Bonds

Chapter 74

-Maya’s POV-

The house smelled like Ivan, a mix of leather polish, wood polish, and something clean and citrusy. It was a familiar scent, safe and comforting. In the playroom, the twins were already lost in their own world, glggling as they chased a runaway ball of yarn across the soft carpet. Relief washed over me like a warm wave. Here, with Ivan, things felt normal again.

I took a deep breath and padded down the hallway towards his study. It was a converted room, lined with bookshelves and a massive oak

desk, Ivan was hunched over his laptop, his brow furrowed in concentration. The muscles in his shoulders, usually so broad and reassuring. were tight, and his jaw was clenched. My heart ached for him. Ever since I’d come back with the twins, he’d been working around the clock, practically carrying the weight of the entire company on his own.

A small smile tugged at my lips. Maybe a little caffeine boost would help. I peeked into the kitchen, grabbed a steaming cup of coffee I’d made earlier, and headed back towards the study. “Hey,” I said softly, pushing the door open a crack.

Ivan’s head snapped up, startled. Then, a slow smile spread across his face, crinkling the corners of his eyes in a way that always sent warmth. blooming in my chest. “Hey yourself,” he said, his voice gruff but laced with genuine gratitude.

He took the coffee carefully, balancing it precariously on his lap as he navigated his way out of his chair. Settling onto the plush armchair next to the desk, I couldn’t help but steal another glance at him. He looked tired, dark circles smudging the skin under his eyes.

“So,” I began hesitantly, “how are things going with the company?”

He took a sip of the coffee, letting out a satisfied sigh. “It’s… fine,” he said finally. It wasn’t the most forthcoming answer, but I knew him well enough to understand there was more to it.

Letting out a sigh of my own, I slumped down on the mat opposite him. “I’m tired of this,” I admitted, the words tumbling out before I could. stop them. “Ever since I came back with the twins, things have just been so…” I trailed off, searching for the right word.

“Awkward?” he supplied, his voice gentle.

I looked up at him, surprised. “Yeah, awkward. And I’m sorry, Ivan. I just…” My voice trailed off again, the guilt bubbling up inside me.

brow furrowed in

He reached out, his hand hovering over mine for a moment before gently squeezing it. “It was my fault, Amaya,” he said softly. “I shouldn’t have used you to make a jab at Alex, or ever made you feel like I thought you were some possession I could just claim,” regret. “I’m truly sorry for that.”

The warmth in his eyes, the sincerity in his voice, melted away the last vestiges of my anger. He was right. I had let my hurt cloud my judgment, and in the process, I’d pushed him away.

voice soft. “Now, can we please get past this awkward phase? I miss your charm

full–blown smile that lit up his whole face. It was a sight I hadn’t seen in a white, and it sent a

seemed to dissipate. I burst out laughing, the

and appreciative, before reaching down and shutting his laptop with

10:26 Sat, 22 Jun

Chapter 74

“What are you doing?”

the awkwardness,” he announced

My laughter redoubled. “Chess?

he challenged, setting the board up on the floor between us. “Besides, I think it’ll

your ass”

snort of laughter escaped me. “Kick my ass? The last time I played chess, I won three games in

you just got lucky that

Prepared with what, some secret chess strategies you learned online?” I teased, taking a seat opposite him

with a smirk, arranging the pieces on the board with

the black pawns. The cool touch of

hands.

to be employing strategic

your lucky streak,” he said, a hint of triumph

get cocky yet, Ivan. The

renewed focus, I launched a counteroffensive, maneuvering my queen into a threatening position, Ivan furrowed his brow in

thoughtfully. “But I think I can

in this vein for a good hour, a delightful back–and–forth battle of strategy and cunning. We traded pieces, launched surprise attacks, and defended our positions with a mix of determination

spreading across my face as I delivered the final blow

feigning exasperation. “Seriously? You

secret online strategies aren’t so secret after

head in mock defeat. “Alright, alright, you win. But

“We’ll

I see about that.”

It wasn’t the heavy, awkward silence of before, but