Chapter 5 Starting Afresh

Dominic POV

I gazed at her as she drifted off in my arms, I knew she was fighting to stay awake, but I knew her well enough to recognize the panic rising within her.

The only way to calm her was to gently ease her into sleep. As I cradled her, I admired her face; though time had passed, she remained stunning.

Her hair cascaded behind her in soft waves, her skin was as smooth as cream, and her lips retained that youthful allure.

Just as I was about to lay her down, the door swung open, and Aiden entered.

"Don," he called, and I turned my attention to him.

"What's the situation?" I inquired, my gaze still fixed on the serene beauty before me.

"He survived. It turns out he was wearing a bulletproof vest, and the bullet only grazed his skin," Aiden replied, and I had to summon all my strength to keep my emotions in check.

A wave of anger washed over me at the thought of having dealt with that monster, only to learn he was still alive.

Something deep inside me hinted that he had formed a connection with Clarissa.

"And?" I asked, finally meeting Aiden's eyes for the first time since he entered the room

"He have declared war on us, and our spies have been eliminated, but we discovered something else" Aiden informed me.

I raised an eyebrow at him, eager for more details.

"They somehow managed to erase her memories of you. We don't know how they did it, but she has no recollection of the last two years when you were together," he explained, and I felt a sharp pain as I squeezed my eyes shut, grappling with the reality of it all.

I was unsure if I felt relief or guilt; the emotions were tangled.

Did I truly want her to remember our past?

I had been a monster, treating her poorly, and now she had lost all memories of me and the hurt I caused. I knew she would never forgive me for my actions, and deep down, I felt a mix of relief for her situation and a simmering anger within myself.

A heavy sense of guilt and shame enveloped me, rendering me speechless and paralyzed. I found it incredibly difficult to articulate my deep regret for my past actions abandoning her in her time of need and pushing her away when she was at her most fragile.

"Why Wouldn't you tell her ?" Aiden inquired, his worry clear in his voice. As my closest friend, he knew all too well of everything that went on between us.

"Why would I bring up those painful memories? I want her back more than anything, and I would do anything to atone for my mistakes," I confessed, feeling a rush of vulnerability wash over me.

"What if she recalls those moments? Being here could stir those memories," he murmured, and I turned to look at her, peacefully resting in what was once her room.

I loved her too much to lose her, I couldn't make the mistake I did a year ago anymore, I was stupid and it cost me a lot.

"Why do I hope she doesn't remember? Why do I wish she wouldn't uncover those memories that could make her despise me even more? I want a fresh start with her; I want to be the man I should have been during our marriage, and I would do anything to make things right," I murmured, my gaze fixed on her.

"I wouldn't recommend that; you can't deceive her like that..." he cautioned, and I shot him a look that silenced him immediately.

"Enough!!, do you know how long i felt pain because of what i did, do you know why i would cut my self each night when i remember the pains i caused her, and now you tell me to give her a chance to hate me again, when i can rewrite everything from the beginning " i responded and he looked at me in horror.

I knew it was selfish of me, i knew wrong wrong, but i had to, i couldn't imagine it if she hates me again, what if she couldn't look into my eyes because of what i do to her, i couldn't live with that and i would do all i can to bury the past, even when i knew it was selfish of me.

Before Aiden could say a word the door busted open, and one of my men came in.

"What is it" i snapped rudely at him pissied off, that i was interrupted by him.

"It's the Russians Don, they have declared war" he informed me as i furrowed my brows in anger.

I knew Ivan would strike back seeing as he survived the shooting, something told me he was the answers to my questions that were flowing through my mind.

"What happened to Clarissa"

"And how did she come to lose all memories of me?"

"and how did she end up almost married to him"

These questions ran through my mind, and i knew i had to get them.

"Good, i would do everything to take away Eve, prepare the men and secure our goods, we have a dire situation in our hands" i ordered Aiden, as he nobbed and let the room

Leaving me with her.