BACK IN THE MANSON
The study was in chaos. Viktor stood with his hands braced against the desk, glaring at the guards who shifted nervously under his sharp gaze.
"What do you mean you lost her?" His voice was low, but the venom in it was unmistakeable.
"We tried following her, sir," one of the guards stammered. "But she slipped out of sight. We didn't know how." "You were assigned to protect her, not to lose her!"
Kalix entered the study just in time to catch the last exchange. His brows furrowed, his gaze snapping Viktor. "What's going on?" Viktor exhaled harshly. "I appointed them for sista's security, but they lost her." A muscle ticked in Kalix's, his voice dangerously low, you had one job-to keep her safe, and you are saying you lost her?
"Boss, we-"
"Get out."
The words sliced through the tension. The guards didn't dare hesitate. As the door shut behind, Kalix reached for his phone and dialled her number. The call rang unanswered. He tried again. Nothing. The unanswered calls only fuelled the storm raging within him, Viktor stood nearby, his jaw tight.
Just as he was about to dial her number once again, the door opened.
Zoya walked in.
Kalix froze. Relief washed over him, but it was fleeting. Something was off. Her face was composed, her expression unreadable. The ache in his chest only grew.
"Where were you? Viktor's voice broke the silence, his concern evident. "What were you thinking, disappearing like that?"
Kalix-who had been pacing moments ago-stopped abruptly, his gaze locking onto her.
She walked towards Viktor, handling him a takeaway coffee cups. "I didn't disappear. I went for a meeting, but it got cancelled, she replied smoothly." "Your favourite café was nearby, so I stopped by there,"
"At least you should've informed us," Viktor pressed. "And after what happened with big brother yesterday, you should've been more cautious."
"I wanted to inform," she admitted, "but my phone died, and I needed some air to clear my mind. I hope you understand. That's why as soon as I reached, I came here to inform you."
Before she could say more, Kalix moved. He didn't speak-just closed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a firm embrace. His hold was tight, as if making sure she was really there.
Zoya hesitated for a second before gently pulling away. "I'm tired," she said, glancing at Viktor. I'll be in my room."
She turned to leave, but Kalix wasn't done. His hand caught her wrist, pulling her back-this time, closer. His grip was firm, but his touch careful. One hand settled on her waist, her hands instinctively resting on his chest.
"Don't do this," he murmured, his voice laced with quiet frustration. "Stop making me worry for you." She shifted slightly, trying to step back, but he didn't let her.
"Why aren't you eating?" his voice softened. "Since last night... is it because of me?" Her gaze faltered. Kalix thought it was their fight, but in truth, she was holding back the weight of what she had just learned about Aniket's death.
She swallowed, pulled away without answering, and walked away. Zoya, standing by the door, didn't glance.
She paused just before stepping out and said, her voice quiet but clear, "You both better drink that coffee before it gets cold. I didn't get it just to let it waste."
She didn't wait for reply.
The door clicked shut behind her.
Viktor raised an eyebrow, watching the closed door. "Well... that sounded like concern."
He looked at the coffee in his hand, then untouched second cup.
Without saying anything, Kalix walked over and took the other cup from Viktor's hand.
Viktor smirked, "That's your favourite," he said knowingly.
Kalix nodded slightly, lifting the cup but not drinking it yet. "She remembered."
A beat.
Kalix's jaw tensed. "She didn't even look at me."
"She didn't have to." Viktor's voice softened. "That girl's upset. She's hurting. And after what happened yesterday, she's avoiding everyone." Kalix finally took a sip-"I'll fix it," he said, more to himself than anyone else.
AT NIGHT (IN BEDROOM)
Zoya sat curled up on the edge of the bed, her arms wrapped loosely around her knees as she stared at nothing in particular. Her mind replayed Viktor's words from earlier.
"You know after your fight... he didn't care about anything else. Not the attack, not the hit to reputation. All he did was make sure no one lost their job unfairly. And then, he spent hours arranging employment for the ones affected. Sister... you are his first priority. Even when he doesn't say it right."
She hadn't responded to Viktor then-only nodded slightly, the ache in her chest growing heavier.
A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.
The door creaked open slowly.
Kalix stepped in, a plate of food in hand. His eyes locked on her instantly, and for a moment, he just stood there-taking in her stillness, her silence, the tension in her shoulders.
"I figured you wouldn't eat unless I showed up," he said, trying to keep his tone light.
He knelt down before her, his eyes searching hers. "I know you don't want to talk to me right now," he began, his voice low but firm, "but starving yourself isn't going to make whatever this is... easier."
He gently picked up the spoon, scooping small bite, and held it out.
She didn't move.
