Chapter 37

POV Tatyana

I return to Iurih's apartment and collapse onto the couch, crying. Camila approaches me and gently hugs me.

"Thank you for helping me! It was wonderful to hear his voice again; I’m just emotional."

"Stay strong. You’ll see each other again soon! Remember, this is temporary. I have to go to work, but I’ll be back tonight—I’ll be a bit late today." Camila works at the mall and starts in the afternoon, only returning at night.

"It’s fine, go without worrying." Camila comforts me again and then says goodbye.

"See you later."

I stretch out on the couch and let my thoughts drift to the past. My moment of reflection is interrupted by a knock at the door, and I quickly get up to open it. I’m startled to see John standing right in front of me and freeze.

"John?"

"Tatyana? What are you doing here at Iurih’s house?" John hugs me tightly, and I cry into his chest.

"We were worried about you! It’s been so long; you shouldn’t have disappeared like that without a trace," he says, clearly distressed.

"I’m sorry, I had to. I’m not leaving my baby with Luara. How did you find me?"

"Samuel traced your call, but since he was far away, he asked me to check it out. When I didn’t find anything there, I decided to stop by Iurih’s place." John steps back and looks at me, shocked by the changes in my body.

"Wow, your belly has grown a lot!" He places his hand gently on my belly and then smiles.

"Samuel is losing it—he has no life anymore, doesn’t sleep, and is completely apathetic. I understand why you don’t want to go back, but at least let him know how you are. I can’t believe Iurih lied to him so blatantly all this time. Samuel will kill him when he finds out, though things are different now."

I grab John’s hand, pull him inside, and close the door.

"I need you to promise me you won’t tell Samuel anything. Iurih is protecting me, and no one imagines I’m at his house. Please, promise me—it’s only temporary! Luara is crazy, narcissistic, and I won’t give my baby to her." John looks saddened by my request but understands and nods.

"All right, I won’t tell him anything. But once this is resolved, you promise to come back to the mansion?"

"Yes, I promise! Are you asking me to return for Samuel?"

"No, I want you to come back for me! I’m not marrying Ágata anymore, and I want to be with you!"

"With me?"

"What I feel for you is different from anything I’ve ever felt for anyone else," John admits shyly. "When you arrived, you brought with you a world of possibilities. I felt like a soldier, living only to follow orders. Not that I don’t like my life, but you make everything lighter. I know you feel something for Samuel, but I can love you, I can take care of you and the baby. Just because it’s Samuel’s child doesn’t mean you have to be with him. You made an agreement and got pregnant. I want to have you in my life."

John moves closer to me, gently stroking my face. He runs his thumb over my lips and looks at me intently. I haven’t let desire consume me since the day I fled the mansion. A wave of excitement overtakes my body as his warm breath tickles my cheek, and he slowly leans in to kiss me.

When I entered the dark world of the Colt family, I found comfort in John for my doubts and sorrows. However, what I feel for him is different from what I feel for Samuel. John is understanding and a better listener, but he doesn’t make my senses go haywire. What I feel for him is affectionate, far from evolving into a relationship.

I pull away from him, and he looks instantly saddened, but I can’t deceive him. I’ve come a long way to get here, and Samuel has revealed he’s in love with me, just as I am with him. Earlier today, during our call, love was the feeling that connected us, filling our hearts with emotion.

"I love Samuel. It’s not just about the agreement. I’ve nurtured and developed an intense, deep feeling—something I can’t explain. I know he has a difficult personality, a tough, arrogant demeanor, but everything we’ve been through has been too significant. So intense that it makes me want him in my life. I know he loves me; he told me so."

"He told you?" John asks, surprised.

"Yes, John, even though you see more of his dark and harsh side, I see beyond that."

John is stunned but quickly recovers, understanding my feelings. He walks to the door and pulls me into a gentle hug, tenderly kissing my forehead.

"I’ll come back to see you. I won’t tell Samuel anything. Stay here, don’t go out, understood?"

"Yes, I promise!"

"Soon, everything will be resolved."

I open the door, and we step into the hallway. John smiles as he descends the stairs, waving as he leaves.

I breathe a sigh of relief, grateful he understands and supports my choice. I return to the apartment and decide to take a relaxing bath. Today has been tumultuous, and my head feels like it’s about to explode.

***

When night falls, I put on my pajamas and get ready to rest. Iurih and Camila had informed me that they’d be busy tonight; after work, they’d be enjoying a romantic dinner together. The doorbell rings again, and I head to the living room.

"Could it be John already missing me? Maybe he came to bring me something," I think.

I unlock the door, and suddenly someone forcefully pushes it, hitting my head. A wave of dizziness overwhelms me, and I fall to the ground in shock. Raising my head, I’m horrified to see Pavel.

"How have you been, you damned little rabbit? It’s time we had a long talk." He steps closer and drags my body roughly, tying a rope around my wrists. "You’re going to stay locked in a cage, just like a rabbit should."

I struggle in terror, and Pavel, irritated, slaps me hard across the face.

"Stay quiet, damn it!" My breathing becomes labored, my heartbeat races, and fear grips me.

"You bastard... demon!" I scream, and his rough hand covers my mouth.

"Let’s go, move!"

Dr. Zima appears at the door and comes to assist Pavel. My eyes widen as I see him inject something into my arm. A deep groan is all I can manage. He administers a substance that causes a burning sensation to spread through my veins. The doctor helps Pavel drag me down the stairs. With my body weakened and unable to fight, Pavel uncovers my mouth, and I gasp for air.

"So you help him with everything, Dr. Zima?"

"He’s my boss, and I owe him favors. Whatever he needs, I do!"

"I hope that when Samuel finds me, he kills you."

Zima looks momentarily regretful but continues helping Pavel shove me into the car. I begin to lose focus as my body succumbs, leading me into a deep sleep. Everything goes dark and silent.