65

65
The sky was already dark when Sophie stepped out of the car.

She pulled her coat tighter around her shoulders, more from habit than the cold. Her breath puffed in soft clouds before her. Alexander remained behind the wheel, eyes fixed on the rearview mirror, a wire carefully taped just beneath her collar.

She turned before shutting the door.

“Just listen,” she said quietly. “Don’t rush in. Not unless—”

“Not unless I hear your voice crack,” Alexander said. “I remember the signal.”

She offered a small nod, then gently closed the door.

The warehouse in front of her was quieter than last time. No lights. No movement. Just that low hum in the air that told her someone was inside—waiting.

She knocked once.

The same silent guard opened the door.

He didn’t speak.

He didn’t need to.

She stepped inside.

The interior had changed. Less polished. More stripped down. Like Nikolai had started tearing everything apart just to see what was left when nothing was beautiful anymore.

He stood by a table near the back, sleeves rolled to his elbows, a glass of something amber in his hand.

He looked tired.

But not weak.

Never that.

“Sophie,” he said, his voice smoother than the whiskey he sipped. “Twice in one week. I must be dreaming.”

“You’re not,” she said.

He gestured to the empty chair across from him. “Sit?”

She didn’t move. “I won’t stay long.”

“Then we’d better make this count.”

She stared at him. “Did you know?”

He didn’t pretend to misunderstand.

“About your mother?”

“Yes.”

Nikolai swirled his drink.

“Yes.”

The word hit like a stone to the ribs.

“And you didn’t come forward?”

“I tried.”

“You didn’t try hard enough.”

“I was locked in a basement in Belarus for almost two months,” he said. “You think I didn’t try?”

She blinked. “What?”

He met her gaze. “The day Viktor made sure you vanished from my life? That was the day I woke up chained to a radiator. Beaten. Injected with whatever cocktail they thought would keep me docile.”

She stared at him.

He let the silence linger before continuing.

“By the time I got out, I couldn’t find you. You were gone. Your father’s business had folded. Your mother was in treatment. And you… you were nowhere.”

“You’re lying.”

“I’m not.”

She moved closer, voice tighter. “Then why didn’t you come to me later?”

“I did.”

“No, you didn’t.”

“I went to Viktor.”

She went still.

“He told me if I showed up again, he’d make sure you never saw your child. He said you didn’t want to see me. That you were healing.”

Sophie’s voice dropped. “And you believed him?”

Nikolai’s jaw clenched. “I wanted to.”

“Why?”

“Because if I didn’t—if I thought for even a second that you needed me and I wasn’t there—I wouldn’t have survived it.”

She sat down slowly, knees buckling beneath the weight of his words.

Nikolai watched her, eyes sharp but softer now.

“I wasn’t a good man back then,” he said. “I was reckless. Arrogant. But I loved you.”

“Then why are you threatening me now?”

“Because you still belong to me.”

“No,” she said, voice cracking. “I never did.”

He didn’t flinch. “That’s where you’re wrong.”

“I have a life.”

“You have a lie wrapped in silk.”

“I have a son.”

“So do I.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You don’t get to say that.”

“I’m not here to play house, Sophie. I’m here to claim my blood.”

She stood, voice low but sharp. “You think I’ll let you near him after everything you’ve done?”

He stood too, face close now.

“I don’t need your permission.”

“Try me,” she hissed.

And then—

He laughed.

Low. Quiet. Cold.

“You still have fire,” he said. “That’s why I loved you.”

“I’m not yours.”

“I made you.”

“You broke me.”

“I built you first.”

She stepped back, breath shaking.

“I don’t want to be built anymore.”

“Then what do you want?”

“Peace,” she whispered. “For me. For Ethan. For the man who didn’t leave.”

His jaw ticked.

“Alexander’s not your future.”

“He already is.”

Nikolai’s eyes darkened. “Then you’ve made your choice.”

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll make mine.”

She didn’t ask what that meant.

She didn’t need to.

She turned, walking fast toward the exit.

He didn’t follow.

But his voice followed her like a ghost.

“This isn’t over, Sophie.”

She didn’t respond.

She stepped outside, into the cold, into the car, into Alexander’s arms the moment he opened the door.

“You heard everything?” she asked.

He nodded.

“I believe you now,” she said. “About everything.”

Alexander kissed her forehead, then her lips.

And then he whispered, “Let’s finish this.”