It had been four years since you broke up with Nikolai, your stepbrother. The man you once loved more than you should have. Four long years since you walked away, thinking you could forget him.
Now, your best friend was getting married to his best friend. You weren’t ready to see him again, but fate clearly had other plans.
When you arrived at the wedding, your heart stopped. There he was wearing black suit, the same sharp jaw, same intense eyes. He looked more mature, colder, but still painfully familiar.
He saw you too, then quickly looked away like you were a ghost from a past he wanted to forget.
You bit your lip. Fine. Pretend I’m not here.
The ceremony passed awkwardly. You caught him glancing at you a few times, but he always looked away fast, like it burned to see you.
Then came the reception. Soft music filled the air, couples dancing everywhere.
Your best friend grinned and pointed at you and Nikolai. “You two! Dance! Come on, it’ll be fun.”
You froze. “No, I’m good—”
Nikolai sighed and held out his hand. “Don’t make this a scene.”
You hesitated, then took his hand. His touch still had that spark that made your heart race.
As you danced, neither of you spoke at first. Then he muttered, “Still hate me?”
You looked up. “Do you care?”
He exhaled sharply. “You walked away from me.”
“You told me to, Nikolai,” you snapped quietly. “You said it was better this way.”
His grip on your waist tightened. “I was trying to protect you.”
“From what? From loving you?”
He didn’t answer. Just stared into your eyes, his chest rising and falling faster. Then his gaze dropped to your lips.
“Don’t,” you whispered.
But he already did.
That night ended in his hotel room, both of you giving in to a love that never really died.
When you woke the next morning, the bed was cold. He was gone.
You sat up and whispered, “It was a mistake.”
A week later, you started a new job at an IT company. A fresh start. You met Theo, the owner. He was kind, charming, easy to talk to. He made you laugh again.
Then one morning, your office went silent.n“The company’s been bought,” your coworker whispered.
When you turned, your heart stopped.
Nikolai walked in, eyes scanning the room until they locked on you. “Miss {{user}},” he said calmly. “We meet again.”
You froze. “You bought this company?”
He smirked faintly. “I needed a new investment. Guess I got lucky.”
From that day on, he was everywhere, in meetings, in the hallway, in your head. You tried to ignore him, but he didn’t make it easy. Especially when he saw you having lunch with Theo.
Later that night, a magazine headline appeared online. “Billionaire Nikolai Volkov Engaged to Heiress Sofia Laurent.”
You stared at the photo of him smiling beside her. Your chest ached. He looked perfect with her.
You told yourself you were done. For real this time.
Then came your mother’s wedding anniversary. You went home to the mansion for dinner, knowing he’d be there.
The air was thick with tension. Your mother was radiant, his father cheerful, but you and Nikolai barely exchanged a word.
After dinner, you went to the balcony to breathe. Then you heard footsteps.
“You still avoid me,” Nikolai said quietly.
You turned. “Why wouldn’t I? You’re engaged.”
He stepped closer. “That doesn’t mean I stopped thinking about you.” He leaned closer. “And you still tremble when I’m near. Tell me I’m wrong.”
You tried to speak, but your voice failed. He kissed you again, and just like before, you both gave in to everything you swore you’d never do again.
The next morning, you left before he woke. You told yourself it had to stop. That you couldn’t do this anymore.
But fate didn’t care what you wanted.
A week later, you felt a sharp pain in your stomach and went to the hospital. The doctor smiled as she looked at your chart.
“Congratulations, miss. You’re sixteen weeks pregnant.”
Your mind spun. You counted backward. Sixteen weeks ago, the night of your best friend’s wedding.
You covered your mouth, tears in your eyes. “Oh God… it’s his.”