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.

“Now, can we please get past this

and it sent a jolt straight to my heart. “I didn’t

I burst out laughing, the sound echoing through the parkour room. “Oh, you are charming,”

watched me laugh for a moment, his gaze warm and appreciative, before reaching down and shutting his laptop with a decisive

10:26 Sat, 22 Jun

Chapter 74

“What are you doing?”

to fix the awkwardness,” he announced with a playful

a chessboard from a nearby drawer. My laughter redoubled. “Chess? You’re going to

on the floor between us. “Besides, I think

your ass”

last time

his eyes. “Maybe you just got lucky that

what, some secret chess strategies you learned online?” I teased, taking a

with a smirk, arranging the pieces on the board with practiced ease. “Now, are we playing white

I declared, reaching out to claim the black pawns. The

hands.

began in a tense silence, each move carefully considered. Ivan, true to his word, seemed to be employing strategic approaches. He captured one of my pawns early on, a sly smile playing

goes your lucky streak,” he said,

playfully. “Don’t get cocky yet, Ivan. The game’s far from

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

conceded, stroking his chin thoughtfully. “But I think

delightful back–and–forth battle of strategy and cunning. We traded pieces, launched surprise attacks, and defended our positions with a mix of determination and amusement. The initial awkwardness had completely dissolved, replaced by a comfortable companionship that felt as familiar as

spreading across my face as I delivered the final blow

groaned, feigning exasperation. “Seriously? You

like it. Maybe your secret online strategies aren’t so secret

head in mock defeat. “Alright, alright, you win. But next time, I’m definitely going to crush

“We’ll

I see about that.”

It wasn’t the heavy, awkward silence of