Belle’s POV
Nikolai’s arm held me tight in place as he guides my chin to look him in the eyes. He knows that this is my weakness. He very well knows that he is my weakness.
“Baby, please.” He begged.
I tried to look down but he held my chin once again. Truth is, I do not want to continue looking at him because I can actually see and feel his pain. The kind of pain that the eyes can never hide.
This man in front of me is not the Nikolai that I have always known. This is not the Volkov who always has everything under control.
“You promised you’d grow old with me. You said the three of us, forever and ever. Why are you giving up on us?”
It’s as if he is truly bewildered as to why I am giving up on our relationship. It’s like he doesn’t understand how he and his brother broke my heart by using me as someone akin to their dead lover.
“What am I going to be fighting for then Nikolai? Our relationship was a lie. There is no reason for us to continue. There is no forever and ever. You do not love me. Your brother did not love me.”
“You don’t get to tell me that I do not love you. I’m the only one who gets to decide that. Believe me, you are wrong! You are the only one that I’m in love with. Whatever it is that you are thinking is wrong! Baby, did you open the letter I sent you? Did you read what’s in it?”
This time, I forced myself to look away. I don’t see how the letter will change the fact that they see Yelena in me. The fact that they forgot my birthday because of her.
“Ara, do you want to go?” Said Devon who just arrived in the lounge. He was the one sent by my father to arrange our return to the Palawian Embassy.
Nikolai darted a look at my cousin but Devon could not care less. He doesn’t care that we are practically surrounded by Nikolai’s men and that he is going against the Mafia Boss himself.
“My wife and I are talking.” Said Nikolai as he holds my wrist firmly after he caught me attempting to pull away from him.
My cousin was about to step forward to take me but then Boris and Dimitri were already by his side. Before anything could happen I took the attention of the Mafia Boss. “What do you want Nikolai?”
“I want you to come home with me. Alexei is in the mansion. He’s still unconscious but we both know whose face he wants to see when he wakes up.”
“Ara.” Said my cousin with a hint of warning in his voice.
“I will come with you to the mansion.” I said, ignoring Devon. Nikolai then signals his men to prepare to leave but I wasn’t finished yet.
“I will come with you to the mansion for one night, just so I can see Alexei but you will stay away from me.”
“Okay.” He was quick to answer.
“And you will sign the divorce papers. You will not contest every single provision and I get full custody of the children. You will have visiting rights anytime you want.”
Nikolai’s adam’s apple moved as if what I just said was too much for him to take. He wasn’t able to say a word for a good ten seconds. He just looks at me, eyes glistening.
I know that I am in no position to negotiate with him at this very moment because if he wishes, he can just have me and my whole family dragged back to the mansion. Still, I am taking my chance.
“I will sign- the divorce- in one condition.”
I felt like my heart skipped a beat the moment I heard his response. I know that this was against his will and yet he was able to muster the words. Nikolai Vyacheslav Volkov just agreed to divorce.
“What condition?” I asked before he could even change his mind.
“You will read the letter I sent you and the one attached to it.”
The letter must be that important to him that he is willing to give up and sign the divorce paper in exchange for it to be read. “How can I be sure if you will keep your part of this deal Nikolai?”
“I am a man of my word Arabella. I do as I say. And you know that.”
I know that I have struck a nerve when it came out as that I don’t trust him. Truth is, I know him as a man who keeps his word. He does exactly as he says.
My father and Nikolai talked for a while before Papa and Mama were escorted back to the embassy. My father was not persuaded to stay temporarily in the mansion and so tonight they will be staying at the embassy. Amy and Devon will come with me to the mansion until our meeting with the lawyers tomorrow to finalize our divorce. I made sure everything is planned and discussed with Nikolai before I even agreed to come to the mansion with him. My only concern now is surviving the night with Alexei in dire condition and Nikolai just around.
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