Her Volkovs #Book 1 novel Chapter 22

Belle's POV

It's almost nine in the evening. I'm glued to my bed and have been bawling my eyes. I tried so hard to recall what happened so I can figure out what went wrong or what I did wrong for Nikolai to do that to me. It was the first time that he was cold and indifferent towards me.

I checked my phone and not a single text or call from him, not even from Alexei. Maybe he's suffocated by me. Maybe he needs time away from me. Soon enough Nikolai will come to his senses and he will come for me. I will not give up on him just yet. I wipe my tears off of my face and drifted off to sleep.

~

The next morning, I still haven't heard from Nikolai. Part of me wishes that Nikolai would just barge in my apartment and destroy my door again just for us to talk.

Suddenly I heard a knock on the door. I suddenly felt hopeful so I quickly opened the door. It's Loraine.

"Hello Belle."

"Hi Loraine."

"I'm here to give this. I was supposed to give this to you the other day but you weren't here." She handed a folded piece of paper and an envelope. We sat on the chairs on my porch.

"Oh, what's this?"

"This is your check for looking over Sawyer and the other one is from Sawyer himself."

"Thank you Loraine, how's Sawyer?"

"He's fine Belle, he already left." My eyes widened in surprise. Sawyer left.

"Where to?"

"To his father in California. He's a cardiologist but he knows people who can help Sawyer. He will be admitted into a facility."

"That's wonderful to hear Loraine!"

"It's all because of you Belle. Since my son met you, he came back to the old Sawyer I know. A fighter. One that never gives up. He thought that his world was over when the doctor said that there's a chance that he can't go back to playing football. One night, out of nowhere, he just told me that he wanted to go back to playing football again." Loraine looked very happy. She held my hand tightly as she spoke.

"No Loraine, I really did nothing. Sawyer already had it in him."

"I'm so sorry Belle, but I have to confess that I read the note Sawyer left for you. I just can't help it, forgive me." Loraine's mother instinct got the best of her and I completely understand that. She has an apologetic yet ecstatic look on her face.

"It's okay Loraine." I gave her a smile.

"I have to go Belle. If you need anything, anything at all, doesn't hesitate to let me know okay?" I nodded at her in response.

I remained in the front porch and read Sawyer's note for me.

Belle,

Thank you for having faith in me. I promise I'll be back without the wheelchair. I'm looking forward to carrying you in my arms while walking, instead of wheeling you the next time you get tired playing baseball with a whole bunch of kids. I'll buy you as many bagels as you want.

Love,

Sawyer.

P.s I don't trust him.

P.s.s I'm just a few digits away.

I place Sawyers note to my heart. At least now I know that I'm not alone. I really wish Sawyer all the best. I know that someday he can go back to playing football.

~

I'm walking back and forth in my room. I called Amy to be online to video chat.

"B!!!!!! What happened to you? You look like you've been crying."

I finally told Amy about me and Nikolai. I can't even count how many times she hurled profanities at me for not telling her earlier but she cried when I told her that I'm finally in love and heartbroken.

I heard Amy but I don't know what to say. My Nikolai and Alexei lied to me.

"B, talk to him."

Amy's right I should talk to Nikolai.

~

I'm already outside my apartment when I saw Nikolai and Alexei on their way out of Nikolai's house. Their men are already waiting beside the two black SUVs. I quickly walked towards them. Alexei saw me first and he immediately called on Nikolai. Nikolai glanced at my direction but he still continued to walk his way towards the car. I quickly stood in front of him. Nikolai's men waited for his next move.

"I want to talk Nikolai." I looked him in his eyes. I cannot see my Nikolai in those eyes.

Suddenly, my heart jumped from my chest when he grabbed my arm and dragged me inside his house. Alexei held Nikolai's arm and said something to him in Russian but Nikolai just looked at Alexei sternly and whisked him off. At this point I can feel my heart beat so fast. This is the first time that Nikolai has treated me like this. I can slowly feel my eyes are being pinched again.

Nikolai then throws me to the wall, it made a thumping sound. This is not my Nikolai. You are not my Nikolai!!!!

"What do you want from me Belle?"

I could not look him in the eyes. I refuse to look him in the eyes.

"Why are you doing this to me Nikolai?"

Nikolai forced me to look at him. He held my chin with his right hand squeezing it tight.

"You don't really get it don't you? I fucking played you Belle! I'm done with you! Do you really think that I'm going to stick around with a girl like you? You were so fucking easy!"

Nikolai's words stabbed through my heart like a knife. Nikolai did not love me. It was just me who created the illusion that he loved me. All the questions that I want to ask him have been answered. He just played me. The women from his party were right. I'm just one of them.

I have nothing else to say. Nikolai has said what I needed to hear.

I ran away from him. I grab the necklace he gave me and I let it run through my fingers down to the ground.