Chapter 25

POV Tatyana

The sun rises, and my body feels less tired and sore. Anna holds my hand as soon as she sees my eyes open and helps me sit up. After freshening up, I find her sitting on the bed, waiting for me.

"Come on, let’s have breakfast." I follow her to a small kitchen.

The place is simple, with peeling walls and worn furniture. Two armed men are seated, but when they see us, they get up, giving us space to use the table. Anna seems to be searching for answers as she studies me intently. I imagine she wants to know more about her sons and my pregnancy. She pours coffee into my cup, and I watch as it slowly blends with the milk. My thoughts begin to drift, and an image of Samuel holding me in his arms flashes in my memory. Anna pulls me out of my private world with her calm, sweet voice.

"Do you feel anything for Samuel? Did you conceive this child naturally?" I sip the coffee before confessing my feelings.

"Internally, I’m constantly trying to fool myself, pretending I feel nothing. But it’s futile. Samuel is utterly arrogant, yet I can see beyond his darkness. When I arrived at the Colts’ mansion, I didn’t want him to touch me. Of course, he ignored that and dared to grab my wrists tightly. In that moment, I saw his soul. Samuel looked at me with so much anger, but it made his vulnerabilities crystal clear. I feel like I want to be with him, but I don’t know if he’s ready or if he ever will be. His family carries something dark, and whether I like it or not, he’s married. I just want to start over when all of this is over." Anna gets emotional at my words, likely because she misses her son.

"Hearing that you can see beyond his cruelty only makes me more certain that he needs you." I place my hand on Anna’s and squeeze it gently.

"He needs you even more. When you return, I’m sure a part of Samuel will find the light." She smiles, and we finish our breakfast in silence.

Afterward, Anna invites me for a walk around the property. We stroll through the small house’s garden, with Anna by my side. The property is simple but beautiful, with an incredible view of the sea. The morning breeze and the soft rays of sunlight on my face are enough to calm me.

"Are you really going to give up this child? My family will train him to be a cold, cruel man. Aren’t you afraid of that?"

"I’m afraid every day. I have a strong demeanor, but it’s different with a child. I only agreed to all of this because of my father."

"Why because of your father?"

"Samuel said he’d kill him if I didn’t accept his proposal."

"I’m so sorry."

"Sometimes I wish I weren’t pregnant, so I wouldn’t have to lose my child." Anna looks at me with deep sadness. "How did you not go insane after being trapped here for so many years?"

"Severo... he’s a good man! He sneaks me into the city and lets me walk through the local villages. It renews my strength and keeps me from going mad." I notice her cheeks flush when she speaks about Severo. Perhaps they feel something for each other, which is why he cares for her.

"I’m so sorry, Anna. We’ll think of a way to get out of here. That monster told his children you were dead and kept you here for years. It’s madness, insane!" Anna stops walking and holds my hand affectionately.

"If you ever see them again, I don’t want you to tell them I’m alive."

"Why not?"

"They’d hate me for being away from them for so long."

I squeeze her hand tightly.

"It would be impossible to hate someone whose life was stolen from them. You’re not to blame—never."

"I miss them so much. There are so many things I wanted to teach my children." My stomach twists as I realize my situation might turn out the same way.

My thoughts are interrupted when Severo approaches us. He stops in front of me and grabs my arm.

"Come with me."

"Is everything okay?" Anna asks.

"I need to speak with her."

I follow Severo as he pulls me along. We enter a room, and he shuts the door. He turns his back to me, but I can sense his heavy, frustrated breathing. It’s clear he’s about to say something I won’t like.

"What’s going on, Severo?"

"Pavel has ordered me to kill you!"

"What? Why?" My shock renders me speechless.

"Samuel called a meeting today and ordered the Bratva to search for you! Time is running out, Tatyana—they will find you. Pavel doesn’t want you returned to him."

"Especially now that I know about Anna."

"Exactly! I didn’t want to kill you, especially now that Dr. Zima confirmed your pregnancy. You’re really pregnant!"

My head pounds as my heart races. I’m torn, frantically searching for a way to save myself. Severo pulls a gun from his waistband and loads the clip.

"Wait…" I cry out, distressed, feeling my nerves pulse beneath my skin. "You said Samuel will kill you if he finds out about your betrayal, right?"

"Yes, if he finds out, Pavel will likely be imprisoned and await judgment from the Brotherhood, while the traitorous allies will be slaughtered without mercy."

"I could help you!" I quickly use my wit to try to turn the situation around.

"How?" Severo narrows his eyes at me, uncertain.

"I’ll return and won’t say anything about your involvement—it’ll be as if you found me! I’ll find a way for Samuel to discover the truth about his mother without implicating you." He looks thoughtful. "You’ll live! Anna can confirm it, saying you were never involved in any of this. I know you care for her. If you kill me, he’ll find out eventually—you know that! Don’t be an idiot!"

"You’re quite bold, girl!"