Page 116 of Blood Code

Deep down, I knew Severin was a whore. Changeable. Fickle. Disloyal.

Because why would he ever want to keep me?

A moderately attractive brunette who hated to talk unless it was about computers or missions. A girl with a resting murder face.

Deep down, I knew he wouldn’t want to keep me. That one day he would get bored of me and get rid of me.

Just like he had said.

We were never meant to be.

But I'd forgotten those fears. Because he had made me believe that he loved me. He'd made me believe that I was his sun and he orbited around me. He made me believe he loved me and would do everything in his power to stay with me forever.

He made me believe I was truly his and he was mine.

But it was all a lie, and I should’ve known better.

I wiped away my tears with the back of my hand and walked out into the upstairs hall.

Not a word. Not even a glance in his direction. He'd made himself clear, and I would never beg. Never grovel at a stupid man's feet.

If he didn’t want me.

Fine.

I was no longer valuable to him. Well, he would never have the chance to be valuable to me again.

As I reached the grand staircase leading to the main hall and entryway, I heard heavy footfalls behind me.

“Xeniya, wait,” Severin called after me, his voice rough. “Wait, I was⁠—”

I whirled around. “I don’t care, Severin Volkov. Stay far, far away from me. I never want to see you again either.”

As it turned out, I never would. Not alive, at least. I refused to look back at him. And with my head held high, I gripped the banister and descended the staircase, leaving the grand house behind.

When the grand door clicked shut behind me, I pulled out my phone and texted Severin's uncle, Viktor Volkov.

Me:

I had to leave, but I found what you wanted.

Meet me at the Orpheus.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Severin Volkov

Age 36

Present

Iran a hand through my hair. I was a fucking idiot.

No woman wanted to be called by another woman’s name.

The door on my dry bar creaked as I pulled out the bottle of my best whiskey. From my mini freezer housed in the cabinet beneath the bar, I pulled out a square ice cube and placed it into my glass. The ice made a satisfying popping sound as I poured in the golden liquid.

When I finished preparing my drink, I sank into my office chair.