Belle's POV

I removed my lips from his, "Let go of me Artan." I said, as I try to push him. I actually hate myself for even feeling comfortable in his arms. He makes me feel like no one can ever hurt me when I'm with him and I hate every moment of it.

This man was the one who sent those pictures to Nikolai. The very reason why Nikolai was drowned in jealousy half the time that we were together. Those pictures convinced him that Artan and I are having an affair.

"I will never do that." He said while holding me around my back tightly and placing his palm on the back of my ear.

"Let go of me Artan! I don't want to see you ever again!"

"We need you. Aria and I need you baby. Please don't do this."

I wipe the tears that are slowly forming in my eyes. My pregnant hormones are not helping my cause at this time.

Artan took a white handkerchief from his pocket and wipes it on my eyes and face gently.

"Don't cry my Belle. Okay, I promise not to come near you nor bother you. I will just be around. Ill be looking after you from afar. Ill be there whenever you need me baby."

His grip slightly loosens so I took the chance and quickly turn my back on him. I went out of his office and immediately saw Amy and Dylan outside the door.

They all looked at me including Artan's other men the moment I went out of the door. I went past them and went straight to the elevator.

"B. What happened?" Amy asked while she and Dylan are following me.

"Do you still want to go on a vacation?" I said as I punch the button for the ground floor.

"Sure, but why so sudden?"

"I need to think."

"Think of what? What happened inside with Artan?"

"I hate him."

"Uhm..Okay...but that doesn't answer my question."

I remained silent and tried to ignore her question by tapping my phone aimlessly.

"B, what happ...."

"Enough! I'm so tired of you prying into my life A! You are making decisions for me without even thinking of the consequences! For once A, let me be!"

Amy looked surprised of my sudden outburst. I squeezed my palm as I struggle to hold back my anger. Dylan just remains silent and did not dare butt in.

Amy gazed away from me and looked straight ahead while the elevator descends. We remained indifferent to each other on the way home inside Dylan's car. Amy sat at the front passenger seat while I sat at the back.

"Hey, what do you want for dinner Ames? How about you Belle?" Said Dylan as he attempts to break the ice.

I just looked outside and did not bother answer Dylan.

"That's right brother, ask her so that you won't get accused of making decisions for her and prying into her life. I mean, she can clearly decide for herself. Look at her, she's pregnant and the father of the baby is a cheat. She clearly decided for herself successfully."

Amy's words hit me straight to the gut. I placed my palms on top of my thigh and fisted my hands as I struggle to hold back my tears. Sadly, the people you love the most are the people who can hurt you the most. Nikolai, Alexei, and now Amy have proven that to be true.

I looked outside and blinked a couple of times to prevent myself from crying again. I did not justify my bestfriend's words with an answer. I chose to shut my mouth.

I caught Dylan's eyes from the rear view mirror but I instantly looked away. Pitty is the last thing that I need right now.

~

When we arrived home, Amy went straight to her room and did not say a single word again. I stayed at Dylan's room and lie on his bed as he takes a shower and prepare to go back to work for Artan.

Moments later, he went out of the shower with only a towel on. His perfectly ripped body showed as he puts on his shirt. He went inside his closet and when he got out, he is already sporting his usual bad boy look.

"Belle, are you sure you're okay? You know Ames did not mean what she said."

I forced a smile to assure Dylan that everything is alright. Truth be told, everything is not alright. Everything is a mess.

He sat beside me in bed and leaned forward to kiss me on my forehead. "You need to rest. Call me anytime you wish okay?"

"Okay Dy." I forced another smile while reaching for his arm. He smiled back at me and then planted a kiss on my left cheek before he left.

I took a shower and wore Dylan's grey tee and pants. Amy's clothes will not fit me so I don't really have that much choice. Nikolai and Alexei did not deliver my stuffs until now. They can throw it all away, for all I care. I just wish that they take care of Goatie. I can just imagine what Nikolai is doing to that poor little thing.

Few minutes past, I made sure that Dylan has left before going inside my bestfriend's room. She's on her side and I think she fell asleep. My poor bestfriend must be really tired. She's practically doing all the work just to make sure that I am doing fine but I have become an ungrateful bitch.

I sat beside her, leaned forward and kissed her on her forehead, then her nose and lastly on her lips.

"I'm sorry A. You are an overprotective psycho, and I love you exactly the way you are." I wisphered.

~

A's POV

"Gone? What do you mean gone?" Asked my brother.

"She left! She's not in your room or anywhere in the house."

"Did you try calling her?"

"She left her phone in your bedroom brother."

"Maybe she just went for a walk."

"No. I don't think so. Just look for her please!"

I should have known that she will do this. She thought I was asleep but I wasnt. I almost choked to death while I'm holding back my tears. I have overstepped the line when I said that to her, but she was still the first one to come to me and apologize.

