Chapter 25 Paradise and Guilt

Chapter 25 Paradise and Guilt
Nikolai’s fingers wrap around mine as he leads me outside, and before I can second-guess anything, I’m seated in his car. The engine starts with a purr so smooth I barely feel the movement when we pull away.

The world outside the window looks like a dream.

Tall white buildings with beautiful blue roofs.
Pink flowers on balconies.
Palm trees swaying calmly in the breeze.

It’s the kind of view people save their entire lives to see once.

But all I feel is guilt.
Because while I’m riding through paradise…
Adrian is still in prison.
He’s sitting on a cold, dirty floor… surrounded by darkness and the smell of sweat and mold.
He’s suffering.

And I’m here… next to the man who put me in this situation.

A lump forms in my throat.

This world is too beautiful for me right now.
It feels wrong to even look at it.
“It’s beautiful, right?” Nikolai asks suddenly.

His voice startles me a little. I turn my head and see him watching me briefly before his eyes return to the road.

“It is,” I say quietly.
I don’t lie. The place looks like a dream.

And from the corner of my eye, I notice the small, proud smile tugging at his lips. Like he personally created every building for me.

“Then enjoy the view,” he says. “Stop worrying about things that don’t matter.”

My jaw tightens.

“Adrian isn’t ‘things that don’t matter,’” I shoot back immediately, anger bubbling through my veins.

Nikolai’s smirk appears fully this time.

“I never mentioned Adrian,” he replies. “But if he’s the first thing that comes to your mind when I say ‘less important’… then perhaps it’s your guilt talking.”

I press my lips together. There’s no point arguing. Arguing with him is like trying to put out a wildfire with bare hands, he always twists it back on me. 

Nikolai always has the final word.

So I look out the window instead, watching the tall buildings slide past. The drive is quiet, and every time I glance at him, he’s already watching me.

After about half an hour, the car finally slows to a stop.

People laugh, music plays, and the place is full.

My breath catches as I stare through the window. Everyone out there looks rich, confident, perfect… the opposite of what I feel.

Almost immediately, my palms start sweating. I curl my fingers into fists to hide the shaking.

“What is the matter?” Nikolai asks, and his voice pulls me back.

“It’s nothing,” I say quickly.

His eyes narrow slightly. “That’s not an answer.”

He leans closer, lowering his tone.

“Talk to me, love. I can’t help you if you don’t tell me what’s wrong.”

My heart stumbles a beat. He has this way of sounding like he cares… even when I’m terrified he doesn’t.

I force a small breath in. “I just… don’t like crowds.”

He studies me for a moment. Then, gently, he takes my hand. His fingers wrap around mine like they were meant to be there. Before I can even process it, he lifts my hand and presses a soft kiss against my knuckles. My heart lunges into my throat and my face warms instantly. He must feel my pulse racing against his mouth. 

“I’m right here with you,” he says, his voice low and reassuring. “You don’t have to look at anyone else. And if somebody stares too long, I’ll make sure they regret it.”

My lips part, but no sound comes out.

What am I supposed to say to that?

So I simply nod, and he nods back as if we’ve just agreed on something important.

He steps out of the car first, then walks around to my side. I swallow, eyes flicking to the crowd outside. My pulse speeds up again. But then the door swings open, and Nikolai is there, holding it for me like I’m royalty.

For a second, I can only stare. I’m not used to being treated like that.

“T-Thank you,” I whisper, my voice a little unsteady. My cheeks grow hotter when I notice people turning their heads to look at us. Or… mostly at him.

The tall, mysterious man with the sharp jaw and dark presence.
And… unfortunately… me beside him.

I feel small next to him. Not because of him, but because of this place. Everything is bright and perfect and expensive. I’m just… me.

He slips his hand around mine again, fingers interlocking and we begin to walk. I force my shoulders back, trying to look steady even though my heart keeps tripping over itself. We move through the sea of tourists and laughter until we step inside the cool shade of a large glass building.

The lobby is lively. People line up in front of a reception desk, handing over their tickets before being allowed deeper inside. A huge digital screen displays movie posters above us.

“Do you have tickets?” I ask Nikolai, lifting my brows because honestly… with him, you never know.

He glances down at me, lips curving into that amused, arrogant smirk.

“Of course I do,” he says. “How else would I have planned for us to watch a movie?”

By forcing your way in like the king of the world you think you are.
I say it only in my head.

Before I can find a better reply for him, a voice calls from behind me.

“Liora Reynolds?”

My heart lurches. When I turn, I see her.

Lisa.

Wearing a silky dress that probably costs more than my entire closet, hair bouncing in curls, purse glittering under the lights. She walks toward me with a confident swing of her hips and a bright smile on her face.

“For a moment, I wasn’t sure if it was you,” she says as she reaches us.
Her gaze shifts and lands on Nikolai.

“Good day,” she greets, suddenly softer.

“How do you do?” Nikolai replies politely.

Lisa’s cheeks redden slightly. She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, suddenly acting like a teenager meeting her celebrity crush.

“I’m doing wonderful,” she says. “Um… would you mind if I talk to Liora for a moment? Just us girls?”

Her eyes flick to me as if begging me to say yes before he does.

Nikolai turns his head, studying me.

His stare silently asks me if I want to go with Lisa.

I give a small nod which he accepts almost immediately.

“I don’t mind,” he replies smoothly to Lisa. “But don’t take her too far. I want my eyes on her at all times.”

Nikolai’s hand leaves mine only when Lisa pulls me a few steps away.

Lisa’s glossy smile disappears the moment we’re out of his earshot.

“Li? Seriously?” She lets out a tiny, disbelieving laugh. “I didn’t know you were… that kind of girl now.”

I frown.

“What kind of girl?” My voice is tight. 

She leans closer, her voice dropping to a whisper.
“The kind who sleeps with men like him for money.”

My stomach drops. Sleep with… what?