Bound by lies Trapped by Desire novel Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Elena’s POV:

Nikolai buttoned his lapel with a smooth, practiced motion and strode toward the door. His movements were always so smooth, always composed. as if the world bent to his command without question.

I hurried to follow him, my heels clicking softly against the marble floor. “Where are you going?”

He barely glanced at me as he pressed the elevator button. You wanted to see your mother, didn’t you?”

1 blinked, nodding. “Yes, but- My brows furrowed. “You’re coming with me? Don’t you have work!”

I cast a glance back at his secretary, who immediately looked away as if pretending not to eavesdrop.

Nikolai smirked as the elevator doors slid open. “You know,” he mused, stepping inside and waiting for me to follow, “there’s something my late mother used to say. Family always comes first.

I hesitated before stepping in, standing a careful distance from him.

Family

That word sat uncomfortably in my chest.

Because everyone knew the story of the Vetrov family scandal–how Andrey Vetrov, one of the richest men in Alderidge, had cheated on his wife and brought home a pregnant mistress–Dmitri’s mother. Though that was decades ago.

I gave him a sideways glance, unsure how to respond.

As if sensing my thoughts, he continued, “Not that it helped her much. After all, her choice in men was just as bad as yours.”

My lips twitched. “Well, I’m marrying you now, aren’t tr

He turned his head and gave me a look. The kind that made me feel positively stupid.

“Who said 1 was a good choice?” he murmured.

I grinned. “Do you know how to cook?” I asked, remembering his remarks back at the birthday party.

He raised a brow, clearly surprised by the question. “Of course I do. I’m not incompetent”

“Do you manage your money well!”

He scoffed. “Would I be a billionaire if I didn’t?”

“That doesn’t make you a good man?”

A smirk tugged at the comer of his Lips. “No, it doesn’t”

I huffed, crossing my arms. Well, on the bright side, you’re only going to be my husband for one year, right? So it doesn’t really matter to me whether you’re a good man or not

From the corner of my eye, I saw him tilt his head slightly, his gaze lingering on me for a second longer than necessary

Then he exhaled a quiet, almost amused, “Right”

The Next Few Hours Felt Like a Storm.

Nikolai didn’t talk much. He only did.

His presence alope moved things faster than 1 could have ever imagined.

The medical fees? Paid immediately

The transfer to the most elite hospital in the city? Handled without a single complication.

The moment the new surgeon arrived, he greeted me with a professional nod and a calm reassurance, “Rest assured, Mrs. Vetrov, I will do my very best for your mother.”

Lexhaled slowly, my chest loosening for the first time in what felt like ages.

834PM

Chapter 5

The relief was overwhelming.

Then, as the surgeon disappeared behind the doors of the operating room, something inside

The view was so familiar. One that I had witnessed only a couple days ago,

cracked.

when Dad an

accident. But he never made it out alive.

George Anderson had been a foreigner, a tourist visiting Velhaven City when he met my mother thirteen years ago. And in just a year, they had married.

He was the best father I could have ever asked for.

I had been lucky–so incredibly lucky.

When I was six, I was adopted by Beatrix Kovalyova after years in an orphanage that I barely remembered. My memories of that place had become hazy over time, like a bad dream I had long since tried to forget

But Mom and Dad!

They were my reality. My safe haven.

And now-

Now I was alone.

For the first time in my

y life afte

after six, neither of them were beside me.

The reality of it hit me hard.

I was twenty–five. Not a child. Not young anymore. More than an adult.

But I didn’t feel like one.

I still felt small, still felt like a little girl reaching out for her mother’s hand.

Please be okay, Mom.

I didn’t think I’d survive if she didn’t

I tried to push the thought away, but it settled in my chest like a weight I couldn’t shake.

Then-

A deep voice cut through my spiraling thoughts.

“She’ll be okay. Don’t worry

I blinked, glanding to my side.

Nikolai was sitting next to me, his expression solemn for the first time ever,

I exhaled slowly, straightening my back. “Let’s sign the contract tonight. My voice was quieter than I intended. “We can hold an official wedding later if you want.” After all, I owed it to him after he just paid all the bills.

He nodded, his gaze still fixed ahead. “Alright. That works for me.”

I sighed. “I just need time to ask for a few shifts tomorrow.”

Hh gaze darkened slightly at that

days of extra leave from college. I also need to call my manager and let her know I won’t be covering my

Nikolai leaned back slightly. “Tassumed those debts would be cleared once we’re married.”

1:14 PM

That’s what killed George

A sixty–three–year–old man under that kind of pressure?

“Earth to Elena”

I snapped out of my daze as Nikolai snapped his fingers in front of me,

He frowned TU send the driver to pick you up by seven in the evening

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