<b>Chapter </b><b>114 </b>


    Elena’s POW


    That’s what the message said. What the hell?


    Why did he suddenly message that, out of the <b>blue</b>? My head snapped towards therge ss window of the cafeteria, my eyes narrowing as scanned the busy street outside.


    Had his spies already informed him about this impromptu lunch meeting? He knew I was sitting next to <b>a </bwyer? I didn’t know why I was surprised


    though.


    I sighed, forcing a polite smile towards Haruki, whose own expression had shifted to one of mild surprise and perhaps a touch of concern as he subtly nced at Mkai’s phone. “I apologize for that, Haruki. That’s… well, please just forget what you saw. Just tell me the number and I’ll do it”


    He nodded, and recited his phone number, which I quickly punched into my contact list.


    Amy time in the


    “Thank <b>you</b>,” I said, offering a genuine smile. “Please let me know what


    at time would be suitable for you tomorrow” He frowned slightly. <b>“</b><b>Any </b>


    morning will work for me,” he replied as he nodded, his voice steady


    I nodded<b>, </b><b>a </b>sense of urgency now propelling me. “Alright then I reached for my small purse, intending to take out some bis to contribute to the lunch cost, when Mkal spoke, his hand gently resting on my <b>wrist</b>. “Ah, please don’t worry about the bill Elena. It’s on me this time.” I didn’t argue, my <b>mind </b>already racing.


    Inodded my thanks, pulling my purse back, “Alright then Next time, I’ll treat you both… Now,” <b>I </b><b>said</b>, pushing <b>myself </b><b>up </b>from the table. Both men immediately stood as well, a gesture of politeness. We shook hands <b>and </b>I offered a <b>final</b>, hopefully genuine smile. “The food really was good”


    With the pleasantries concluded, I offered a quick nod and left the restaurant, my smile instantly dropping the moment I stepped out onto the sidewalk.


    <b>I </b>looked down at my phone, the unread message from Niki still <b>disyed </b>on the screen. A frown <b>creased </b>my forehead. He was infuriating and utterly impossible. My hand clenched into a fist around my phone. Aber a moment of internal debate, I decided against replying via text. Instead, my thumb hovered over his contact name, and pressed the call button.


    To my surprise, it took him a long time to answer, the phone ringing endlessly in my ear, each unanswered ring amplifying my <b>frustration</b>. Finally, <b>just </b>as i was about to hang up, he picked up, his voice sounding slightly breathless, on the other end. “I wamed you to keep your men away from me, Niki,” I said<b>, </b>my chest tightening with a mixture of anger and at viliar, unwee butter. I needed to sound strong, resolute. If his spies kept following me around like this, it wouldn’t take long for him to notice, to put two and two together and realize I was pregnant. I couldn’t risk him finding out.


    <b>Niki </b>seemed to let out a breathyugh, a low, sardonic sound that sent <b>a </b><b>shiver </b><b>down </b>my spine despite my anger “can’t do that, Malishka Even if you hate me with every fiber of your bring now, your safety is still my priority. Those men are there to protect you, not to spy on you”


    Sure they are


    I clenched my jaw, the endearment grating on my nerves. “I can take care of myself, Niki. I didn’t ask for your protection.” My voice was sharper <b>than </b>


    intended.


    “But I’m still your husband, Elena, it’s my duty” His words, delivered with a surprising sincerity, made my heart skip a beat, <b>a </b>ridiculous, involuntary maction that infuriated me, Butterflies, unwee and entirely inappropriate, swirled in my gut..


    “Didn’t you just see me with awyer?” I retorted, trying to inject a cold finality into my tone. “You should know by now that I’m serious<b>. </b>You won’t be my husband for much longer.” Thated the way it made me feel to say it, the <b>small</b>, lingering ache in my chest


    But then he spoke, his voice dropping to <b>a </b>low, dangerous murmur that sent a shiver of something other than anger down my spine. “Go ahead and try Elena…I went rigid at the tone of his voice.


