ILLICIT DESIRES | 18 +

Chapter 44

THREE WEEKS LATER

RITA

Today, I stand in Court once Again.

But this time, I intend to lose — to ensure his safety. I wait for him, my patience waning. I can't wait to see him, to reassure myself that he is unscathed.

When he finally enters the courtroom, I rise, my gaze locked onto him, yearning. Seeing him here, now, I realize just how much I have missed him.

I bite my lip to stifle a smile, to suppress the joy threatening to escape. It takes all my restraint to stay put. I hardly hold myself back in order not to run to him, to embrace him, to press my lips against his.

Pride swells within me — I have kept him safe. He stands here, whole, flesh and blood. The only marks on him are the wounds he sustained protecting me from his brother.

Yet, as our eyes meet, a pang strikes my heart. His gaze is filled with nothing but hostility. Bitterness. Resentment. His anger is overwhelming, his fury leaving me flinching.

I understand.

He loathes me for reporting him. He feels betrayed. But if faced with the same choice again, I would make it without hesitation. I did it for his own good.

He can despise me all he wants — as long as he is alive.

A sense of relief washes over me. My plan worked. Alessi never reached them while they were in police custody.

And he looks better now. The bruises still mar his face, but they are healing. His broken arm is in a plaster cast, but time will mend it.

I kept him safe.

A faint smile tugs at my lips as I recall that drunken night when he told me he protects his family at all costs. He shielded me from Alessi and his brother, and in doing so, he showed me where I belonged.

He sees me as family. I am his. And he is mine. He is my child's family. And now, it is my turn to protect him as he once protected me.

I will give him the power he needs to keep us safe from Alessi. I am prepared to sacrifice my status in society if it means making him invincible .

My sorrow and longing turn into anger the moment Antonio and his brother step into the courtroom.

I huff, ready to stride toward him, intent on delivering another well-aimed kick to his groin — using Nicolai as an excuse — when the judge enters.

Sighing, I force myself to stay put. I won't risk delaying the trial again. I want Roman free.

"Mr. Jackson, would you like to begin?" the judge inquires, his voice slicing through the thick tension — tension laced with grief, rage, and unspoken words.

"Actually, Mrs. Volkov wishes to deliver the opening statement herself," Mr. Jackson replies, handing me the stage to weave the web of lies that will redeem him — and condemn me.

"Very well," the judge nods, then turns his gaze to me. "Proceed, Mrs. Volkov."

I rise, drawing in a steadying breath before stepping forward.

"Good afternoon, Your Honor. My name is Rita Volkov, and I stand before you today to reveal the truth about what transpired after my husband's tragic death."

I wet my dry lips.

Here we go.

"I was married on March 21st, and that night became my worst nightmare. My husband and I bid farewell to our guests and retreated to our room — where I lost the love of my life."