Page 132 of Sinful Betrayal
“Her father used her as a bargaining chip to pay off a debt.”
“Oh, my god,” Nina whispers.
“I tried to help her, but she got caught in the crossfire between her father and the man he’d sold her to. She…she didn’t survive.”
I take a deep breath, closing my eyes for a second.
“Everyone expected me to just get over it, but I was barely twenty, and seeing who you thought was the love of your life be shot right in front of you… That’s not something you just get over.”
“Anton…” Nina reaches up to cup my cheek.
I lean into her, savoring the feel of her warm touch.
“My mother was the only person who could see how truly in love we were. She took it almost as hard as I did, which makes it even harder when she doesn’t remember what happened. I hate lying to her, but there’s no way I’m going to remind her of what happened.”
“I’m sorry that you went through such a loss.” Nina strokes my cheek.
“Everything happens for a reason.”
“Perhaps… But that doesn’t make it any less painful.”
“No, you’re right. But everything has led to this point, and I can honestly say that I’ve never been happier. Which reminds me…”
I reluctantly slide off the bed and reach into my pocket for the ring box.
Nina’s eyes go wide as I sink to one knee and open up the box to reveal the thin gold band with a single teardrop shaped diamond in the center.
“My beautiful Nina, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
“Where… How…” She shakes her head as she stares at the ring.
“I’ve had this in my pocket since the day I asked you about turning the pool house into a ballet studio.” My neck starts burning up. “I knew then that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you.”
“You never mentioned anything…”
“Well, I thought we should at least officially move in together first before I start pulling rings out of my pocket.” I chuckle.
“I never did give you an answer about that.” She bites her lower lip.
“No, you didn’t.” I can’t help but smile as Nina looks at me sheepishly.
“If I say no, do I still get the studio?”
“You want to say no?” My stomach sinks.
Nina’s lips twitch, and I shake my head at her.
“Nina… You are such a tease.”
“I want nothing more than to marry you, Anton Koslov.” She reaches for my hand. “To be your wife, to be the mother of your children… To build alifewith you. I’ve never wanted anything more.”
I bow my head as I let out a sigh of relief, my throat too thick with emotion to offer her any words in return.
Nina sniffs and when I finally lift my head, tears roll down her cheeks, but from the huge smile that spreads across her face, I know they’re happy tears.
“This ring was my mother’s. She gave it to me a long time ago and told me to save it for the love of my life.” I slide the ring onto her finger. “But if you would rather have one of your own, we could choose?—”
Nina leans forward and puts a finger on my lips to silence me.