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Chapter 83

last update Last Updated: 2025-05-08 23:24:23

Ivana's POV

The confrontation this morning had refused to leave my head no matter how much I tried to forget about it.

For the first time, I saw a part of Ruslan which I never knew existed. The part that made him almost go on his knees begging me to stay back.

He had always been the one calling the shots but not today.

Igor wasn't left out. He employed all his skills in hopes to make me change my mind but I was rigid.

My decision was final on this was not because my mother said so. It was personal; I wasn't going to be the bastard daughter that clung to the family that killed her father.

That night, the room felt colder than usual.

Outside, the full moon illuminated the ward through the window blinds, casting pale silver lines across the wall.

At the moment, I was sitting on the edge of the bed, arms wrapped tightly around my knees as I sobbed silently into the sleeves of my sweater.

Everything felt wrong.

If I was told things were going to go awry with the Orlov, I wouldn't beli
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  • Craving Him, My Step-Brother    Chapter 84

    Ivana's POVIt had been a week since Mom and I left Russia and returned to New York with Jarik’s help who acted in accordance with his words.Even after leaving Russia, peace was still far-fetched, making me rethink my decision of leaving Russia with mom.I bet I was the only one feeling this way because mother had returned to normalcy, like nothing had hurted her. Most times, I wished I could get even a snippet of mom's overwhelming peace.In contrast to Russia which was quiet but had multiple battles going on in silence, New York was different. The day moved so fast and was loud. Everyone was carefree and no one looked over their shoulders in fright.This was the kind of life I once lived and enjoyed but now I detested it but I was trying so hard to readjust. I spent most of my time in my room, trying to unpack but I never completed unpacking.It was either Ruslan’s face haunted me as unpacking brought back memories or it was Lara’s tear filled eyes or Igor’s pleading voice. No

  • Craving Him, My Step-Brother    Chapter 83

    Ivana's POVThe confrontation this morning had refused to leave my head no matter how much I tried to forget about it.For the first time, I saw a part of Ruslan which I never knew existed. The part that made him almost go on his knees begging me to stay back.He had always been the one calling the shots but not today. Igor wasn't left out. He employed all his skills in hopes to make me change my mind but I was rigid. My decision was final on this was not because my mother said so. It was personal; I wasn't going to be the bastard daughter that clung to the family that killed her father. That night, the room felt colder than usual. Outside, the full moon illuminated the ward through the window blinds, casting pale silver lines across the wall. At the moment, I was sitting on the edge of the bed, arms wrapped tightly around my knees as I sobbed silently into the sleeves of my sweater.Everything felt wrong.If I was told things were going to go awry with the Orlov, I wouldn't beli

  • Craving Him, My Step-Brother    Chapter 82

    Ruslan’s POV“Stop." Lara yelled, blocking my path and stopping me from taking another step. I wanted to go after Ivana. I couldn't allow her to leave just like that. Not after what we shared, I couldn't lose her because I was also going to lose my mind. “Her resolve will become even stronger if you keep trying to explain your actions." Lara added, pushing me to the side. In anger, I brushed past her and without saying any other word to her, I stormed towards the stairs. By the time I stepped into the Orlov estate, the fire in my veins had gone molten as my heavy steps echoed through the marble floored hallway. Anger wasn’t enough adjective to define what boiled inside of me. Loss, confusion and heartbreak dealt with me at the same time. Kicking the front down in, I stormed into the empty building only to slam the door shut the next second.A few minutes later, Nico appeared from the corner, a tablet in hand as he made his way towards me.“Boss, you need to see this. The eastern

  • Craving Him, My Step-Brother    Chapter 81

    Ivana’s POVPressing her lips into a thin line, Lara pushed her hand into her hair and before I could realize what was happening, she was kneeling right in front of me.Grabbing my hand, she cried, “Ivana, please… give us a chance to fix this.” “I would’ve told you sooner if I had known what it meant to you—” “You think that makes it better?” I snapped, cutting her off as I pulled my hand from her grip. Grabbing the metal rails, I allowed my fingers to clench tightly around it as we got to the end of the corridor. “You want a chance." I let out a bitter laugh, tilting my head to the side. “I swear, I didn’t know how to tell you. If only I knew things were going to turn out this way, I wouldn’t have held back at all. We have been a good family….”“No, we were not. You let me believe we were a family, while you all were covering up the murder of my father.”“I didn’t know….” She repeated, shaking her head sideways as she choked on the words.“I didn’t have a father growing up but