"Please," he said, softer this time. "I know you're upset with me... And if this is your way of punishing me-"
He paused trying to keep his voice steady. "Then... okay. Fine. I'll take it. But at least don't hurt yourself." That made her look at him. Barely. But it was enough to notice how his jaw clenched, how his eyes searched hers for something-anything.
"I'm not punishing you," she finally said, voice low.
Kalix swallowed, confused but nodded.
He offered the spoon again, and this time, she took the bite. He watched her with the focus of a man who didn't care about anything else in the world right now. Not business. Not enemies. Just her.
After swallowing, she grabbed his wrist and, without a word, pulled him up to from where he was kneeling on the floor, making him sit beside her on the bed. He didn't resist.
She took another bite, then glanced sideways. "Have you eaten?" his answer was instant. "How can I when you haven't?"
She exhaled sharply-somewhere between frustration and something else she refused to name. without looking at him, she took the spoon from his hand, scooped up some food, and held it up to him.
"Eat."
Kalix blinked, caught off guard. "Zoya-"
"I don't want to deal with a grumpy, starving dumbass tomorrow," she muttered, shoving the spoon closer. "Just eat already."
His lips twitched. "Grumpy, starving dumbass?"
She shot him a glare. Eat before I change my mind."
He held her gaze for a second longer, then leaned in, taking the bite from her hand. She turned away immediately, focusing on her own food like nothing had happened.
Kalix, still chewing, just smiled.
She tried to look away, but her eyes kept flicking back to him-especially when he set the food aside and slowly reached for her hand.
"Zoya..." he whispered, his voice low and uncertain.
She glanced at him, cautious.
Then, without a word, he leaned in and rested his forehead against hers. His eyes shut for a brief second, like he needed that contact to ground himself.
His voice dropped to a whisper. "You can stay mad at me. You can ignore me. But I'd still rather burn by your side than live without you."
He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, then pulled her gently into his chest. Her hands rested lightly against his shirt as his fingers stroked the back of her head.
"You scared the hell out of me today," he murmured, his lips brushing hers hair. "Whatever happens, don't shut me out like that again."
She didn't answer.
"I haven't forgiven you yet," she said finally, her voice muffled against him. "So maintain your distance, Mr. Volkov."
He chuckled, pulled back slightly, his hand cupping her cheek. "Fine. But I'll still love you." She froze. "What?"
"I love you, Zoya."
She blinked, stunned. "Did you just... did you just confess?"
"I did." His tone didn't waver. "And I'm not taking it back."
Zoya stared her mouth parting slightly, caught between speechless and second hand embarrassment.
"Say something," he said, brushing his thumb over her lower lip.
Her jaw dropped. "Get out."
He didn't move, just keep looking at her like she was the only thing that mattered in the world. "You're sending me away after I just confessed?"
Out...
He smirked, clearly amused by her fury. "You'll forgive me eventually."
Saying that, Kalix backed up toward the door, one hand still lingering on her as long as he could. Before stepping out, he turned, gaze intense.
"I'm not done loving you."
Zoya glared at him, heart racing. "I hate you."
Kalix's lips curled into a soft smile. "Love you too, princess."
The door hadn't even fully closed when her voice rang out-
"Jerk!"
He winced... and smiled.
AFTER FEW MINS
Kalix stepped in, leaving the door half-open behind him.
"Zoya?"
Silence.
His eyes darted around the room. The food tray still on the side table. Her phone also on the side table.
Not again, he thought. Not disappearing on me again.
He checked the balcony. Empty. The bathroom. Empty. The hallway. Nothing.
"Zoya?" he called again, louder this time, his voice echoing down the corridor. He didn't care if anyone heard-he needed her to answer.
His fingers curled into fists.
Don't panic. Not yet.
He marched towards her study.
Empty.
Lights off.
His footsteps were louder now. Faster.
Inside Viktor room.
He knocked—no response.
He opened the door.
No signs of her. No signs of Viktor either.
His pulse started to spike.
Viktor's phone sat on the bedstand, next to his wallet.
Both of them gone?
Kalix's throat tightened. He backed out of the room and called out sharply to the guards at the end of the hall.
"Did Zoya leave the mansion?"
The guard blinked. "No, sir. She's still inside."
"And Viktor?"
"Him too." They why couldn't he found them?
His jaw clenched. For a second—just a second—his mind gave in the thought he'd been avoiding:
Did I push her too far? Did the confession scare her off?
He turned back down the corridor.
No. she wouldn't leave without saying anything.
But another voice in his head whispered, she's stubborn, she can do anything.
Every corner he turned and didn't find her, the ache inside cracked wider.
By the time he reached stairs, his breath had shortened, fingers twitching like he needed to punch a wall.
Then—he stopped.
Through the glass window down the hallway, past the soft garden lights—
He saw her.
Sitting by the pool.
