Chapter 10 - The Promise
Roman survived.
The bullet had missed his heart by less than an inch.
For two days, Serena refused to leave his bedside.
Sofia stayed with her.
Their mother watched from the doorway.
The city was changing.
The ledger had not been released.
But copies were already in the hands of investigators.
Viktor was disappearing.
Powerful men were suddenly resigning.
Some were arrested.
Others fled.
Serena cared about none of it.
She cared about the man lying unconscious in front of her.
On the third morning, Roman opened his eyes.
Serena was asleep in the chair beside him.
He moved his fingers.
She woke immediately.
“You're alive.”
Roman smiled weakly.
“I was planning to stay.”
She laughed through tears.
Then she took his hand.
He looked at their fingers.
“No cameras.”
“No guests.”
“No public.”
She tightened her grip.
“I don't care.”
Roman squeezed her hand.
“I've been afraid of loving you.”
Serena's eyes filled.
“I know.”
“I thought if I kept you at a distance, no one could use you against me.”
“And instead?”
“I hurt you myself.”
She leaned closer.
“You don't have to protect me by making me feel alone.”
“I know.”
He kissed her forehead.
For the first time in six years, there was no audience.
No political guests.
No bodyguards.
No rules.
Only them.
Then the door opened.
Sofia entered.
“We found Viktor.”
Roman sat upright.
“Where?”
She placed a photograph on the bed.
A train station.
A man in a gray coat.
“He's leaving tonight.”
Roman looked at Serena.
“I have to go.”
“No.”
“Serena—”
“You nearly died.”
“I won't let him escape.”
She stared at him.
“Then I'm coming.”
Roman wanted to argue.
He didn't.
Instead, he took her hand.
“Stay behind me.”
She smiled faintly.
“Never again.”
At midnight, they arrived at the station.
Viktor was already there.
But he wasn't alone.
A second man stood beside him.
Roman stopped.
Serena looked at the stranger.
Then at Roman.
May you like
Roman whispered one name.
And Serena realized the man beside Viktor was the person she had trusted most...
