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.

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

up his whole face. It was a sight I hadn’t seen in a white, and it sent a jolt straight to my heart. “I didn’t think you

to dissipate. I burst out laughing, the sound echoing through

a moment, his gaze warm and appreciative, before reaching down and shutting his laptop

10:26 Sat, 22 Jun

Chapter 74

“What are you doing?”

the awkwardness,” he announced

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

setting the board up on the floor between us. “Besides, I think it’ll be fun watching you squirm

your ass”

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

eyebrow, a playful glint in his eyes. “Maybe you just got lucky that time. Besides you haven’t played with me.

learned online?” I teased,

arranging the pieces on the board with practiced ease. “Now, are

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

hands.

to be employing strategic approaches. He captured one of my pawns early on, a sly smile

your lucky streak,” he said, a

playfully. “Don’t get cocky

queen into a threatening position, Ivan furrowed his

stroking his chin thoughtfully. “But I think I

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 and amusement.

spreading across my face as I delivered the final blow with my

feigning exasperation. “Seriously? You

your secret online

“Alright, alright, you win. But next time,

“We’ll

I see about that.”

began packing up the chessboard, a comfortable silence settled between us. It wasn’t the heavy, awkward silence of before, but