<b>Chapter </b><b>12 </b>


    <b>Elena’s </b>POV:


    My lingers fiddled with the sash tied around my waist, tugging it tighter even though the fabric was already cinched. I hadn’t expected this to feel 10. awkward.


    The room was dimly lit, elegant in a way that screamed rich without trying too hard. One wall was ss, offering a panoramic view of the city. lights twinkling like distant stars. I could see the hospital even from here. Which <b>was </bforting, knowing the fact that he’d brought me to a ce from where I could <b>easily </b>go to mom


    My gaze circled back to him. And his eyes were still on me.


    They didn’t leave me. Not once.


    A strange silence hung between us, like a chord waiting to be struck. My bare feet padded softly across the cool hardwood floor as I walked closer. My heart thumped a little faster, heavier<b>, </b>with every step. I guess I was going to have to do this


    Just as I bemt slightly toward him, my hands reaching for his shoulders, he caught my wrists gently


    “What are you doing?” he asked, voice lower <b>than </b>usual, hesitant,


    I’blinked, caught off guard. “Setting the mood?” I offered, a weak simile tugging at my lips.


    His brows drew together, and he swallowed thickly, like he hadn’t expected that response. There was a pause, long and quiet


    Then he shook his head slowly. “I brought you here to rest, Elena. Not for that. The hospital is just a floor below. You needed somewhere better <b>than </b><b>a </b>stiff waiting room chair.”


    My breath caught.


    Oh.


    Oh.


    My checks med, and I pulled my arms back quickly “Oh right. Sorry, 1 just-


    Before I could finish, he moved. Quick Intentional.


    His hand closed around my wrist again, and in a <b>blink</b><b>, </b>I was spun onto the mattress, my back sinking into the softforter as he hovered over .me, caging me in with those arms, those sharp eyes burning,


    “I didn’t mean to embarrass you, malishka,” he murmured. “If you’re up for th.. I wouldn’t decline.”


    The way he said <b>it </b>made my stomach flip. His face was so close. His breath fanned across my lips, and his scent–warm, woodsy, with a hint of spice -wrapped around me like <b>a </b>second skin. It wasn’t overpowering. No, it was soothing Like the smell of forests.


    But<b>: </b><b>panicked</b><b>. </b>


    “No,” I said quickly, shaking my head. “No, I–actually, you’re right. I’m really tired. I think I’ll just sleep


    Even as I said it, I was painfully aware that i was basically naked underneath this robe,


    I looked anywhere but at <b>him</b><b>, </b>afraid of what my expression might give away. Embarrassment bloomed hot across my chest and up my neck. Seriously, Elena. Dig a hole. Crawl in. Bury yourself.


    <b>Niki </b>didn’t move for a moment, still watching me with that unreadable expression. Then he exhaled slowly and rolled off, sitting up beside me.


    “Fair enough,” he said, tugging the <b>covers </b>up and over both of <b>us</b><b>. </b>He settled down on his side, silent, and for a second, I just stared <b>at </b>the ceiling.


    <b>WIL </b>


    We were sleeping together. Literally. In the same bed.


    My spine stiffened, and I turned away, pulling the nket tighter around myself.


    1 frowned because even though I didn’t want it to, my mind went there.


    I shouldn’t be thinking about this. About him.


    Bui I missed the warmth. Thefort. The mindless security of curling into someone at night. Of being held.


    8:35 PM


    <b>God</b>, I missed Dmitri And 1 hated <b>that </b>I did. Not the Dmitri who betrayed me–no, not the selfish man I saw scrambling on <b>the </b>floor to pull on his pants. But the one who used to wrap his arms around me, kiss the top of my head, and whisper that everything would be okay. The one who used to <b>make </b>me <b>feel </b>like 1 mattered<b>. </b>


    <b>Now </b>I was marrying someone else<b>. </b>Someone I didn’t love,


    Even if it was just a contract marriage. Even if we hadn’t discussed exclusivity. It still felt wrong to think about Dmitri when I now had Niki.


    I didn’t want to be like him. I didn’t want to <b>be </b><b>a </b>cheater.


    So I pushed the memories aside and hugged myself tighter, trying to focus on my breathing


    And then-


    I yelped.


    Warm arms wrapped around me from behind, pulling me back against a solid chest. My heart stuttered.


    “W–What


    “Sorry,” Niki murmured, his voice rough with fatigue. Tm used to hugging a pillow when I sleep. But they don’t have one big enough here.”


    Was he <b>serious</b>!


    I imagined him wrapped around some oversized teddy bear and couldn’t help theugh that slipped out. A real, surprised <b>sound</b><b>. </b>


    “So… you’re using me as a pillow?”


    “Yeah.”


    His reply was <b>so </b>casual, so matter–of–fact, that it caught me off guard again


    I smiled, despite myself. His scent was stupidly pleasant. Pine and earth, clean and grounding. I wanted to lean <b>back </b>into him. Let myself melt. But I didn’t


    <b>Well </b>


    Maybe just a line.


    Eventually, exhaustion took over. I was too tired to care about anything else. The tension in my muscles eased. My thoughts slowed.


    And with the sound of his steady breathing behind me, the warmth of his body pressed into mine. I finally let sleep <b>take </b>me.


    The loud ringing of my phone jerked me awake.


    I groaned, blinking blearily against the early morning light seeping through the curtains. I rolled over, hand reaching for the nightstand.


    But the bed beside me was <b>empty</b><b>. </b>


    For a moment, I froze. Then the memories ofst night came rushing back, flooding my chest with equal parts embarrassment and confusion.


    1 grabbed my plianc


    The hospital.


    <b>I </b>sat up straight


    “Hello?”


    <b>“</b>Miss Kovalyova! Your mother is awake. She’s asking for you


    Relief swept over me like <b>a </b>crashing wave. My heart pounded, and I was already halfway out of bed.


    I scrambled to the vanity, finding my dress fromst night neatlyid out. A handwritten note sat <b>beside </b>it


    “Elena.


    Didn’t want to <b>wake </b>you. You looked like you needed the sleep. Everything at the hospital is handled. Call for breakfast if <b>you </b>want.


    Yours,


    Niki-


    I stared at the note, touched but also weirdly uneasy.


    I had never liked feeling indebted to someone.


    Still, there was no time to dwell.


    I grabbed a water bottle and a protein bar from the minibar and <b>headed </b>to the front desk, intending to pay for them.


    “Everything <b>has </b>been covered by Mr. Vetrov,” the receptionist said politely


    Of course it had.


    1 bit <b>into </b>the bar, already halfway through it. No use arguing now


    “Thank you,” I mumbled, mouth full.


    And then 1 turned and walked out, preparing myself for the storm <b>that </b>was my mother


    Because if I thought surviving heartbreak and marrying a billionaire on contract was hard


    Beatrix Kovalyova’s wrath might <b>actually </b>kill me


    #