Bonds

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

-Maya’s POV-

“You don’t have to say it back,” he rushed on, his voice attempting to mask the vulnerability I saw reflected in his eyes. “And maybe I shouldn’t have been so hasty. I just… can’t hide how I feel. You’re an amazing woman, Amaya, and…”

He trailed off, searching my face, and a wave of panic washed over me. I couldn’t let him get any closer, not emotionally, not physically.

“I have kids,” the words tumbled out in a rush, escaping my control before I could stop them.

He blinked, a flicker of confusion replacing the affection in his eyes. “What?”

I could almost hear my father’s voice, a chilling echo in the back of my head, warning me against this very moment.

“Two of them,” I blurted out, my voice ragged. “Twins. And I didn’t… I mean, my father didn’t want me to tell you. But I don’t want to lie to you anymore,

Ivan.”

Silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating. He just stared at me, his expression unreadable. The longer he remained silent, the heavier the weight of my confession became.

“Ivan? Please, say something.”

Then, a flicker of something dark crossed his features. Anpor? Hurt? Whatever it was, sent a shiver down my spine.

“How long were you going to keep it a secret?” His voice was low, laced with a dangerous edge. “Wait, that’s not even the question I should be asking. Who is the father?”

My mouth gaped open and closed like a fish out of water. No words came out, no justifications, no explanations.

Frustration flared in his eyes, quickly replaced by a chilling resignation. He let out a humorless scoff “Fine,” he muttered, the single word heavy with disappointment.

He turned away, his broad shoulders slumped in defeat, “I trust you can find your way back to wherever you go to hide your lies,” he said, his voice cold

and distant.

“Ivan, please!”

room. As he reached the doorway, a sliver of fear flickered within me. “Are you ending

he said finally. “I’m not. But I need time. Time to process this.” He paused again, his gaze lingering on me for a beat longer before he continued, “I’ll call you when I have

a final, heavy sigh, he disappeared out the door, leaving me alone in the darkness

echoing the turmoil within. Stealing a deep, shaky breath, I opted

frenetic energy as 1 walked. My destination remained unknown, my mind consumed by the fallout that

without

84%

Chapter 17

at the sign for

The Rusty Compass.

The low murmur of conversation hung in the air, punctuated by the occasional clinking of glasses. A lone young woman stood behind the bar,

I get a

for a beat longer than necessary. Her eyes, the

her gaze night?”

barstool, defeat coursing through me. “The

glass turned into two, then three and before I realized, I was spilling my guts to a

mask of quiet understanding. When I finished, a heavy silence

shoved their way through a swinging door, their laughter grating in the previously subdued atmosphere. One of them, a man with a

sweetheart,” he barked

of defiance sparked in her hazel, “I’m sorry but there are no drinks available. This is a peaceful

and your gunes.”

he slammed his fist on the counter, the force rattling the glasses behind

“You are

This bar has its rules. Bikers aren’t allowed in here. I’m pretty sure you know that. You are

was in Riley’s face, “Again Lask. What are you going to do

of the barstool, the weight of the situation pressing down on

interjected, my voice surprisingly calm despite the churning in my stomach, “Maybe it’s best if you guys

man sneered, his gaze flickering to me with undisguised hostility. “This ain’t your

kind of is. This

some kind of

let out a guttural laugh. “Yeah, maybe

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255