It broke my heart while she was kissing me and telling me that she loves me. I am her bestfriend, and of all the people in this world, I should be the one who understands and have longer patience with her. God! I shouldn't have snapped on her when she snapped on me. She's pregnant for goodness sakes! How come I only realize this now? Ughhh!

"Ames, what are you doing?"

"Slamming my head on the wall because I deserve this."

"Okay, listen to me. Do you think that hitting your head to the wall will help find her?"

"No, but it would make me feel better."

"No, it will make you feel pain later. You have to be a hundred percent if you want to find her."

"Then lets find her now! I'm going to call the police."

"Ames, the police will not help you. You have to wait for 24 hours."

"What kind of a stupid rule is that?" I took a deep breath and sigh in frustration. "Fine! I am going to let Artan, Nikolai and Alexei know."

"Amylinda, do you want me to repeat what Belle said yesterday?"

"I am her bestfriend! It's my job to pry and meddle into her life especially now that she needs me....You know what Dylan? Never mind! Help me, don't help me, I don't care! I'm going to find her on my own!"

I tapped my phone to end the call because I have already ran out of patience. My brother thinks that B just simply went out for a walk or something, but my intuition is telling me otherwise. She needs me and I'm going to find her.

~

Belle's POV

I'm sitting at the left most part of one of the long wooden chairs at St. Mary's chapel. I'm right next to the isle at the center most part of this simple yet beautifully ornamented holy place. The sun illuminates through the stained glass on the background of the wooden cross as different colors reach down the floor.

I sat still and reflect upon what has been happening to me. As time passes by, the pain in my heart just keeps on getting worse. I honestly don't know what to do next.

I just found out that I got fired from St. Mary's School for Special Children. Apparently, Nikolai was the one who had me fired. I then recalled that time when he fetch me here before our rendezvous at the warehouse. That was the time when he instructed something to Dr. Thomas. When I asked him about it, he just brushed off my inquiry. I'm still trying to figure out why did he have to do this. But then again, he is Nikolai. The Russian Mafia Boss. He does as he pleases.

I did not insist on Dr. Thomas anymore. I know that Nikolai did not give him that much choice. He is the biggest benefactor of St. Mary's School, he can do whatever he wants in this school, even have his own ex fiance' fired. To be perfectly honest, I'd rather that I get fired than Nikolai pulling off his donations.

I bade goodbye to my kids without them knowing that I am leaving for good. My already broken heart was crushed into tiny pieces as I kiss them one by one. It's the end of summer which means school has yet to officially begin. So I visited them in their respective dorm rooms. The smiles on their faces when they saw me were priceless.

Sylvester was the hardest one to bid goodbye to. He was clinging on to my waist while saying that he loves me and that he misses me so much. It took so much strength from my heart to hold back the tears that were already threatening to fall. Plus my pregnant hormones are all over the place. I was basically a ball of sob and tears in the inside.

A snort of disbelief escaped my mouth. Even when we're apart, Nikolai still manages to hurt me, over and over again. This baby is a constant reminder that no matter what I do and no matter how hard I try to move on, his own flesh and blood will stay inside me and with me for the rest of my life.

I flinched the moment I felt someone sat beside me. Oh my god.

My reflexes instantly pushed me to stand from my seat but someone pulled me right back and made me sit on his lap.

It's Nikolai.

The man who broke my heart into pieces. The man who ruined my very being. The father of my baby.

In an instant, his overwhelming presence took over my now weak body. I wanted to scream and tell him how much I hate him for causing me so much pain but no words came out of my mouth.

He took my wrists and palmed them with his one hand while his other arm is wrapped around me. I attempted to stand but he did not let go of me. Instead what he did next affected me so much, that I gave in to what my heart is telling me to do. Stay.

Nikolai rested his head on my chest and slowly closed his eyes. His breathing became calmer by the second but his grip remained tight, "I died the moment you left baby. You took everything with you along with my heart and the air that I was breathing."

I swallow the lump in my throat as Nikolai makes known what he feels. He then lets go of my hands and completely envelopes me in his arms.

At this point, I did not know what to do and how to react. I am confused in the truest sense of the word. Why am I feeling like this? And why is Nikolai doing this?

"Three seconds.....just three seconds more baby...." He said as he completely buries his face on my neck and then down my breasts. I can already feel his breathing and the roughness of his thin beard touching my skin.

I remained still on Nikolai's lap. I looked up to where the sun illuminates. I took a breath and sigh in defeat. I am still in love with this man.

"My little one, this is your Pa. His name is Nikolai Vyacheslav Volkov. Yes..... you are a Volkov, my baby. You are a Vyacheslav like your grandpa and your aunt Yelena."

"I'm sorry....Ma is sorry for doing this to you."

I wipe the tears that are now falling down my face. At this point I don't know if keeping my pregnancy from Nikolai is still a good idea. Maybe A is right. Nikolai has the right to know.

But the memory of his betrayal comes right back. That exact moment flashed in front of my eyes like a nightmare that haunts the deepest part of my soul.

