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!”

He just kept walking, leaving me alone in the echoing silence of the room. As he reached the doorway, a sliver of fear flickered within me.

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

the door, leaving me alone in the darkness

left the building, each step echoing the turmoil within. Stealing a deep, shaky breath,

city streets pulsed with a frenetic energy as 1 walked. My destination remained unknown, my mind consumed by the fallout that awaited me. My

filled my ears and without realizing

84%

Chapter 17

at the sign for

The Rusty Compass.

air, punctuated by the occasional clinking of glasses. A lone young woman stood behind the bar, her auburn hair cascading

a double

lingering on my face for a beat longer than necessary. Her eyes,

her gaze night?”

wom barstool, defeat coursing through me. “The

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

patiently, her expression a mask of quiet understanding. When I finished, a

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

strongest stuff, sweetheart,” he barked at Riley, his

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

and your gunes.”

the newcomer clanked as he slammed his fist on the counter, the force rattling the glasses behind Riley, “This place ain’t for the

“You are

here. I’m pretty sure

him as he moved closer until he was in Riley’s face, “Again Lask. What are you going to

of the barstool, the weight

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

The man sneered, his gaze flickering to me with undisguised hostility.

deep breath, “it kind of is. This is a decent place, and causing trouble isn’t exactly

across his face. “This some kind of joke, sweetheart? You think

his buddies, a hulking mass of a man let out a guttural laugh. “Yeah, maybe she should show

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