Her Volkovs #Book 4
Chapter 31

Belle's POV

"Tell me. Do you love me Yuri?" I ask, looking into his eyes.

At this point, I know that I am the only one who can change his mind. He is leaving the Mafia for the wrong reason. He was willing to fake his engagement with Tatyana just so he can face the consequences of his mistake. There are some things that still don't make sense to me but at this moment the most important thing is that I do something to prevent him from leaving.

"Yuri, if you love me, why do you have to leave? You don't have to do this. I know the truth about Tatyana. Stay with us. We are your family."

He connected his gaze on me, looking at me intently as if he wants to say something. "Ya lyublyu tebya Belle. Forgive me."

He then looked away and spoke in Russian towards Nikolai and Alexei. I instantly panicked as I am now in the blind. So I clung on to Yuri even tighter as I am determined not to let him go. He is making a mistake and I am not about to let him live that mistake.

"No! Yuri, I want you to stay." I begged as I am already panicking.

The next thing I knew his hand was unshackled from on top of the table by Boris and the melting device was put away. I looked around just to make sure that everything is in the clear. I felt relieved as Nikolai's men stood down and away from the table.

I then gently wipe Yuri's sweaty and bloody face using the white towel and made sure that I do not touch his wounds.

"Madame, I'm okay." Said Yuri, holding my hand and then placing it on his chest.

"You're not leaving anymore?" I asked.

"No, I am not leaving the Mafia."

I wasn't able to help myself and so I hugged him tightly. The man instantly winced in pain but still he had a small smile on his face. I told him to sit still as we are going to take him to the clinic. But then when I am about to get up, his arms wrapped around my waist tightly as if he doesn't want to let me go. I feel like he wants to tell me something but opted not to say it. Slowly, he tilted his head and rested his beautiful face on my cheek. He must be tired and hurting.

Why does Yuri have to go through this? If only I could turn back time, perhaps I could have been indifferent to him or go as far as to be a bitch to him so that he would not think that he is in love with me --- if only it's as simple as this.

I know more than anyone in this room, Nikolai and Alexei had a final say in this so I went to thank them. I told them what I found out about Yuri and Tatyana and that they did the right thing in stopping the burning of the wolf on Yuri. The man is not in a relationship with anyone and that he is not getting married so there is no reason for him to leave the mansion anymore. He is still part of the Russian Mafia. However, the other Volkov brother looks like he is not having it. As between him and Nikolai, it is Alexei who had bad blood against Yuri because he once thought that he was being replaced by the man. He even threatened to kill him. I completely understand Alexei but there is really nothing that he should be jealous about. Nothing and no one can ever replace him and his brother in my life. That is the absolute truth.

I wrapped my arms around his waist and rested my head on his chest, "Alexei I just don't want Yuri to make the wrong decision. He will be in danger when he leaves the Mafia. You know that." "You always care for everything and everyone." He retorted.

"Is that a bad thing?" I looked up at him but the man just looks straight ahead, being stubborn. I held his chin to look me in the eyes. He took a deep breath as if giving up.

"Yes because you will get hurt. You cannot save everyone around you Belle. There are a lot of things in this world that are out of your control no matter what you do. It's not going to come your way all the time.' He replied.

He is right. There are things that are beyond my control. But that doesn't mean that I stop caring just because things will not go my way. I will still try.

"Can we take Yuri to the clinic now please Alexei?"

He looked towards Nikolai's direction. I know he wants his brother to agree first so I grab Nikolai's hand to come huddle with us.

"Nikolai, please?" He looked at his brother for a moment before nodding at him. My husband then held my hand leading our way out of the boathouse. "Thank you Nikolai. We should take Yuri to Dr. Marcus now."

The moment the door was shut from behind us; Nikolai instantly made me face him, took a hanky from his chest pocket and handed it to Dimitri. He then wrapped his arm around me, while Dimi covered my ears tightly using their hankies. What is going on?

At this point, my heart started to bang in my chest. I feel like everything turned slow motion. I tried to move so I can run back inside the boathouse but Nikolai held me tight. My lips parted in disbelief when I heard the muffled sound of successive groans.

My knees weakened as I hear the pain of torture and betrayal. I looked up at Nikolai, tears swelling in my eyes. "Why? Why, Nikolai?" I asked, almost begging. I hit his chest again and again as I cannot contain the hurt that I am feeling in my heart. I thought everything was going to be alright. I thought I have already made Yuri change his mind. Did Nikolai and Alexei do this? Did they just trick me so that they can proceed with the burning of the wolf?

When everything went silent, Dimitri uncovered my ears and stepped back.

Nikolai remained cold. He just held me tight, all wrapped around his protective embrace. His eyes are devoid of emotion. "This is Yuri's decision." He said.

His decision? But he said that he's not leaving the mafia anymore! Did he lie to me? I could not believe that Yuri would lie to me in my face.

"He wants this? He made this decision?" I asked, utterly hurt. His brothers and the Mafia wasn't enough for him to stay. More so hurt because I now know that I wasn't enough reason for him to stay. "Yes. He's made his decision. There was nothing you can do to change his mind baby." Nikolai answered while wiping my tears.

There was nothing I could have done to change Yuri's mind. I keep on repeating this in my head again and again just so I can convince myself that everything is going to be okay and that Yuri really wants out of the Mafia.

Shouldn't I be happy because he's free now? But why does it hurt this much?☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