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He closes his eyes like the words cut and soothe him all at once.
The wind rattles the trees outside. A bird calls faintly somewhere in the distance. The world keeps spinning. But in this car, in this moment, we are weightless.
“You didn’t ruin me,” I say quietly.
He opens his eyes.
“You gave me something worth fighting for.”
He exhales shakily. “I’m not going anywhere.”
I nod.
“Then let’s build something neither of us ever had.”
His gaze burns into mine. “A family of our own.”
“A future,” I whisper.
And then, slowly, he leans in and kisses me. The kind of kiss that says we made it.
37
Alina
With each step I take, the world gently fades away, as I'm lovingly guided by Lev’s strong and steady hand, a soft silk blindfold resting over my eyes.
"Are we close?" I whisper, laughing nervously, eager to peek.
He squeezes my fingers. "Almost there,kotyonok.Just trust me a little longer."
Absolutely! I trust him more than anyone else. Even so, I can't help but feel my stomach flutter with nervous excitement. The cool breeze gently wraps around my shoulders, bringing with it the delightful scents of pine, lake water, and a hint of something sweet that I can’t quite name—perhaps it's the essence offreedom. The freedom to finally love him without hiding behind a mask.
He finally stops, and I feel his fingers brush against the knot at the back of my head. "Are you ready?"
“Yes.”
The blindfold slips away, and I forget how to breathe because this place is unreal.
The cabin is tucked between tall evergreens and set just above the edge of a glittering lake. It looks like something plucked from a luxury travel magazine and kissed by a fairytale. The structure itself is glass and cedar, all clean lines and earthy tones, with a private dock stretching into the mirror-still water.
The sky overhead is endless—cloudless and pale blue, with soft sun glinting off the lake. Everything smells clean, quiet, and untouched.
I spin slowly in place, lips parted, eyes wide. “It’s beautiful…” I breathe. “ I’m in love with this place.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
“I don’t just like it,” I say, turning to face him fully. “I love it.”
And then the awe is chased by something more human. I bite my lip. My brows pull together as I glance between him and the luxury surrounding us.
“Lev… how can you afford to bring us to a place like this?” I ask softly. “I don’t want you to go broke trying to impress me. I’m not that girl. I’d sleep in a tent with you and be happy.”
He just stares at me for a second, then laughs—a deep, rich sound that dances through the trees.
“Do you think I’m poor,kotyonok?”
I blink. “I didn’t mean it like that—I”
