and I still had nothing.
Early the next morning, I changed into simple training clothes and slipped away from the manor. Grace covered for me, telling the butler I was unwell and needed rest.
I followed the familiar path to the detention area's fight gym. Pushing open the door, I found Frank behind the bar counter, wiping down glasses. He glanced up and gave me a slight nod.
"He's in the back."
Frank's words were brief, his gaze settling on the faint mark on my neck. His brow furrowed slightly, but he said nothing.
I hurried through the training area to the recovery room in the back. Ivan lay on a mat, sweat beading his forehead. His leg was wrapped in bandages, black magic marks spreading like a spiderweb down to his calf—worse than yesterday.
"You came." Ivan lifted his head, managing a weak smile. His face was pale, but his eyes remained resolute.
I knelt beside him, carefully examining his injuries. "You shouldn't be pushing yourself so hard," I said, my voice trembling. "You need rest."
"I can't rest." Ivan gripped my hand. "If I just lie here waiting to die, that's true despair. I have to keep moving, have to make myself stronger so I can protect you."
I bit my lip, tears welling in my eyes. "But your leg—"
"Will get better," Ivan interrupted. "I believe in you. I believe in us."
Over the next several hours, I helped Ivan with his rehabilitation training. Every movement made him grit his teeth in pain, but he never asked to stop. I watched him struggle to stand, watched him fall and rise again, my heart crumbling with each attempt.
When night fell, Frank pushed open the door, carrying ointment and bandages. He looked at us both and sighed.
"I'm going out to pick up some things," he said, his tone deliberately understanding. "If you two have anything to say, say it now."
After the door closed, we were alone. Ivan sat on the mat, back against the wall, eyes watching me with deep affection. Moonlight poured through the window, casting soft shadows across his face.
I moved beside him and sat down gently. He reached out, pulling me into his arms by the waist.
"Chloe," he said softly, his voice rough and tender. "If someday I really can't stand anymore—"
"You will," I interrupted, pressing my fingers to his lips. "I won't let that happen."
Ivan took my hand and kissed my fingertips. "I know you're taking risks for me," he said. "I know your father gave you a choice, and I know how torn you are. But Chloe, I don't want to be your burden."
"You're not a burden." I turned, straddling his lap, cupping his face in my hands. "You're everything to me. Without you, what meaning would my life have?"
Ivan's eyes grew moist. He pulled me tight against him, as if trying to merge me into his very body.
"I love you," he whispered in my ear. "No matter what happens, I love you."
"I love you too." I closed my eyes, feeling his warmth, his heartbeat, his familiar scent.
What happened next felt so natural, so inevitable. Our lips met, breath mingling. His hands slid down my spine, my fingers threading through his hair. Moonlight witnessed our intimacy, witnessed the fusion of our souls.
This joining was different from the last. Less frantic desperation, more tenderness and cherishing. We both knew this might be our final time together, so every kiss, every touch became infinitely precious.
When it was over, we lay entwined. Ivan's fingers gently stroked my hair as I buried my face in the curve of his neck, listening to his heartbeat.
"Tomorrow is the last day," I said quietly, exhaustion seeping through my voice. "I have to make a choice."
Ivan's body stiffened slightly, but he said nothing, only held me tighter.
We lay there in silence, neither willing to break this fragile moment of peace. Outside, the moon slowly sank westward, the night deepening, while my mind grew clearer and clearer.
I don't know how much time passed before Ivan's breathing became steady and even. I lifted my head, gazing at his sleeping face. Moonlight fell across his profile, making him look so peaceful, so vulnerable.
I kissed his forehead gently, then carefully extracted myself from his embrace. He frowned in his sleep but didn't wake.
I stood and quietly dressed. My movements had to be silent—I couldn't wake him. I knew if he woke, he'd try to stop me.
But I'd already made my decision.
I wouldn't tame Lightning. I wouldn't betray my friend.
I wouldn't marry Walter. I wouldn't abandon Ivan.
That left only one path—I would take that medicine myself.
If Father wouldn't give it to me, I'd steal it. If the medicine didn't exist, I'd find another way. No matter what, I would save Ivan, and then we'd leave this damned place together.
I took one last look at Ivan sleeping, then turned toward the door. My hand on the doorknob, I paused, silently promising:
Wait for me, Ivan. Once I get the medicine, we'll leave together—go somewhere no one can find us.
Then I pushed open the door and disappeared into the night.