Chapter 29

POV Samuel

Tatyana just told me that my mother has been alive all this time, causing a war within me, and at the same moment, she confessed that she’s in love with me.

A few days ago, I found out she’s pregnant, and my head feels like it’s about to explode. So many important revelations seem tangled up in my chest, shocking me into paralysis.

Whenever I’m conflicted by emotions, arrogance takes over. My heart tightened when I heard her words, as I don’t fully understand this thing called love or passion, but imagining leaving a child with Luara must be truly devastating.

Emphasizing that she’s only here for this was a stupid thing to say, and she walked out the door, taking my heart with her. I run my hand angrily over my face. My mind is in turmoil, and everything I’ve believed until now has crumbled. It feels as if my defenses are under attack, and I’m likely to lose this war.

I get up in anger and go to the sideboard. I pour a glass of whiskey and take a long sip, wanting to swallow the pain along with the bitter, burning taste of alcohol. In my mind, I think distilling my emotions into something strong might make me feel better. But instead, a deep rage consumes me, contradicting my foolish expectations. I hurl the glass at the wall with force.

I’m furious that Tatyana didn’t tell me about my mother the moment she set foot in this house.

I take a deep breath, and for the first time, I decide to do something I truly want. I grab a cigarette, light it, and let it calm my frayed nerves. Throwing on a robe, I leave the room.

I stop in the hallway, and for a moment, everything feels different. Knowing I’ve been deceived only fuels my desire to coldly put a bullet in Pavel’s head.

“I can’t even call that scum my father!” I think.

I head where my body wants to be—Tatyana’s room, to hold her in my arms. I walk into the room and glance around, but she’s not there. I go downstairs and see the front door open.

As I step outside, there she is—my storm, standing still and staring at the city. I approach her slowly and wrap my arms around her small waist. I bring my face to her neck and place a gentle kiss on her sweet skin.

I want to say I’m sorry, that sometimes I’m an idiot, but I’m not ready yet. The fact that she fell in love with me and grew vulnerable because of it stirs something inside me.

I run my hand over her belly, a feeling of unexpected joy flickering within me. I’m still shaken by all of this.

"Let’s go get my mother!"

"I’ll get dressed!" she says, slipping out of my arms without looking at me and hurrying inside.

I run my hand over my beard, feeling overwhelmed. I’m afraid and unsettled, noticing how distant she seems.

***

POV Tatyana

I stepped away from Samuel without looking at him. Unlike him, who shows nothing, I show everything. I can't hide the hurt consuming me inside after hearing his painful words. He denies feeling anything for me and always strikes me with disturbing words and actions. I enter the room and walk toward the wardrobe.

Anna will be happy to see me! Especially when she’s reunited with her sons. After so many years apart, getting her as quickly as possible is the best option. Pavel noticed that I didn’t say anything while I was recovering, but he might move her to another hiding place, and it would be nearly impossible to get Samuel to follow the plan without revealing Severo.

As I remove my robe, someone barges in, slamming the door. I see Pavel storming toward me. He grabs my neck and slams my body against the wall with aggression. His face is twisted with hatred, and his right hand presses into my skin so hard that I can barely breathe. I struggle in his arms as he watches me with satisfaction at my desperation.

"I don’t know what you promised Severo, but I guarantee that if my sons find out about Anna, I’ll kill you and anyone you’ve ever loved! Don’t think Samuel will ever love you; he would never love a whore like you. When Samuel was a child and got attached to something, I simply destroyed it. I’ll do the same to you if necessary, Tatyana!"

My body thrashes desperately, begging for air, as I strike his chest with all my strength. Before I lose consciousness, he lets me go. I collapse to the floor, weak, and he walks away without another word.

I clutch my neck, feeling as though his fingers are still digging into my skin. I cough uncontrollably as I recover, breathing deeply.

"That bastard’s days of freedom are numbered!" I think.

I brace my hands against the wall and slowly stand up to pick out some clothes. Running my fingers over my neck, I see in the mirror the marks left by that vile man’s choking. Pavel seems like darkness itself, capable of staining your soul and dragging it into the abyss of fear.

"Better wear something that covers this up. Samuel’s already furious, and if he sees these marks, he’ll kill his father," I think.

I choose a simple outfit with a high collar. I walk to the dresser and take my last antibiotic pill. I finish quickly, and when I go downstairs, Samuel is already waiting with two of his security guards.

He looks at me with his intense, captivating gaze. Still hurt, I avoid meeting his eyes and follow him to the garage. I sit in the backseat, one of the guards sits beside me, and he immediately begins checking his ammunition.

The journey is slow, and Samuel keeps watching me through the rearview mirror the entire time. I keep my gaze on the road, lost in thought. I bring my hand to my neck again, still feeling suffocated by that monster’s violent grip.

It’s already past midnight when we arrive at the location, and my heart races, hoping Severo isn’t here. We step out of the car, and I look at the small house on the island. The sky is starry tonight, the breeze relatively cold, and the house lights are on.

Samuel takes a gun from the glove compartment, loading it with bullets. His expression changes, becoming barbaric and dark. He grabs my arm and leans close to my ear, speaking softly:

"Stay behind me, got it?"

"Yes!"

The two guards kick down the door and storm inside. Samuel enters with his gun drawn, and one of Pavel’s henchmen freezes in panic at the sudden invasion.

"Mr. Colt…"

"Where is my mother?"

Another man quickly appears, and without hesitation, Samuel points his gun and shoots him. The traitor drops dead to the floor.

Anna emerges, startled by the noise.

"What’s going on here?"

Samuel freezes, instinctively lowering his gun at the sight of his mother.

Anna’s expression turns to shock as she realizes she’s standing before her son.

"Son?… Son? Is that you, Samuel?"

My heart tightens as Samuel’s face softens for the first time. Anna runs and throws herself into his arms, and he embraces her desperately. Anna sobs uncontrollably, and I can’t imagine the depth of her pain after spending so many years away from her children.