    It was a tone I hadn’t heard of, a possessive, almost threatening undercurrent that made the hairs on the back of my neck prickle. I brought the phone down in front of me, double–checking the contact name to make sure it was indeed Niki on the other end


    When had he beso… dominant…or arrogant? The only time he had ever truly disyed such amanding personality was in the bedroom,


    12:35 Tue


    Chapler 114


    This new side of him, unveiled over the phone, made me unsure of what to feel. But once again, that didn’t negate the fact that t


    disappear.


    I swear, if you don’t stop stalking me, if you don’t call off your little shadows, I will put a restraining order against you,” Told,


    “<b>You </b>can try, Malishka,” he repeated. Then he added, his voice smooth as velvet but with an undeniable edge of steel’s useless, though. You know my identity.” There was even a hint of amusement in his voice<b>, </b>as if he were actually enjoying this ridiculous power y


    My hand tightened even further around my phone, and i grilled out a response, my own smirk growing <b>as </b>a dangerous ides took root, “And I’m quite sure you know that you aren’t the only one i know with power and money, Nik ? sincerely hope you aren’t forgetting the very person which made you marry me… and then betray me so spectacrly,“finished.


    The line went silent for a long, drawn–out moment, the only sound the faint hiss of static. I heard him take a sharp, indrawn breath, and before he could <b>respond</b>, I pulled my phone away from my ear, not wanting to hear anything else he might have to say. Hopefully, he understood the veiled threat in my


    words.


    <b>Because </b>if push truly came to shove<b>, </b>and if Niki continued to disregard my wishes… at this point…I was genuinely willing to resort to reaching out to Serpei, The thought left a bitter taste in my mouth, but the desperation was real


    I wanted to groan aloud, the weight of the day pressing down on me, but instead, I burned and started walking towards where I had parked the bike.


    I looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings of Maxcester City, Wouldn’t it be more sensible to just stay here overnight and then drive back to Velhaven tomorrow?


    The cost would likely end up being the same if I factored in the six hours worth of petrol for a round trip, not to mention the rent was going to have to pay tomorrow for the bike eitherway.


    The logic was sound. I decided to look for a hotel, a cheap one, after calling Mom <b>and </b>letting her know of my change of ns. She didn’t sound particrly happy about my decision to stay overnight, but to her credit, she didn’t express any outward <b>sadness </b>or try to dissuade me. I was sure she was trying to be amodating, trying to give me the space so clearly needed


    Unfortunately, I wasn’t in <b>any </b>mood to coax or reassure anyone else when my own mind and body felt utterly exhausted.


    It took a while, navigating the unfamiliar streets with my phone as a guide, but I eventually found a hotel that seemed reasonably priced. Once I had marked the location on my map, I made my way over.


    The night passed by agonizingly slowly, filled with fitful sleep punctuated by anxious thoughts as I mentally worked through the endless list of details would have to take care ofter on.


    As soon as the first sliver of dawn broke through the curtains of my cheap hotel room, I made quick work of showering, the lukewarm water barely chasing away the lingering chill in my bones. I put on the same clothes from yesterday, and then, armed with <b>a </b>lukewarm cup of instant coffee from the hotel lobby, made my way to the location that Haruki had given me.


    As soon as Haruki opened the door to the condo, however, six pairs of eyes trained on me. I understood Haruki <b>and </b>the young man, who bore a striking resemnce to him around the eyes, confirming his identity as Shinichiro


    But why was Mkai also here? And… then my eyes once again mes Shinichiro’s, and I realized he wasn’t at all what I had been expecting Based on Haruki’s worried descriptions, had pictured a shy, perhaps slightly nerdy looking small guy<b>, </b>someone easily intimidated.


    But no. The young man standing before me looked older. There was a <b>hint </b>of youthful innocence in his features, yes, but he was surprisingly tall, his build stronger and more athletic than his brother’s. He looked like he worked out often. Andst but certainly not least, his dark were nanowed, fixed on me with an unmistakable re.


    Oh God. A cold knot of premonition lightened ip my stomach. I had <b>a </b>bad feeling that… this wasn’t going to end well at all.