Gilded in Obsession – Extended Epilogue
Milana
Two months later…
The conversation in Artyom’s study slowly dies down, and I know my brothers are finally done with their meeting.
I’ve been pacing outside the door for over thirty minutes, wearing a hole into the carpet with my nervous steps. My heart won’t stop racing. I can’t keep this inside anymore. I need to tell them. The sooner I get it out, the better.
I’ve had nightmares about this conversation for days. Sleepless nights wondering how they’ll react. But there’s no more putting it off.
The door opens, and Mikhail steps out alone. I’m relieved it’s him first. He’s always been the easier one to talk to. Hot-tempered but quicker to listen than Artyom.
He spots me and raises an eyebrow. “What’s up, kiddo? Why are you lurking out here? Is something wrong?”
I shift my weight from one foot to the other, twisting my fingers together. “Um… can we talk?”
He nods, stepping closer. “Yeah, sure. What’s the problem?”
We move a little further down the hallway, away from the study door. My mouth feels dry. I take a deep breath.
“So… I overheard you and Artyom talking earlier,” I start carefully. “About Adrian’s son Michael trying to get revenge for his father’s death. You were saying you might need to tighten security… maybe even move the women to a safe house if things get bad.”
Mikhail’s brow furrows. “Were you eavesdropping on us?”
“No!” I say quickly. “You were being loud. There’s no way I couldn’t hear you standing right here. If you didn’t want anyone listening, maybe keep your voices down next time.”
He crosses his arms, looking impatient already. “What is it exactly you want?”
I swallow hard, forcing the words out before I lose my nerve. “I was thinking… maybe I could move out.”
He stares at me like I’ve grown a second head. “Move out? Why the hell would you want to move out?”
“Well, since you’re already talking about security and keeping everyone safe… instead of sending me to some safe house, I thought… maybe going away completely would be better. One less person for you to worry about.”
Mikhail’s eyes narrow. “Where is this conversation going?”
I take another deep breath, my hands trembling slightly. “I got an admission offer from the University of Manchester. To study law. I want to take it.”
There’s a heavy silence.
Mikhail’s expression darkens. “What?”
“Before you say no,” I rush out, “just think about it. Leaving for Manchester would help. I’d be far away from all the trouble here in New York, away from whatever Adrian’s son is planning. It would be one less person you have to protect. One less security detail. I’d be safer there, you can send some men there with me.”
He runs a hand through his hair, looking like he’s about two seconds from exploding.
“What the hell are you talking about? Going to Manchester puts you at risk. You’d be across the ocean, away from us, away from protection—”
“Who is going to Manchester?” Artyom’s voice cuts through the hallway, calm and cold.
We both turn around. He’s standing there like he materialized out of thin air. I didn’t even hear the door open.
At this point, we need to tie a bell around his legs because he moves like a freaking ghost. His face is completely expressionless, as always. That’s probably why they call him the Ice King.
He’s looking straight at me.
Mikhail doesn’t miss a beat. “Milana got an admission offer to study law in Manchester. She’s considering taking it.”
Artyom’s expression doesn’t change, but his voice goes flat. “Hell no. There is no way she’s going.”
I step forward quickly. “No, wait, don’t knock it off yet. Just think about it for a second.”
He shakes his head, already turning away. “Manchester is across the ocean. You want to go all the way there while we have a security risk right now? No.”
“That’s exactly why I should go,” I argue, my voice rising. “If I’m in Manchester, no one would even know I’m there.”
Artyom stops, turning back with that icy stare. “Hell to the no. There is no way I’m allowing you to go to Manchester.”
I feel my frustration boil over. “You’re saying ‘allowing’ like I’m still a kid. I’m a freaking adult, Artyom.”
“Adult or not,” he says coldly, “until you’re married, you’re my ward. I decide where you go. You’re not going to Manchester. It’s too much of a security risk. End of discussion.”
He walks away without another word, muttering under his breath in Russian about how the women in this family are going to be the death of him.
I turn to Mikhail, pleading. “Mikhail… can you talk to him? Please?”
He sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’m sorry, kiddo. But no. There’s no way we’re letting you out of New York right now, let alone going all the way to Manchester.”
He walks away too, leaving me standing alone in the hallway.
I feel deflated, like all the air has been punched out of me. But I’m not giving up.
I pull out my phone and open the group chat I share with Calina, Irina, and Kira.
I was hoping not to do this, but unfortunately, my brothers have left me with no choice.
If there is anyone capable of getting through to Mikhail and Artyom, it’s their wives.
My fingers fly across the screen: SOS. I need backup.
And with that I know my mission will be successful.
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