Nikolai sent Veloura a text telling her to arrive early, then dove into work until seven PM before finally leaving the office.
The venue was a fucking masterpiece. Imported flowers dyed gradient blue–Veloura’s favorite color. A massive crystal glass slipper centerpiece fille with all the gifts he’d picked out for her.
Tonight was supposed to be his grand gesture. His way of telling her he was ready to come home.
He could already picture her face lighting up, probably crying happy tears as she threw herself into his arms.
Time crawled by. Every guest had arrived except the one person who actually mattered.
Nikolai felt his chest tightening with every passing minute. Anxiety and panic were eating him alive.
He called her. No answer.
Called again. Straight to voicemail.
Tried five more times. Nothing.
His texts weren’t even showing as read.
In ten years, Veloura had never done this. She always picked up on the first ring, texted back instantly. She was always there.
Suddenly, all those little signs he’d been ignoring came flooding back. How long had it been since she’d smiled at him? Since she’d reached out first? When was the last time he’d seen any light in her eyes?
She’d literally begged him to let her leave.
The realization hit him like a freight train. His face went deadly pale, then dark as thunder.
Everyone around him could feel the shift. People started backing away, terrified of getting caught in whatever was about to explode.
“Go get my wife,” he ordered through clenched teeth, then took his seat at the head table, staring at the entrance like he could will her to appear.
The entire ballroom went silent. Nobody dared to breathe too loud.
Nikolai pulled up their text thread, scrolling back to their last real conversation. Her begging him to stop chasing Anneliese.
“Nik, please stop pursuing that girl. I’m scared you don’t want me anymore.”
“Am I not good enough for you?”
“You promised you’d never leave me, I don’t want to share you with anyone. Please come home.”
“I’m wearing that nightgown you love, and I learned some new things. Want to come try them?”
Every message was pure desperation. She’d been drowning, reaching for him, and he’d just… ignored her.
His hands started shaking. The anxiety in his chest was spreading like poison,
He looked up just as his assistant walked in alone, face white as a sheet.
4
“Mr. Virellic, she’s not at home. Her documents are missing too,” the man whispered in his ear.
Nikolai forced himself to stay calm, though his voice came out like broken glass. “Clear everyone out. Post guards at the hospital–she won’t leave her brother.”
He bolted from the venue and raced home.
Chapter 8
The penthouse felt like a tomb. The living room was still trashed from his marathon session with Anneliese, and seeing it made his heart seize up.
He tore through every room, looking for any sign of her.
All her stuff was still there. Her clothes, her makeup, every gift he’d ever given her…
Everything except her.
“Baby, where are you hiding? Come out now!” He sent voice message after voice message, his voice getting more desperate each time.
“I’m going to be pissed if you don’t answer me!”
“I told you not to throw tantrums!”
“I’m done playing around with Anneliese. Get your ass home before your brother pays for this!”
He stared at his phone screen, waiting for those little dots that meant she was typing back.
Nothing.
Just his own pathetic voice messages, sitting there unanswered in the silence.
