Chapter 31

Chapter

Thirty-One

"Never close your lips to those whom you have already opened your heart."

― Charles Dickens

Caia

I counted the pills and made sure not to forget the box of strawberry milk we always bring for patients with more than three pills—it helps them take their meds more easily.

Heading over to room 174, I knocked softly on the door and found my patient snoozing. Checking my watch, it was 3:45 PM. Mister Vienov usually didn't nap at this time.

Still, I walked to his bedside to check the monitor readings. Once I confirmed everything was fine, I planned to head back to the nurses' station. I mentally noted to wake him up in fifteen minutes for his meds.

"Back already?" Valeria asked, pouring herself a cup of hot black coffee.

"Yep. He's sleeping. Gosh, I wish I could sneak in a nap too," I yawned. "I'm exhausted."

She chuckled, bringing her cup to her lips, her eyes twinkling mischievously, never leaving mine.

I arched an eyebrow. "What?"

"Exhausted from all the steamy sex with your drop-dead-gorgeous hubby?" she teased, a playful smirk on her lips.

A blush crept onto my cheeks as I shook my head vigorously. "I'm not... having sex with him, Valeria!"

She rolled her eyes dramatically.

"I swear! I don't... want him! I don't care about him! You're the only one who thinks he's attractive, by the way. I?—"

Her eyes widened as she peered behind me. "Oh, hi, Alexsei!"

I spun around so fast I dropped the file I was holding, my heart racing with excitement. But to my disappointment, there was nothing there.

"You don't care about him, huh? Little liar!" she chuckled, pointing an accusing finger.

As I scrambled to pick up the fallen file, Valeria couldn't contain her laughter, her shoulders shaking with mirth.

"Okay, okay, maybe I care... a little," I muttered.

Valeria smirked triumphantly. "Aha! I knew it!"

I shook my head tiredly and followed her to her office. Flopping onto the small brown leather sofa in the corner, I closed my eyes, knowing that if I stayed like this, I'd drift off to dreamland. But getting up again seemed like too much effort.

"How are you, Caia? Like, really?" she asked, breaking the silence.

I shrugged, stifling a yawn. My eyelids felt like lead weights. "I'm... alright," I whispered.

Her fingers danced across the keyboard, the rhythmic tapping oddly soothing, lulling me into a drowsy state. Just as I was about to succumb, the typing abruptly stopped.

"Don't fall asleep. You've got to give your patient in room 174 his pills and help him with his shower," she reminded me.

I chuckled, pushing myself up from the sofa and stretching, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Thanks for the heads-up, boss."

The corner of her lips lifted as she slipped on her glasses and sifted through various files. "Surprised your hubby let you work today."

I let out an exasperated groan. "Stop calling him that!"

With a casual shrug, she quickly signed a document and stamped it. "So, what's going on?"

"Nothing much," I sighed, feeling the weight of the world settling on my shoulders. "I just told him about... Sadiek and everything else."

Valeria paused her task, removing her glasses. "Oh, honey," she whispered, rising from her chair to sit beside me. She enveloped me in a comforting hug.

"I'm okay, Valeria. Really?—"

"Shut up, just let me hug you for a bit."

I chuckled softly, drawing her closer for a moment before she planted a tender kiss on my cheek and released me.

"Tell me everything," she urged gently.

"Last night, we went to a gala for orphans, and Sadiek was there. He acted like he didn't recognize me, but just seeing his face and hearing his voice made me panic. It felt like my whole body shut down. I ran outside to the back garden and ended up wandering through a maze. Eventually, I found a secluded spot with a bench and sat there in the cold, trying to gather the courage to go back inside. That's when Alexsei came looking for me and found me there. "

"Do you think... he arranged for you to meet Sadiek on purpose?" Valeria asked, concern and sadness in her eyes.

I shook my head. "No. Not at all. Alexsei had no idea about... my past."

At first, I thought he might have set it all up to hurt me, but seeing the fury in his eyes this morning, the tension in his fists, and the rigidity of his shoulders made me realize he was completely unaware of my past. His anger seemed genuine and raw.

After I cried in his arms and he stroked my back to calm me down, he kissed me softly and told me to get ready and take a long warm shower. And that's exactly what I did. The warm water felt like it was washing away everything that had happened.

Dressed in simple black jeans and a cropped black knitted jumpsuit, I made my way to the kitchen, only to find it empty. But next to a glass of orange juice, a cup of warm lemon tea, and a plate of scrambled eggs with two pieces of toasted and buttered sourdough bread, there was a small note.

Igor needs me at the Manor.

Spend the day with Valeria if you want but don't forget your phone.

Don't wait for me tonight.

I wouldn't deny feeling a pang of disappointment. Insecurity gnawed at my chest, but I brushed it off and started eating my breakfast, the sour taste lingering in my mouth amid the deafening silence.

Maybe he needed some time to think… away from me.

With a heavy sigh, I continued, "I guess we'll need to talk the next time we see each other. "

Valeria raised an eyebrow, curious. "What do you mean?"

I glanced at my phone and saw it was time to check on my patient and wake him from his nap.

"We need to talk about divorce, Valeria," I said, heading towards the door. "This marriage is pointless, and I'm sure if the Silas find out my father sold me—multiple times—for a few measly dollars, they'll force Alexsei to sever ties with me to avoid any disgrace."

She stood up from the sofa, her arms crossed. "Don't say that! There's nothing to be ashamed of, and you're not bringing shame to anyone, honey. You've been through so much, Caia. Please, be kinder to yourself."

As I took in Valeria's comforting words, my phone chimed with a notification.

Curious, I glanced at the screen and saw a message from Alexsei. With a mix of excitement and anxiety, I tapped the message, unsure of what to expect.

Lucifer:

Check the news.

Perplexed, I nudged Valeria to turn on her small TV, our curiosity buzzing in the air. With bated breath, we both settled into our seats as she grabbed the remote. With a click, the screen sprang to life, casting an eerie glow across the room as the news broadcast started.

" In a shocking turn of events, billionaire Klark Polanski, CEO and COO of Zhit, the multi-million-dollar company specializing in vitamins and wellness supplements, was discovered dead in his office this morning. His hands severed and his tongue removed, the gruesome scene has left investigators baffled. Preliminary reports suggest that he died due to massive blood loss through his severed hands, adding a sinister layer to this already chilling mystery. The Police Department has launched… "

"Holly crap," Valeria breathed out, her eyes meeting mine in shock.

Klark Polanski was dead. I could hardly believe it.

"Do you think..." Valeria's voice trailed off.

I nodded slowly. "He texted me and told me to check the news."

Alexsei Romaniev had just killed a man. A man who had paid my father to grope me.

My husband had just killed for me .

"You'd better give that man a seriously hot kiss tonight," Valeria joked, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

I rolled my eyes, unable to stifle a chuckle, and left the room to wake up my patient. Despite myself, a small smile crept onto my lips.

Oh, Alexsei, what am I going to do with you?