Chapter 31

The day is just beginning to break as we park the car, and as she gets out, I feel her hands grow cold.

"Don’t worry, everything will be fine! Pavel can’t hurt you anymore. Samuel will protect you now." She smiles and then takes a deep breath.

Together, we enter the mansion, and Anna’s eyes once again fill with tears.

"It’s been so many years since I was here. This is so nostalgic!"

"Now it’s your home again!"

Samuel strides in forcefully, and Maria promptly comes to meet us. Her face turns pale, almost transparent with surprise at seeing Anna.

"Is everyone already in the Burgundy Hall?" Samuel asks.

"Y... Yes... Mr. Colt," Maria stammers as we pass her, entering the meeting room.

The conversation halts as soon as they hear Samuel’s distinct footsteps. John freezes when he sees his mother by my side. Anna begins to cry uncontrollably, and I gently hold her arms. I sense she won’t be able to stay here, but even so, I lean close to her and speak calmly.

"Anna, you are a Colt. Show that bastard Pavel that he doesn’t control anything anymore."

She wipes her tears and walks to the center of the room, placing her hands elegantly on the cold wooden table.

"I am Anna Colt, and I have returned to my home. I demand the arrest of Pavel Colt for keeping me under torture for years."

Everyone starts murmuring, their voices growing louder. Samuel clears his throat, drawing the members’ attention, and the room falls silent. He scans the crowd for Pavel among the many faces, but he’s not there.

"Arrest Pavel Colt immediately! Does anyone object to my decision?" Everyone remains silent as the security team goes after Pavel.

"I am informing you all that, starting today, Pavel Colt will be imprisoned indefinitely, and all his allies will be eliminated. I will tolerate no more betrayal within the Bratva," Samuel declares firmly.

In unison, everyone shouts, "Yes, sir!"

"Meeting adjourned!" the arrogant man concludes.

"Wait, wait, everyone," Luara says, stepping into the center of the room with her hands on her hips. "Excuse me, with everything that’s been going on, my husband forgot to mention... but I’m pregnant."

Everyone smiles with joy at the news that the next leader is on the way and congratulates the couple on the baby.

***

POV Tatyana

Samuel growls in anger at his wife’s announcement but quickly leaves to join the security team searching for Pavel. The members begin to leave, and John remains in place, frozen. I approach him and hug him, his voice weak against my ear.

"I can’t believe it. Is that my mother?"

"Yes, why don’t you talk to her?"

"I wouldn’t know what to say!"

John’s eyes fill with tears, but he cautiously approaches Anna. The two embrace lovingly, letting their tears speak for them, expressing what they feel at that moment. John gently caresses her face, showing his longing and love.

"Mom, I missed you so much! Everything became so dark without you."

"I know, son. For me too, nothing made sense anymore, but I held on to the hope that one day your father would die and all this would end."

"I love you, Mom. For so long, I believed it was Samuel’s fault that you were never with us again."

"Oh, son, you could never be to blame. Your father did this. He created this lie to manipulate you."

"And he succeeded. For many years, he succeeded, unfortunately. But now this manipulation is over! Finally, we will be free of my father."

Adam approaches me, and I tilt my face to look at him.

"Can we talk for a bit, Taty?"

"Of course, let’s go!"

Adam takes my hand and leads me to the garden. I love this part of the house. The space is filled with trees, birds singing, and the smell of nature calms me. Adam moves closer to me and holds my face in his hands.

"Are you okay? I missed you. I was worried and waiting for you to get better so I could see you. I was afraid something might happen to you. How are you?"

"I’m fine, nothing worse happened."

"I swear, if Pavel had done something to you, I would stop being an ally of the Colts."

"I’m back, that’s all that matters."

"That’s a relief!"

Adam leans in, and I realize he’s about to kiss me. His lips touch mine gently, and his hands slide down to my waist, stopping at the side of my hips. The kiss is tender and passionate. When his lips part from mine, he runs his hand through my hair.

"I’m pregnant," I confess shyly, leaving Adam stunned.

"Wow, that was fast. Are you really pregnant?"

"Yes! I’m a month and a half along."

"As soon as the baby is born, you’ll be free of them, especially now that Pavel is going to be arrested."

I hug him tightly, feeling terrified. I want to say I no longer want this arrangement, but the words won’t come out. Heavy footsteps approach us, and Samuel stops beside us. I step away from Adam as Samuel scrutinizes us with a stern expression.

"Adam, Pavel escaped. We couldn’t locate him. I need you to send all the men under your command in the east to search for him."

"Of course, I’ll give them the orders right away. Excuse me."

Adam leaves, and the arrogant man remains in front of me, staring at me intently and incisively.

"I really need to talk to you!" He meets my gaze and pulls me close to his large, strong body.

I instinctively pull away. I’m hurt and need time to process my feelings.

"Not today. Stay with your mother. I need to rest."

Samuel grips my arm tightly but quickly lets go, realizing he might be hurting me. He leans closer and slowly kisses my cheek, brushing his nose against my skin. He inhales deeply, then moves to my neck. He pulls my shirt aside, exposing the purple marks on my pale skin.

"Was it Pavel who did this?" His eyes burn with fury.

"Yes…"

"I swear he will pay for everything he did to you."

I remove his hand from my shirt and abruptly walk away, leaving him behind as I head to my room. As I step inside, I’m startled to see Iurih sitting on my bed.

"What are you doing here, Iurih?"

"Answer me two questions."

I study him closely and cross my arms, shutting the door.

"First question?"

"If you’re engaged to Adam, why are you kissing Samuel?"

"Are you spying on me, Iurih Colt?"

"Maybe. Tell me, I’m not neurotic, I promise!"

"And why should I trust you? Why are you here?"

Iurih stands, taking slow steps until he’s in front of me.

"I’m here because I fell in love with a woman during my travels, and I need to end this ridiculous rule that says we can only marry a Colt. I want to be free, Tatyana. I want the freedom to at least choose who I marry. It’s bad enough being stuck with this family until I die. I need to gain something good in life. Help me, and I’ll help you with whatever you need. Answer my question: if you’re engaged to Adam, why are you kissing Samuel?"

"Because I’m in love with him."

"In love? With Samuel Colt? Is that even possible?"

I give a small, embarrassed smile.

"We have a complicated relationship."

"What does that mean? Do you sleep together? Enjoy the moment?"

"Yes, Iurih!"

"Damn, this is more serious than I thought. I know he and my sister don’t have a good relationship. Samuel used to occasionally be with some of the girls at Adam’s club, but he’s very reserved. They all complained about how cold and rough he was, saying he was always curt and mechanical."

"I’m pregnant, and if you help me, I can talk to Samuel about what’s needed to change the code."

"I know you’re pregnant with Adam’s child—or at least that’s what I’ve heard. Is that true? Or is this baby a Colt?"

I stay silent as he analyzes my expression.

"My girlfriend’s name is Camila Koslov. I’ll introduce you to her, and I’ll help you. What do you need?"

"I need to escape. I need a safe place to have my baby without anyone taking it away from me," I confess, heartbroken.

"And why would anyone take your baby? Unless that someone is Luara? Traditionally, a Colt marries at 18 and must have a child. There have been exceptions in recent years, of course, but they’ve been married for a few years, which leads me to believe she can’t have children. Is that why you’re here, Tatyana?"

Iurih has already figured out my role here.

"Yes, I’m a surrogate, and I’m pregnant with Samuel’s child. I can’t leave my baby with your crazy sister. I know she’s your sister, but she’s unwell, and you know it!"