Vyacheslav did not mince his words when he explained to Nikolai that his mother did not want him. She was going to get rid of him the moment she knew she was pregnant but Vyacheslav wants to take responsibility for his child. He paid her off to keep the baby until Nikolai was born. Vyacheslav flew to the United States, carrying the baby in his arms.
His father then went on to say that whatever happened in the past, he must take it as it is and grow up to be a man for himself. It was not long enough when Yelena, Irene, Viktor and Alexei played a role in his life. Until then, he was raised to be Vyacheslav’s heir. He was taught a lot of things that made him who he is in the present—dealing with heartbreak however was not one of them.
–
The next day and without any sleep, Nikolai arranged a secret meeting in a secluded area outside of the big city. They are inside their SUV as they wait for someone from the high ranks of one of the agencies of the US government to alight from an entourage of black cars. The woman was in her mid-forties, blonde hair and has a frigid demeanor. She gets inside Nikolai’s SUV, all serious and business-like. She hands him a brown envelope containing pictures of Belle from inside the Palawian Embassy.
W: They did not leave the US. Her father asked assistance from the State Department for their safe passage from the hospital to the embassy. Since then, the embassy is in the no-fly zone and security has tripled in size. The General hired private contractors mostly with Palawian ancestry as bodyguards.
Nikolai: Is there a way in?
W: It’s business as usual in the left-wing annex of the embassy. (Points at the part of the picture) It is connected to the main residence but expect it to be heavily guarded.
Nikolai: And what about Sergey Yvanislov? I cannot afford someone like Sergey on the wind while my wife’s security is beyond my control. Someone out there is protecting that motherfucker. And you still don’t have intel about him until now.
W: Mr. Volkov, I have eyes only in the outside world, I have little to no influence in the underworld. As far as the agency is concerned, Sergey is a ghost. He disappeared after his whole family was massacred by your people. We do not know if he is even alive. All we know is he has the money to pay people off for him to stay alive. I assure you, if his name comes up in any chatter, you will be the first one to know.
–
Volkov Holdings (VH)
Nikolai, Alexei, Dimitri and Andrey are inside the big Boss’ office planning their next move. Boris approached Nikolai to tell him that someone who claimed to be working with Governor-General Galves wants to see him.
He was searched by Boris for any weapons before letting him inside. He was basically forced to sit down right across Nikolai and Alexei even though the man was insisting that he need not sit because his business with Nikolai won’t take long.
“Speak.” Said Alexei.
“Mr. Nikolai Vyacheslav Volkov?” Asked the man, all fidgety.
“It depends. Why are you asking?” Inserted Dimitri.
The man sighed in frustration, “If I can just have my cellphone and eyeglasses back, I have a picture of Mr. Volkov there. Please? So we can all go on with our day?” He was looking at the faces of the men in front of him giving particular attention to the man unbeknownst to him, is actually the one he’s looking for.
“Why did the General send you here?” Asked Alexei.
“I need to give some papers to Mr. Volkov.”
“What papers?” Asked Dimitri.
“I just need Mr. Nikolai Vyacheslav Volkov please.”
Andrey took the envelope from him forcefully as Boris drags him out of Nikolai’s office. On his way out however, the man yelled something that alarmed the brothers.
“You’ve been served Mr. Nikolai Vyacheslav Volkov!”
When they opened the envelope, it was then that they realized that they were divorce papers — Nikolai as the defendant and Mary Arabella Galves Volkov as the plaintiff.
Belle just filed for divorce to legally dissolve their marriage. The nightmare that Nikolai was scared of happening just became a reality.
Not long enough, Alexei’s phone rang and it is the Cartel Boss.
“This is not a good time Axel.”
“Having a bad day huh?”
“What do you want?”
“I just thought that you’d want to know that your name came up at the registrar and in one of the courts in Bogota. I had my people dig for information and they confirmed that it was filed by lawyers hired by Mary Arabella Volkov.”
“She filed what?”
“It’s a petition for divorce. Expect that you will be served within the week. And by that I mean, make sure that never happens.”
–
Belle’s POV
“It’s done Ara.” Devon said as he got off the phone.
“Thank you Devy.” I said, looking at the window as the sun starts to set.
“Are you sure about this?”
I do not know what to respond. At this point, I am not sure about anything. All I know is that this must be done. From here on, I need to get used to not having Nikolai and Alexei beside me. I thought by now, after so many times those two broke my heart, that I’d get used to this feeling. I was wrong. One can never get used to the pain and the heartbreak.
I had a feeling that my parents and Devon knew about my relationship with both Nikolai and Alexei. Apparently, the two came clean to my father a long time ago. My father knew I was in a relationship with the two and he also knew that Nikolai and Alexei are the Russian Mafia Boss and Underboss. My parents and I never really got the chance to talk about it, they did not even ask me why or what has gotten into my head for marrying two Mafia men. All my father said was that he trusted Nikolai and Alexei with my safety plus I think he did not really have much choice that time because I was already pregnant.
I also found out from Devon that when my parents went back to the hotel the night before I bled, Nikolai and Alexei confessed to my father what really happened. That they forgot about my birthday and that we were having problems but they vowed to work things out with me. However, my father told them that after what they have done, the decision will ultimately be mine.
“Ara.”
“Yah. I’m sorry Devy. I was just thinking about something.”
“It’s okay. Remember that I will always be here for you. You have us, Ma and Papa and Amy. We will be here for you and the…”
“Omg! B! Devon! Come and see this!” Amy said rushing into the room, almost yelling at us. She’s now looking outside the window, utterly flabbergasted.
Something is happening at the embassy entrance. It’s the document process server that my father commissioned to serve the divorce papers to Nikolai. He was dropped off at the gate, the brown envelope containing the divorce papers are taped over his mouth and his hands are tied together as he begs the security personnel to let him in.
That poor man. He was just doing his job.
This means that Nikolai already knows that we are here at the Embassy. I am not surprised a single bit. With how vast his network and influence over New York, Nikolai can basically do everything he wants and get any information he needs. Even though my transfer from the Hospital to the embassy was considered classified information, Nikolai still got a hold of it with no trouble.
I knew that divorcing the two was not going to be easy. They have made it very clear a few times in the past that they are not having any of it. Even though at that time, it was only a joke. To them however, it was too damn real to a point that Nikolai threatened to kill anyone who will facilitate the divorce including the lawyers. That is why I asked my father to hire the best law firm hoping no Volkov has influence over them.
Devon just talked to one of our security. The process server has something to give me and he said that it is very important. The man is already begging like his life depended on it. Knowing fully well Nikolai and Alexei and what they are capable of, there is no doubt that his life actually depended on it.
The man has bruises all over his face and his left eye is already swollen. His hands are shaking as he opens a paper he took from his jacket pocket.
“Your husband is a very bad man and you are right to divorce him.” He whispered before he handed over the paper.
I did not even attempt to read it. I just placed it on top of the table in my room and try to forget about it. Right now, no matter what they say or do, there is no place in my heart for any forgiveness.