Chapter 6.

NORA CARUSO. “I’m giving the family one week! Just one week to think about this, if not you will not like the way I shall react.” With that Nikolai turned and walked out of the house without sparing anyone a glance. The moment the front door slammed, it vibrated up my spine, reminding me of the devastation Nikolai was behind. One week. One week to accept a life sentence with a man who is pure darkness, all because of a single reckless night. I stood there, rooted to the ground of the suddenly suffocating living room, watching the space where Nikolai Volkov had stood moments before. Tears finally breached the dam I’d been trying to hold and tracked paths down my cheeks. My lungs felt starved for air, contracting uselessly against the collective gaze of my family. “Nora, is… is what he said true?” My father’s voice sounded almost unrecognizable. He was looking at me with an expression that wasn't anger yet, but a wounded, horrified disbelief that was far worse. I couldn’t lie. What would