FINAL UPDATE!

Hi, everyone I just wanted to apologize for not being able to release all the chapters as promised. Lots of stuff I genuinely didn’t expect happened to me, but I hate disappointing you guys, especially after all the excitement and support you’ve shown this story. Thank you for being patient with me and for sticking with me through the delays. Your comments, messages, and constant support honestly mean more than you know. The remaining chapters will be coming tomorrow, and I truly appreciate everyone who’s still here waiting for this story with me (⁠〒⁠﹏⁠〒⁠)

CHAPTER 121: A RARE LAUGH

Aiden's POV“You know, I would’ve appreciated it if I didn't have to hear that you went back to Russia from Mom, Aiden.” Lily’s face was up close to her camera, her expression full of teenage judgment.I let out a heavy sigh, rubbing the back of my neck. “Lily, I’m sorry. Things happened so fast, and I didn't want to worry you.”She surprised me by shrugging in total abandon. “Oh no, I’m not mad. You should have left sooner, everyone at school compliments my outfits now.”My eyes narrowed instantly as my protective older brother instinct kicked in. “You better not be wearing those incomplete clothes to school. They’re inappropriate.”Lily just rolled her eyes, completely unfazed. “Everyone wears them now.” Before I could lecture her on what counted as a full shirt, she waved a hand dismissively. “Anyway, where’s… Nikolai? It’s been ages since I’ve seen him.”“He’s, uh… at work,” I said.It wasn't really a lie. Nikolai was working, even though he was just in his office two rooms down f

CHAPTER 122: THE COST OF VICTORY

Nikolai's POVThe abandoned warehouse was suffocatingly dusty, smelling faintly of decaying wood. A single, exposed bulb hung from the ceiling, casting a circle of light over the concrete floor. I sat on a single steel chair right in the center of that light, my arms resting on my knees, my expression completely blank.A heavy iron side door groaned open, scraping loudly against the floor.Prime Minister Ivanov walked into the light in a pristine gray suit that looked entirely out of place in the filth, and his signature slimy smirk was plastered across his face. A dozen heavily armed federal agents marched in behind him, their boots thudding in unison, weapons held tightly.“I’d like to say this was a surprise, but it wasn’t,” Ivanov said. He stopped just outside the circle of light, adjusting his cuffs with an insufferable, smug confidence. “I knew a rational man like you would eventually see the benefits of a compromise, Nikolai. I always win.”My frown remained locked in place, my

CHAPTER 123: SAVING IVAN

Aiden’s POVI stood in the hallway, my hand hovering just inches from the brass knob to Nikolai’s door, my chest so tight I could barely breathe. I was terrified to go inside. Terrified to see him.Through the small crack in the door, I could see Nikolai sitting perfectly still, staring down at a framed photograph in his lap. It was the picture he’d personally selected for his mother's empty casket ceremony. In it, Irina looked beautiful and…free.The ceremony was supposed to start in ten minutes. Everyone was gathered out on the estate grounds, waiting in a tense silence. The only problem was that we couldn't start—not only because Nikolai was locked in his room, but because Ivan had completely vanished. He hadn't been seen since last night, and no one could find him anywhere.“Aiden, the child will not stop crying,” Luka groaned, his voice echoing down the hallway as he walked up from the grounds. He looked entirely exhausted. “You have to come hold her. She only stops when you carr

CHAPTER 124: EPILOGUE (I)

[THREE MONTHS LATER]Aiden’s POVMy exhausting shift had finally come to an end. I finished locking my office and started walking down the busy main corridor, my bag slung over my shoulder.“Incredible job on that aneurysm, Dr. Cross,” one of the scrub nurses called out, offering a warm smile as she passed.“Thanks, Sarah. Have a good night,” I replied, nodding politely to a group of pediatrics nurses who waved from the main desk. I forced myself to keep my head up, greeting the familiar faces, but inside, I was so fucking tired. As I approached the main lobby entrance, I spotted Sean standing by the reception desk. He was dressed in his dark blue scrubs, looking tired but happy. The moment his eyes found me, a genuine smile broke across his face, and he walked over to meet me.“Hey,” Sean said. “Look at you. You actually survived your endless surgeries.”“Barely,” I chuckled softly, stopping in front of him. “I think I was in that OR for ten hours straight. My back is completely don

CHAPTER 125: EPILOGUE (II)

Nikolai’s POV I lay propped up on one elbow, my gaze tracing the rhythmic rise and fall of Aiden’s bare chest. He fell asleep almost immediately after we made love, worn out from his long shift. A quiet chuckle escaped my throat. I still didn’t entirely understand how my life had completely transformed like this. Just a few months ago, I was the feared, ruthless Don of the Russian Bratva, reigning over a criminal empire and now, I was a live-in fiancé. I looked down at Aiden's relaxed hand resting on the pillow between us, my lips curving into a smirk as my eyes caught the engagement ring—soon to be a wedding band—gleaming on his palm. Leaning over, I pressed a gentle kiss to his warm forehead, careful not to wake him, before slipping out from under the silk sheets. I pulled on a dark silk robe and walked over to the floor-to-ceiling windows, looking out at the moonlit grounds of our estate. Relinquishing my position as Don hadn’t been an easy legacy to let go of. It