𝐄𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬: 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐎𝐟 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞|𝟏𝟖+

𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬 - 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭#𝟓

"Where did you get those scars?"

Her body froze, eyes rushing toward her body as she quickly covered herself. The sudden fear of getting abandoned or beaten caused her heartbeat to race and her hands to sweat.

She hadn't looked up at him yet as a cool breeze passed through as she wrapped her arms around herself.

"We're going home," Rurik announced finally after he had finished analyzing her and he stood up, leaving the scene. Vera quickly followed after him, grabbing her purse and running out of there.

Will this be the day he kicks me out? He finally saw my scars and he would find them disgusting. What will I do? My father would kill me if I went back. Do I steal money from him so that even if he kicks me out, I'll have something to live by? Or do I beg him to let me stay and I'll be a maid so he doesn't have to tolerate me? Or-

As her mind was foggy with negative thoughts, she suddenly realized that they had reached the car already and Rurik had already settled in. Swiftly opening the door, she sat inside and looked ahead.

As the sun set and dusk fell, the glowing orange and yellow scenery surrounded them. However, the uncomfortable silence shattered the comfortable atmosphere.

Nobody said anything. Not a single ounce of words were spoken. Dreadful silence hung around the car as they traveled back home.

Vera glanced toward Rurik who had his eyes stuck on the road but his knuckles had turned white as he was gripping the steering wheel pretty hard. He was extremely mad.

It seemed like his veins would pop any minute now but what was he thinking?

As soon as they reached the mansion, the doors opened while the car parked and Vera ran out immediately. She didn't let anyone greet her as she promptly made her way inside the elevators, not even letting Rurik in.

Rurik eyed her running in as he controlled his breathing, his eyes descending slowly as frustration etched across his features. Who had hurt her? Why hadn't she replied to me? She looked so scared, is it someone she knows? I have to find out.

Her room finally came into her view and she ran inside, briskly locking the doors and sliding down the door in a panic.

As she sat paralyzed, unsure of whether to bolt from the grand yet eerie mansion, her cheeks were drenched with scorching tears that cascaded down her face like a waterfall. She struggled to suppress her sobs, fearing that any sound might give away her presence and invite Rurik there.

A gentle knock behind her was barely audible, a delicate tap that seemed almost hesitant as if whoever stood outside, didn't want to disturb the tranquility.

She wiped her tears from the back of her hands as she stood up and stared at the closed door for the longest time before another knock sounded, more demanding this time.

"Malysh, it's me. I need you to open the door for me," Rurik's voice rang out with authority, commanding and insistent as his tone echoed through the door. Baby? Why baby?

"N-no, I'm sorry," she quivered, her voice barely audible, as though knowing the consequences of speaking loudly. "I can't."

Rurik's cold, icy heart clenched when he heard her plead as he tried to maintain his composure, sighing, he reached inside his pockets.

The jiggling of keys made her eyes widen as within seconds the door unlocked and Rurik entered inside. He glanced toward a fearful Vera who was frozen with dread and vulnerability while her eyes were glued onto him.

"You don't have to be afraid of me malysh, I will never hurt you," his soft voice was a soothing melody, laced with compassion and genuine concern as he moved closer to her.