Talking to Viktor.
His entire body stilled.
Relief slammed into him like a crashing wave, but it didn't soothe the ache. It only sharpened it.
Because she hadn't left mansion.
She had just left him.
BY THE POOL
Viktor spotted Zoya sitting quietly by the pool, her arms hugging her knees, face unreadable in the dim glow of the lights. He walked over, cautious but concerned, and sat beside her, a careful gap between them.
"You okay?" he asked softly."
She nodded, almost too casually. "Hmm." He tilted his head, watching her for a beat.
"Are things... okay with Kalix? Earlier, you weren't even looking at him. And I thought you started ignoring me too."
She sighed. "Don't talk about that dumbass."
Viktor blinked. "Dumbass?" She leaned her head on her hand. "Hmm. And a jerk too." His brows shot up. "Wow. What did my big brother do to earn both titles?"
She hesitated foe a beat, then muttered, "He... he confessed."
Viktor straightened. "He what?"
Her cheeks flushed with mix of irritation and something else she didn't want to name. "He fed me, kissed my forehead and then said he loves me. That he'd rather burn by my side than live without me." Viktor eyes widened, then he burst out laughing. "He really did that? That's... very Kalix."
Then he said getting little serious, "I know it was casual and unexpected. But I can say, he meant it. He meant every single world and it shows, that he loves you a lot."
She suddenly shot back, again... You say I'm like your sister but you always take his side."
Viktor smirked, amused now. "So that's why I was being ignored." she glared at him. "I hope your future wife is better than you. At least not biased."
Viktor chuckled. "Now how did this turn into my marriage discussion?"
A voice cut from behind.
"Are you getting married, Viktor?"
They both turned. Kalix approached, balancing a tray with three cups of chamomile tea. He handed one to Viktor, another to Zoya, and kept the last for himself before sitting between them-uninvited but somehow exactly where he was meant to be.
"Because apparently Madam Volkov doesn't like, me siding with you, wishing my wife would take her side," Viktor said, sipping his tea.
Kalix glanced sideways at Zoya. "Why do you need someone to take your side against me when I'm already all yours?"
Zoya narrowed her eyes and pointed toward her eyes and pointed toward Viktor. "See? This is what I'm talking about. He's acting like a possessed jerk."
Kalix raised his hands in surrender, but the sheepish smile gave him away. "Only when I think the girl I love ran away because I confessed like an idiot."
Viktor, caught between choking on his tea and laughing, coughed. You're such a loser, bro."
Kalix shrugged, eyes never leaving Zoya. I'm your loser, princess." Zoya groaned. "Someone take this man back to wherever he came from."
Viktor grinned. "Unfortunately, he lives here."
A brief silence hung between them as they sipped their tea.
She avoiding both their eyes, Kalix watching her like she might vanish again, and Viktor pretending the tea was the most fascinating thing in the world.
Then Kalix stood, brushing his hands off. "Let's go."
Zoya didn't even look at him.
Viktor raised a brow. "We're not done talking yet."
Kalix sighed dramatically, then without another word—bent down and lifted Zoya straight off the chair.
Zoya gasped. "Kalix! Put me down!"
Kalix unfazed: "I'm taking my wife. You had your chat, brother."
Zoya: "Kalix Volkov, I swear-if you don't put me down right now, I will punch you." Kalix grinned, walking away as if she weight nothing. "Can't punch me if I never let go. Zoya: "You..."
Kalix: Don't. Just don't.
His voice trembled.
Everyone who saw them on the way—guards, staff—froze. Pretending not to look-but the mused smiles on their faces were impossible to hide.
Kalix (low, almost trembling) : I can't even handle your silence, princess. How do you expect me survive your absence?
She didn't move.
Didn't speak.
Didn't pull away.
But in the quiet, she muttered under her breath—
"Stop calling me princess... I'm not a kid."
It sounded almost childish to him-soft, defensive.
He almost smiled.
Almost.
Kalix (barely above a whisper) Then stop running away from me like one.
He rested her gently on her side of the bed. Brushed a hand across her forehead, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear.
Kalix (softly)
Forget about everything... just sleep.
He stayed for a second, watching her eyes flutter shut. Then slowly laid beside her-close, but not too close.
For the first time all day, the silence between them didn't feel sharp. It was... quiet. Heavy. But safe.
LATER THAT NIGHT
A soft creak.
The balcony door unlatched.
A figure climbed in-quiet, masked.
Footsteps. Closer.
Kalix stirred in his sleep, eyes barely opening.
Too late.
A flash of silver. A sickening sound.
Zoya turned in her sleep—blood. Blood on her hands, on the sheets.
Her heart stopped. "He wasn't moving. There was no rise in his chest. No flicker in his eyes. Just silence... and her world crashing."