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!”

kept walking, leaving me alone in the echoing silence of the room. As he reached the

he said finally. “I’m not. But I need time. Time to process this.”

me alone in the darkness with the deafening silence

building, each step echoing the turmoil within. Stealing a deep, shaky breath, I opted against calling a cab. Walking, I reasoned, might offer a semblance of

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

and without realizing it, my

84%

Chapter 17

stopped to stare at the sign for a

The Rusty Compass.

A lone young woman stood behind the bar, her auburn hair cascading down her shoulders in fiery waves. Her face, etched with the lines of experience, held a warmth

a double

for a beat longer than necessary. Her eyes, the color of melted chocolate, held a flicker

her gaze night?”

slumped onto the wom barstool, defeat coursing through me. “The roughest of them all,” I confessed, letting

three and before I realized, I

understanding. When

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

stuff, sweetheart,” he barked at Riley, his gaze leering. “And

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

and your gunes.”

around the shaved head of the newcomer clanked as he slammed his fist on the counter, the force rattling the glasses behind Riley, “This place ain’t for the likes of us, huh? What makes you think you can throw us out,

“You are

bikers. This bar has its rules. Bikers aren’t allowed in here. I’m pretty

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

gripped the edge of the barstool, the weight of the situation pressing down

surprisingly calm despite the churning in my stomach, “Maybe it’s

to do?” The man sneered, his gaze flickering to me with undisguised hostility. “This

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

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

let out a guttural laugh. “Yeah, maybe she

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

Comments ()

0/255