chapter 26 Last chance before it's gone

Victor's eyes showed a trace of pain and hesitation, though he said nothing. There was a deep emptiness on his face, as if he himself didn't know why everything had turned out this way. A strange war raged within him, but he couldn't express it in front of Alia.

"I have only one question," Alia said with bitterness, "What happened between us, Victor? Why did you push me down this path?"

Victor lowered his head, but had no answer on his lips. At that moment, even he didn't fully understand the reason behind his actions. But her question struck something deep in his heart, and he realized that changes were happening in his life—changes that were forcing him to see things differently.

Their conversation continued, bringing to light the rift, distrust, and misunderstandings between them. At one intense moment, Victor suddenly looked at Alia and said, "I'm not letting you go, Alia. I truly love you."

There was a strange intensity in his voice, as if he was truly breaking down from the fear of losing her.

Alia paused and looked at him, her eyes showing a mix of irritation, frustration, and a hint of surprise. She stared at him for a moment, as if holding back unspoken words.

"Victor, you say you love me," Alia said, her voice carrying deep resentment, "But you don't even realize how much you've hurt me. You don't know the injustice you've done to me. And after all that, you say you love me?"

Victor's face showed discomfort, but he stayed silent. It was as if he lacked confidence, yet something inside him kept pulling him toward her.

"Yes, Alia, I know I was wrong," Victor said slowly, "But now, I just want to tell you the truth. I never meant to hurt you, and I now understand what I'm losing without you."

Alia listened in silence for a while, then replied with a cold tone, "You say you don't want to lose me, Victor? Then why should I forgive you for everything you've done?"

Victor looked at her and exhaled deeply, "I know you won't forgive me. But I just want to say one thing—I truly love you, and no matter what happens, I won't leave you."

Alia was quiet, then gave a cold smile and said, "You know, Victor, love isn't always enough. And I know—you're still the same. You haven't really changed."

Their conversation remained unsettled, a clash of longing and mistrust. Victor was desperately trying to win her back, but Alia was no longer ready to believe him blindly.

Victor took a deep breath and looked at her, "I'm in trouble, Alia. I searched everywhere for a way to reach you, but you've gone too far. You were the most important person in my life, and now I'm trapped—with no way out without you."

Alia's eyes were cold, but something in Victor's voice stirred a reaction inside her. She remained silent for a moment before saying, "So you want to drag me into your trouble?"

Victor's eyes filled with despair. "I don't want to involve you, Alia. But now, I can't do anything without you. I know I lost your trust, and you won't believe me again. But I'm asking for your help."

Alia paused, her mind torn by conflict. "But you hurt me before, Victor. You don't know how much pain you caused. If I help you now… will I fall back into that same darkness again?"

Victor reached out a hand. "I never wanted to put you in danger, Alia. I know you won't be the same with me, but just give me one chance."

Alia looked at him in surprise and then said slowly, "Do you know what I want, Victor? I want you in my life—but only if you're honest with me. If you truly love me, you'll trust me… and help me come out of this darkness, not drag me deeper into it."

Victor, in pain, replied, "I love you, Alia. And I know I was wrong. But I truly need your help."

Thus, their relationship began to shift toward a new turning point, where trust was being rebuilt slowly, based not on old wounds but new realities.

Later, as Alia reached Victor, she stood in silence. Her mind was overwhelmed. In Victor's eyes, she saw the same old mystery, the hidden pull—but also something that now pushed her away. She knew the path ahead wouldn't be easy.

Victor looked at her and said, "I know I broke your trust, Alia. But I want you to know—I truly love you. And today, I need your help."

Alia responded with a sharp calmness, "Victor, you never truly trusted me. You betrayed me. You doubted me over and over—and now you say you love me? How am I supposed to believe you?"

Victor hesitated. He knew his next words could change everything. He wasn't even sure if Alia should know about the darkness in his past.

"I know you can't trust me," he said with pain in his voice. "But I need your help now. I know you hate me… but I want you to know—I want to change."

Alia tried to compose herself. Victor was a part of her life she could never fully erase. But the wounds he left kept her distant.

"You still think I'll help you?" she said, irritated. "When you broke my trust, I decided never to take your help again."

Victor looked at her and said, "I know I hurt you. But now, I'm in a situation where I truly need you."

After a moment of silence, a new strength rose within Alia—a strength to face her fears. She knew helping Victor might become a major turning point in her life.

"If you really want to change," she said with unexpected firmness, "Then show me the trust you talk about. But this won't be a safe path."

Victor took a deep breath. "I know. But I promise you—I want to be honest now."

Alia looked at him for a long time. Then she said, "Fine. I'll help you. But under one condition—you must learn to trust me. If you doubt me even once, this won't work."

Victor was surprised, but in that moment, a strange peace washed over his face. He knew this could be the beginning of something new between them.

"Thank you, Alia," Victor said, his voice solemn. Between lost trust and broken understanding, they were now ready to walk a new path. But what lay ahead—no one knew.

Suddenly, Victor leaned in with a strange intensity. Alia was caught off guard. Then, without warning, Victor placed a quick, soft kiss on her lips.

Alia's eyes widened in shock. A rush of emotion surged through her. Her cheeks turned red as she struggled to compose herself.

"Victor, you…" she tried to speak, but her voice faltered.

Victor looked at her and said, "I'm sorry, Alia… I know I crossed the line. But I just wanted to feel you… for a moment when it felt like you were close again."

Before Alia could respond, Victor stepped forward and hugged her tightly. Kissing her again, he whispered, "We're husband and wife, Alia… don't forget."

Alia froze. His words, his kiss—shook her deeply. She knew their relationship was far from resolved. And this moment, though intimate, felt overwhelming.

"Victor, do you even know where we stand?" she asked with a distant look in her eyes.

"I do," Victor said quietly. "But our lives have reached a point where we can't let each other go."

They walked toward the car. Snow was falling. The cold air seemed to match the mood—tense, uncertain, yet intimate.

Victor opened the door to a sleek, luxurious black car. It looked like it was made not just for a ride—but for a future.

He smiled lightly. "It's for you. We're going somewhere, Alia."

She stared at the car, then at him, and slowly stepped in. As snow fell outside, Alia knew the future held changes—big ones.

As they drove, Alia suddenly asked, "You still haven't told me how you ended up in this mess. You seem to be hiding something."

Victor, keeping his hands on the steering wheel, paused and replied, "I'm telling you now. Maybe you don't remember, but we can go to that place. You're CIA. You won't have a problem."

Alia was quiet. Then said firmly, "Yes. I'm CIA."

Victor looked at her, surprised, but said nothing. A silence settled between them.

He said, "Then you understand what lies ahead. If you want to help me, there's no turning back."

Alia responded coldly, "If your problem is of that nature, I'll have to consider carefully. But my duty is to protect my nation."

Victor glanced at her again and turned the wheel. "Then there won't be obstacles. I know you'll never abandon me."

Alia smiled slightly. "Yes, I'll never leave you."

Her smile carried bravery—but her eyes held mystery.

Then Victor softly said in Russian:

"Ты точно уверена?" (Are you sure about this?)

Alia looked at him and smiled:

"Я не боюсь!" (I'm not afraid!)

Victor teased back,

"Ты думаешь, что это будет легко?" (Do you think this will be easy?)