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His expression is pure fury. “What the hell were you thinking, putting yourself in front of me like that? Do you think you’re a human shield? Bulletproof? What is wrong with you? Do you want to get yourself killed? Do you not value your own life?”

I stare at him, confused by the intensity of his anger. “Aren’t you supposed to be thanking me?”

“Thanking you for what?”

“For trying to save your life.”

“I don’t need you to save my life,” he snaps. “I think you've got the roles mixed up. It's not your job to protect me. You're overstepping!”

I frown. “What? Should I have allowed you to get hit by the bullet?”

Roman stops talking and wraps his arms tightly around me. In this quiet atmosphere, I finally settle down too.

Chapter 15

Roman

I still can’t believe what just happened.

Every few seconds, I’m back in that ballroom, watching Aurora throw herself in front of me. I hear her scream, Gun, and then the deafening crack of the rifle. I can still see the bullet tearing through the air, missing us by inches.

She wanted to protect me. She was willing to die for me.

The realization settles heavily in my chest, making it difficult to breathe. She wasn’t acting on instinct alone. She genuinely intended to shield me, to take the bullet if it meant I survived. The thought terrifies me more than the assassination attempt itself.

If I had been a second slower, if I hadn’t managed to pull us both down, she would be dead.

I clench my fists until my knuckles ache. We’ve only been married for a few days. Just a few days, and she’s already willing to risk her life for mine.

I can’t understand it. I don’t deserve that kind of loyalty. I don’t deserve someone looking at me and deciding that my life is worth more than theirs.

A wave of nausea rolls through me. I already know what it’s like to fail the people I love. I couldn’t save my parents. I couldn’t save Maxim from being tortured. I refuse to add Aurora’s name to that list.

The SUV finally pulls into the estate. Before the driver has fully stopped, I push the door open and climb out. The family doctor is already waiting near the entrance exactly as I instructed, his medical bag resting at his feet.

I round the vehicle and open Aurora’s door. She looks up at me, her brows knitting together in confusion.

“Roman, I’m fine.”

I don’t answer. Instead, I slip one arm beneath her knees and the other around her back before lifting her into my arms.

She lets out a startled gasp. “What are you doing?” she protests, placing a hand against my chest. “Put me down. I can walk perfectly well.”

“I know.”

“Then why are you carrying me?”

“Because I can.”

She huffs in frustration and tries to wriggle free. “Roman, this is ridiculous. Nothing happened to me.”

She throws me an exasperated look but eventually stops struggling, muttering something under her breath that I wisely choose to ignore.

I carry her through the front doors and into the living room. The moment we reach the sofa, I carefully set her on her feet before helping her sit.

I turn immediately to the doctor. “I want a full examination.”

Aurora groans dramatically. “There is absolutely no need for this. I’m talking. I wasn’t shot. I wasn’t even grazed. This is overkill.”