Tempting Sin

Distance

She sat beside the sleeping Chloe and assessed her bruises for the umpteenth time. She had already applied ointment to her cuts, but they were still very prominent. Her gaze traced the fingerprints on her cheeks to her busted lips, guilt surged within her. She had endured a living nightmare. And she was to blame for that.  

The woman didn't bother to wipe away her tears as they trickled freely down her cheeks. She didn't know how she was going to explain everything to her. What would she tell her if she asked her why she was subjected to so much torture? She knew she would, and she dreaded that moment. So much for keeping her distance from her. 

............

The morning sun filtered in through the drapes, dancing behind her lids. Nivi opened her eyes to find herself sleeping against the headboard. She didn't realize when she fell asleep. Her grogginess dissipated immediately when Chloe stirred beside her. 

"Chloe?" she said, wide awake now. Chloe opened her eyes only to shut it back. 

"Shut the drape," she mumbled. Nivi climbed out of the bed and drew the curtain, shrouding the room in darkness. She then turned on the lamplight, casting a soft glow across the room.      

Chloe opened her eyes. 

"How do you feel?" Nivi asked, tracing steps back to her. 

"What's this place?" Chloe asked, scanning the room with confusion. Nivi sat beside her.

"Ummm...you are safe now," she reassured her instead. She didn't know what to answer. Should she call this place her home? But it wasn't her home. 

Chloe sat up with some difficulty. Nivi helped her up. 

Now Chloe looked at her. Her gaze wasn't warm or friendly, but serious and questioning.   

"What are you hiding from me?" she demanded. Nivi exhaled a sigh. 

"I'll tell you everything, but first take a bath and eat," she promised. Chloe didn't debate and decided to do as she said. 

After lunch, Nivi took her to the balcony, believing fresh air would do her good.     

"Wow! Are we in heaven?" Chloe exclaimed, totally mesmerized by the beauty of the estate that seemed to stretch as far as the eye could see. 

Nivi didn't respond. Chloe, now even more suspicious, turned towards her. 

"You just disappeared after moving out, no messages, no calls. And that woman? That bitch kept saying that you will fulfill her dream. What is happening? What are you keeping from me?" she demanded impatiently, feeling utterly lost.  

Nivi looked away from her and fixed her gaze ahead. 

"I married some time ago," she revealed, keeping her gaze on the estate. Chloe was stunned. 

"You what?" she gasped in disbelief. Her eyes snapped to her wedding finger, only to expand wider in response as she saw a diamond ring sparkling there. 

"Who is it? Do I know him?" she questioned. Nivi blinked back her tears. 

"I am married to Sin Volkov," she tried her best not to let her emotion cloud her voice. 

"Who Sin Volkov?" Chloe asked, narrowing her eyes in confusion. She knew only one Sin Volkov and he was the owner of Volkov Groups. Certainly, she didn't mean him. 

"The owner of Volkov Groups," Nivi responded.

Chloe drew a blank. She took a good moment to process the information. 

"Hold on," she leaned against the railing, struggling to make sense of what she just heard.

"Sin Volkov as in SIN VOLKOV?" her voice rose an octave as she spoke the last part. Nivi nodded.