Chapter 14 - THE CHOICE THAT MADE HIM HUMAN
The investigation ended months later.
My father and Mikhail were charged in connection with financial fraud, forged documents, and the illegal use of the shipping consortium.
Several associates cooperated.
The criminal network began collapsing.
Adrian surrendered records concerning his own operations and accepted scrutiny of the businesses he'd controlled.
It cost him influence.
Money.
And the loyalty of men who believed power should never be questioned.
But he continued.
One evening, he found me sitting in the penthouse library.
I was reading my mother's letter again.
He sat beside me.
“Any news?”
I shook my head.
“Nothing certain.”
Investigators had traced several possible identities Sofia might have used.
But no confirmed location.
Adrian nodded.
“We'll keep looking.”
I looked at him.
“You don't have to.”
He smiled faintly.
“I know.”
I swallowed.
For a long moment, neither spoke.
Then I asked, “Why are you doing all this?”
He looked at me.
“Because I love you.”
My heart stopped.
He continued.
“I didn't expect to.”
I smiled through tears.
“Neither did I.”
He reached for my hand.
I let him take it.
Adrian looked at our wedding rings.
“This marriage began as a deal.”
I nodded.
He swallowed.
“I'd like to give you a choice.”
I stared.
“What choice?”
He placed a folder on the table.
Inside were divorce papers.
Already signed.
My breath caught.
Adrian looked at me.
“If you want to leave, you can.”
I stared.
“No conditions?”
“No.”
“No threats?”
“No.”
He smiled sadly.
“You deserve a life you choose.”
I looked at the papers.
Then at him.
For months, I'd believed freedom meant escaping Adrian Volkov.
Now I understood something different.
Freedom meant being able to stay without fear.
I closed the folder.
Then pushed it back.
“I don't want a divorce.”
Adrian went still.
I smiled through tears.
“But I do want another wedding.”
His expression changed.
“A real one?”
I nodded.
“One where I choose the dress.”
He laughed softly.
“And the husband?”
I stepped closer.
May you like
I kissed him.
“Especially the husband.”
