Broken Marriage of Convenience

the steps and headed straight for his car, not bothering to glance back at the house where Helena was left alone and sic

enveloping his mind. After a while, he pulled into a gas station on the outskirts of town, the fluorescent lights flickering o

he saw her, she seemed to lose more weight, her skin growing paler and her eyes more holl

nding of Helena's condition. The doctor's words had been a punch to the gut. The cancer had spread to several parts of her body, her organs were slowly shutting down, and ther

lness. He remembered the pain, the fear, and the overwhelming sense of loss. It was a memory he ha

ter. How could he have been so cold, so indifferent to Helena's suffering? She had never asked for this life, and yet she had been de

Helena to watch a movie, letting her believe that they were more than just hostages of a bad deal. He wa

ng. His heart sank. Gabrielle, the woman who had become his escape from the harsh realities of his life, was calli

ed the call. "Hey," he said, hi

laced with impatience and annoyance. "I've be

a hand through his hair. "I'm just..

s sharp. "Sergey, I need you here. I c

eated in the midst of all this chaos. He had responsibilities to her, to their u

lly, the weight of his decision

, her voice softening

ed, his heart heavy wit

ve home and be with Helena, but the pull of his obligations to Gabrielle was too strong. With a heavy sigh, he started

pain and sorrow. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was making the

_

turmoil inside him. He was supposed to be at the charity ball for the orphanage, a place that held significanc

field day once they find out about Gabrielle and the baby. Your reputation is on the line. The shareh

roperty in the Hamptons. It's secluded and perfect for Gabrielle and the baby. We can sp

t your guard down, Sergey. One misstep and everyt

it as a sanctuary for his new family. The orphanage ball hadn't crossed his mind at

glanced at the screen and saw a call from Harris,

y said, picking up the pho

he table, he answere

. There's been an incident,"

a beat. "Is Gabrielle

l," Harris replied. "You

etails. Hanging up, he turned to Daniel. "Something happe

ed to one of concern. "We

ar. He hadn't been there for Helena, hadn't cared enough to stay by her side in her fin

briskly through the halls, and the sterile scent of antiseptics filled the air. He rushed to the

her face calm and composed. "Yes,

ded in his chest, each step amplifying his fear. They reached a r

pped him in his tracks. A nurse was standing by a hospital bed, carefully placing a pair of s

s voice barely audible. "N

mber. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Novikov. Mrs.

what he was seeing. It was Helena, not Gabrielle, who had been hurt. Helena, who had been

way. He hadn't been there when she needed him, hadn't shown her the kindness and love she deserved. Inste

to be free of the burdens of his past, to create a new life, but now he realised the cost. Helena's death was

sing down on him, the gravity of his actions pulling him into a darkness from which he might never escape. He had