I looked down at Nikolai's face and realize that he is actually resting like a baby. He looked so peaceful and quiet. Just like those times when we were still together. His usual serious and don't fuck with me look disappears the moment he comes home and rests his body on mine. It's like he is a different person when we are together. When he's with me, he is not the all powerful Russian Mafia Boss. He's just my Nikolai. The love of my life.

Moments have past and his three seconds became a minute and then a few more.

"Nikolai..." I said as I try to get his attention.

He moved a little and I thought that he was going to let go but he pulled me even tighter, I feel like I am going to suffocate.

"Nikolai, I can't breathe."

"Me too." He retorted.

A naughty smile formed on his face while his eyes are shut, "Your breasts are so fine. I want you to smother me with these as my death wish."

My lips parted in disbelief. In an instant, I landed a slap on his face it echoed all over the church.

♥♥♥ meanwhile ♥♥♥

(Alexei, Yuri, Boris, and Dimitri are just outside the door of the church when they heard a loud slapping sound. Their hands are inside their pockets while waiting)

Alexei: Aaaaaaand....that gentlemen was the queen's hand on the Boss' face.

Dimitri: Well, somebody's gonna go out of that door with a handprint on the face.

Yuri and Boris lips pulled to the side in amusement.

The four snorted in unison.

♥♥♥♥

Unbelievable!!!!

I quickly stood up and walked as fast as I can out of St. Mary's Church. I can feel that Nikolai is closing in on me so I almost ran out of the door.

"Baby, let's talk. Don't do this. No matter where you go and what you do, I'm going to find you."

I'm already fisting my palms in anger. I can't believe I allowed him to do this to me! Ughh! How can I be so stupid!

My eyes widened in horror when I saw Alexei and Dimitri outside. Alexei caught me at the exact moment that I stepped out of the church.

He grunts while placing me on his shoulder like a sack of flour. And then, my ass came flying in the air. Oh my god! I cant believe their doing this to me again!

"Alexei! Put me down at once!"

"I miss you too princess."

"Well I don't! Not at all. Not a single chance. Now put me down!"

"Your bestfriend called us and she said that you went missing. We thought, where in this world can we find an angel. Where else? In a motherfucking church. That, and Dr. Thomas called to say that you're here."

Missing? Oh my gosh A!!!! Cant I just go out on my own? Why does the people around me always assume that I am lost and needed help!?

"I hate your mouth Alexei!" Wow, way to go Belle.

"We'll see about that later." Alexei retorted.

Yuri opened the door of the Black SUV. Alexei placed me inside then scooted over to my side. Nikolai instantly went in and then the two SUV's were off to god knows where.

I intertwined my arms in front of me and just looked straight ahead. My stupid tears are forming in my eyes again and I hate it so much.

Did these two forgot the fact that they cheated on me? It's unbelievable how they act like nothing has happened.

"I want to go home!"

"Okay. We will go home." Said Nikolai.

I instantly interrupted him. "My home is at Dylan's. The two of you should go back to where that woman is. Don't do to her what you did to me."

"Is it true that you slept with the Albanian?" Said Nikolai while adjusting his jaw.

I am actually not surprised by this. Nikolai has a vast network, not to mention the kind of power he holds in the underground criminal world. He is perfectly capable of knowing practically everything.

"What I do with my life is none of your business Nikolai."

"So it's true...."

"Again, none of your business."

Nikolai taps his phone and talked to someone, "Do it, and make sure you deliver my message clearly to that bastard."

My heart instantly jumped from my chest. "What did you do Nikolai?"

"Nobody fucks with me and will just simply get away with it Belle."

"No!!! Stop! Call whoever that is and make him stop!"

I will never forgive myself if anything happens to Artan because of me. What will happen to Aria if something happens to him? Artan is the only one left for her.

At this point, my heart is already pounding very hard. I very well know Nikolai and he is a violent man. He is perfectly capable of destroying whoever gets in his way.

"Nothing happened. Artan and I slept together but nothing happened. Now call whoever that is and make him stop!"

"Why did you have to sleep with him? You left me so that you and that Bastard can .... what? Enjoy each other's company? Do you really think that I am that stupid Belle?"

"Why is this my fault now? You cheated on me Nikolai! Both of you cheated on me!"

"You never gave me the chance to explain."

"I saw you with that woman. You ousted me from the house because of her. You both lied to me over and over again. That is more than an explanation."

"What did you see Belle? Tell me."

I took a deep breath and went silent.

"Did you see me wrap my arm around her? Did you see me kiss her just like what you and that bastard were doing in those pictures?"

Oh my god. How many times will this man bring up what happened in those pictures? This is becoming ridiculous already.

"I am done telling you the truth Nikolai. I was faithful to the both of you since the beginning. It's up to you if you don't want to believe me. Why are you even coming for me if you are so convinced that Artan and I are having a relationship?"

Without hesitation, Nikolai answered, "Because I love you. And you are going to be my wife whether you approve of it or not. End of."