Bonds

Chapter 126

-Maya’s POV-

I stormed out of the study, the echoes of my words bouncing off the walls like angry bullets. Halfway down the hallway, Ivan met me and without a word, he shrugged off his jacket. I took it from him with a mumbled word of thanks, the oversized garment swallowing my small frame. It reached mid–thigh, the sleeves hanging far past my fingertips.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice soft and gentle.

I managed a shaky nod. “I just need to get the twins. We’re leaving.”

He scanned the hallway, his brow furrowed in skepticism. “Do you want me to come with you? Or maybe I should just wait here?”

My heart ached at his question. He was too good, too understanding. I didn’t deserve his unwavering loyalty after everything I’d put him through. A small smile tugged at the corners of my lips, barely reaching my eyes. “I’m sure they’ve missed you and would want to see you.”

With a shared glance, we set off towards the garden. The walk seemed longer than it should have been and as we rounded a corner, the sounds of children’s laughter reached our ears. Relief washed over me, warm and sweet. There, in the heart of the chaos, my little ones played, oblivious to the turmoil that surrounded them.

For a moment, I just stood there, watching them. Ivy, with her mess of blonde curls and boundless energy, bounced around like a dandelion seed in the wind while Nate chased after her. A pang of envy stabbed at me. To be them, innocent and carefree, untouched by the harsh realities of the world. It seemed a lifetime ago that I had known such carefree joy.

Suddenly, Ivy’s gaze landed on us. With a shriek of delight, she abandoned her being pursued and launched herself towards Ivan. Her laughter echoed through the garden, a melody that chased away the shadows in my heart for a fleeting moment.

She collided with him in a whirlwind of hugs and excited chatter, burying her face in his chest. Ivan caught her effortlessly, his large frame dwarfing her tiny body. A smile, genuine and heartfelt, spread across his face.

Nate followed suit, though with a touch less enthusiasm. He mumbled a greeting, his head downcast, and shyly wrapped his arms around my legs. I scooped him up into my arms, his warmth a comforting weight against my chest.

“I’ll send for their things later,” I said to my mother with a smile as we passed her. She nodded in understanding watching until we entered the car.

The car ride was filled with the cacophony of childhood. Ivy bombarded him with a barrage of questions about where he’d been. I could see a strained smile playing on his lips as he tried to entertain her endless curiosity. Finally, we pulled into the familiar driveway.

I announced

problem. I will

hiss of the water a soothing balm to my frayed nerves. I stripped off

eyes and tried to breathe. But the images, the sounds, the echoes

eternity before the water lost its heat and the steam in the bathroom began to clear. Stepping out, wrapped in a towel, I

was surprised by the sight that greeted me. The day had already begun to fade, casting long shadows across the room. Ivan sat on the floor, the twins sprawled across him like contented kittens, fast

Chapter 126

looked up as I entered, a tired smile gracing his features. With

said, his

replied, my gaze softening at the peaceful scene

been keeping me busy,” he

his expression, a change from playful amusement to something deeper. He stood

left. It wasn’t the way I wanted

guilt twisted in my gut. Here he was, apologizing for something that, in the grand scheme of things, paled in comparison

I mumbled, the words tasting like ashes in my

him soon. I wouldn’t waste these precious

his expression pensive. “When I left,” he began, then hesitated. He seemed to be choosing his words carefully. “It gave me time to think. And with the growing chaos in

blinked, momentarily stunned by his suggestion. “Left?

somewhere quiet. The company is doing well, and I could move the headquarters. You could work for me.

took both my hands in his, his touch sending a jolt of electricity through me. My mind raced, trying to process the whirlwind of possibilities his words presented. The promise of a new beginning, a

good to be true,

suffocating expectations of my family, the constant threat of violence, the memories that haunted every corner of this house. The thought was

speak, but before I could get a single word out, he cut in. “Just

sincerity in his eyes disarming the protest that had formed on my tongue. “The answer is yes. I want

that lit up his entire being. He pulled me into a tight embrace, his arms a comforting haven. As he