Vengeance

CHAPTER 15

There is no feeling worse than waking up to the sound of someone struggling to breathe. A sudden sound of gasps, frantic movements, and the rustling of bed linens jolted Mikhail awake. He rushed to Tabitha’s side, his heart pounding in sheer panic.

Her face was flushed, tears streaming down her cheeks as she clawed at the air, desperately trying to inhale. The sight of her in such distress sent a sharp pang through his chest. He had never felt so powerless before.

"Tabitha," he called her name softly, his voice puckering as he knelt beside her.

It was a few agonizing seconds before she suddenly woke up, her eyes wide with fear. The moment her gaze landed on him, she scrambled back, pressing herself against the headboard. Her knees were drawn tightly to her chest, and her arms were wrapped protectively around them. That single movement spoke volumes, and it was all he needed to figure out the root of her terror.

“It’s me, Tabby. Mikhail,” he said softly, keeping his voice steady and calm, though the knot in his chest tightened.

“No,” she shook her head vehemently. She refused to believe him. He never hated this face ever before.

For the first time in his life, he hated his face, despised every resemblance he bore to Anatoly.

Mikhail raised both his hands in a gesture of surrender, his tone gentle but firm. “I’m not Anatoly. It’s me, Mikhail. I promise you, I’m not going to hurt you.” He kept his movements slow and deliberate, nodding toward their surroundings. “Look around, Tabitha. This isn’t his house, it’s mine. Please, trust me.”

He slowly extended his hand toward her, leaving space for her to make the decision.

Tabitha paused, her breathing ragged as her eyes darted between his face and his outstretched hand. She studied him intensely, fear flickering in her gaze. A tense silence filled the room, stretching into what felt like an eternity. Then, finally, after what seemed like minutes, her trembling fingers lightly touched his hand.

Relief washed over him, though he kept his composure. “I’m going to come closer now, alright?” He paused, waiting for her reaction.

She gave the smallest of nods, her body still tense, but her grip on his hand remained. “Mikhail?” she whispered, her voice fragile, barely audible.

“Yeah, it’s me,” he replied, his tone steady, anchoring.

Her tears came suddenly, a torrent she could no longer hold back. A broken sob escaped her lips as she started shaking violently. Without hesitation, Mikhail pulled her into his arms, cradling her as though she might break.

“It’s okay,” he murmured into her hair, his hand gently stroking her back. “I’ve got you, Tabitha. You’re safe now. I promise you’re safe.” Mikhail held her tighter.

Tabitha was exhausted. It wasn't long before she slept in his arms, her breathing uneven but softening as her fragile frame relaxed. Mikhail held her for a while longer, unwilling to move until he was sure she was resting peacefully. When her weight became heavier with sleep, he gently laid her down on the bed, taking care not to wake her. He pulled the blanket over her and brushed a stray strand of hair from her face.

The night was anything but peaceful. Tabitha's sleep was restless, plagued by nightmares that left her tossing and turning. Mikhail stayed nearby, his eyes on her, ready to wake her if the nightmares became unbearable.

When Tabitha's eyes finally fluttered open, the faint morning light illuminated the room, making everything feel surreal. Her gaze landed on Mikhail, slouched in the recliner beside her bed.

It took only a second for him to sense her gaze. His eyes opened almost immediately, meeting hers with a mix of relief and quiet concern.

Her confused stare told him she didn’t remember leaning on him for support, and that was fine by him. However, Tabitha was able to see the dark circle under his eyes.

"You slept here all night?" Tabitha asked quietly.

"Yes," he replied, his tone steady but gentle. "I couldn’t leave you alone."

"I am not going to kill myself," she stated firmly.

"I don't believe that, and even if I did, it wasn’t the only reason I stayed. You were having nightmares, Tabitha. I couldn’t just leave you alone." He hesitated, then added with a small, almost apologetic smile, "But don’t worry. I’ll respect your boundaries. I will not cross any lines."

Tabitha opened her mouth to respond, but her words faltered as the sharp ring of her phone shattered the moment. Her face paled as her eyes fell on the screen, her entire body tensing.

"Is it Anatoly?" Mikhail asked, his voice low and filled with controlled anger as he leaned closer, already scowling.

"Yes," she whispered, her throat dry. Her hands trembled as she stared at the phone, unsure whether to answer.

"Do you want to pick it up?" Mikhail asked carefully.

"No," she replied quickly, her voice shaky. "But if I don’t, then..."

Mikhail cut her off. "Nothing will happen. I have everything handled. You should get freshened up. After breakfast, we’ll go to your house and fetch you some clothes."

"My house? You cannot expect me to stay here."

"No, I can’t. But you have to." Mikhail’s words were firm, his expression unwavering despite the tension that laced his tone. "First, I still don’t trust you to be safe on your own, and second, Anatoly will find a way to hurt you there. It is not safe."

"He will torment my parents, Mikhail. I can’t let that happen." Her voice broke, each word heavier than the last.

"He won't. I can do far worse. Anatoly will not be able to touch your parents, that I can promise. But right now, I’m more concerned about you. He will continue to use you and blackmail you until you find the strength to stand up for yourself, Tabitha."

"What do you want me to do then?” Her voice trembled in defeat. "I can’t take any risks. It’s not just my life on the line, Mikhail. It’s my parents’. They can't be destroyed because of my foolishness.”

"Wouldn’t they have been devastated if anything happened to you?”

"It would have been better than having them on the street. I have no option, Mikhail. I am trapped into becoming Anatoly's puppet."

"Not if I had anything to do with it. Tabitha, you need to stop fearing Anatoly. He is feeding off your fear."

"Easier said than done."

"But not impossible." He smiled reassuringly. "You want your life back, and I’ll do whatever it takes for you to get it from him.”

"You will? Why? What do you want in return?"

Mikhail’s breath hitched, but he quickly masked it with a calm demeanor. He should’ve expected the question. Tabitha no longer trusted him, and he couldn’t blame her. His voice was steady, but there was an honesty in it she hadn’t seen before. "Nothing. I don’t want anything from you. Just… you, free of fear."

Her gaze hardened, skepticism rooted deeply in her. "I do not believe you."

"I know, and I deserve that doubt. But all I want, Tabitha, is your happiness."

"I..."

"Don't trust me," Mikhail softly interrupted, his voice steady but with deep sincerity. "It’s okay. I understand. But I won’t stand by while you destroy yourself. Not when I can help. So, until Anatoly and my mother are taught a lesson they won’t forget, do not leave from here. Or I’ll stay with you. I won’t compromise on your safety, not even for a second."

"What about my parents, and how long will this go on? Years? Decades?"

"So as we speak, my men are already keeping tabs on your parents. They’ll remain unaware, and they know how to stay discreet. You won’t be trapped here, Tabitha. Anatoly will be exposed before you know it."

Her breath hitched, the weight of his words sinking in. "Tabs? Did you keep tabs on me, too?"

"Yes," he confessed, his voice steady but tinged with regret. "But not for the reasons you think. It was because of Anatoly. I didn’t trust him, and, as always, he proved me right."