  • Craving Him, My Step-Brother    Chapter 80

    Ivana’s POVIt has been two weeks now. Two weeks since I regained consciousness only to be greeted with the most shocking news of my life, two weeks since I saw or heard from Ruslan, and two weeks since I started my rehab for proper healing. The excruciating pain was less intense now. It has been dulled by the medication and daily stretches that left my limbs trembling but stronger. A few days ago, my therapist said I was making fast progress, and I was grateful for that as I was sick and tired of being confined in the hospital.Day after day, I followed the same routine, wheelchair to walker, walker to staggered steps. Each time, I counted my steps like they would distract me from the revelation that had refused to leave my mind. It had been ten years since my father's death and I was almost forgetting about it, only for a shocking truth to be revealed. The family that had taken us in, the one man whom I loved wholeheartedly was behind it. That was what the files said and I be

  • Craving Him, My Step-Brother    Chapter 79

    Ivana’s POVIt was dull at first so I managed to keep still but when the sharp pain traveled from my spine straight to my brain, I jerked, snapping my eyes open only to shut it.The blinding light steaming from the open window hurted that I had to open my eyes slowly and cautiously to avoid a repeat of what happened earlier.Hospital? My heart beat doubled as my eyes fell on the iron rod next to me. A drip was connected to my hand and the more I stared at it, the more curious I became. The last time I checked, I was perfectly fine, how come I was in the hospital?I racked my head, thinking of an answer but I couldn't come up with any. It was frustrating and just before I could yell my lungs out, I saw her.That explains the familiar scent of lavender that has been messing with my brain.Mom was seated on the couch opposite me, a sheet covering her slightly as she slept. Her hair which was always styled neatly was tangled, her cheeks resting on her hand and the worried look on her fa

  • Craving Him, My Step-Brother    Chapter 79

    Ivana’s POVIt was dull at first so I managed to keep still but when the sharp pain traveled from my spine straight to my brain, I jerked, snapping my eyes open only to shut it.The blinding light steaming from the open window hurted that I had to open my eyes slowly and cautiously to avoid a repeat of what happened earlier.Hospital? My heart beat doubled as my eyes fell on the iron rod next to me. A drip was connected to my hand and the more I stared at it, the more curious I became. The last time I checked, I was perfectly fine, how come I was in the hospital?I racked my head, thinking of an answer but I couldn't come up with any. It was frustrating and just before I could yell my lungs out, I saw her.That explains the familiar scent of lavender that has been messing with my brain.Mom was seated on the couch opposite me, a sheet covering her slightly as she slept. Her hair which was always styled neatly was tangled, her cheeks resting on her hand and the worried look on her fa

  • Craving Him, My Step-Brother    Chapter 78

    Ruslan’s POVFinally, it was all over. Lorenzo and his ghost boss had been sent to the abyss and that was enough for me for now.Punching the last key on the door lock, I listened to the familiar sound of the door creaking open and with my hand tucked in my pockets, I made my way in, the door clicking shut behind me. Taking a deep breath, I looked around the large living room but no one was in sight. I was expecting to see Ivory waiting expectantly for my return. Rolling up the sleeves of my shirt, I made my way towards the couch and then plopped on it with a little sigh. Ivana. — I thought, the sight of blood gushing out of her wound making rounds in my head. Before coming here, I had made a stop at the hospital. She was barely alive but stable, and breathing.“You're back." Ivory said, and immediately, I shot my head upwards. She was making her way towards me, her face unreadable until she halted right in front of me.“How is Ivana?” She asked with a trembling lip. “She’s fine

  • Craving Him, My Step-Brother    Chapter 77

    RUSLAN'S POV Raising my head slowly with my lips slightly parted, I wanted to yell out in pain. I felt my whole body trembling, like I was going to pass out the next second. Ivana was nowhere to be found while Gideon remained in the same position, blood dripping from his hand. “I told you, I don’t want Ivana to see you suffer. It's going to make her miserable in the afterlife." Fuming with anger, I tried to get on my feet but two of his men held me from behind, pinning to the ground. From the corner of my eyes, I could see Nico, wielding his gun. I desperately wanted to ask if Ivana was fine but that means giving his position away. “Bring him here." Lorenzo commanded and immediately, I was pulled towards the old table I haven't seen up till now. Grabbing a pair of garden shears, Gideon twisted it to confirm if it was working well and when he did get it, he grabbed my fingers. “Each finger for each ten million dollars I lost.” He smacked his lips, positioning my fingers in such

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