Chapter 7 Broken Illusions

The next morning, when Alexei woke up, he realized that he had Anya in his arms. For an instant, his heart beat with a mixture of tenderness and guilt, but he soon remembered what had happened that night.

He immediately pulled away from her, as if her touch burned his skin. She was an unfaithful woman, she did not deserve his affection. He reproached himself for being so weak and wanting her body. He quickly moved away from the bed, as if the simple fact of staying there contaminated him with her presence.

Before leaving, he left a single red rose and a note on the pillow, a gesture empty of meaning for him, but one that he knew Anya would appreciate. The note was brief, just a few words to keep up appearances.

Anya woke up alone, her heart racing as she saw Alexei's attention, she felt hope, she clung to that flash of happiness as if it were a beacon of light in the midst of the darkness that surrounded her, ignoring the alarms that tried to alert her.

In the following days, Alexei struggled between coldness and moments of tenderness that came naturally to him, each gesture of affection reminded him of what he should be and was not, he tried to contain the sharp words and cold glances so that the girl would not realize what his true feelings were.

Anya felt pampered under his attentions, blind to the darkness that stalked her, desperately clinging to the hope that things were okay, that Alexei loved her, that their marriage was working.

Alexei asked her to stay home, so he could rest, he would take care of the company and let her know if his presence was needed, when her grandfather Vladimir questioned her absence from the company, Anya smiled explaining what was happening.

"I fully trust Alexei, grandfather, he insists that I should not worry, that I should enjoy the luxuries that correspond to a woman of my position."

She told him that she trusted Alexei, convincing herself that it was true, but deep inside her, she had a feeling, something didn't fit, but she refused to face the truth.

The grandfather preferred not to give his opinion, after all he had insisted on that marriage, now the least he could do was give his vote of confidence to that boy, two months later, Alexei's temperament changed abruptly, he was in a bad mood all the time.

The caresses and intimate conversations vanished, replaced by a frozen silence at night, he turned his back on her, the passion seemed extinct, leaving a painful void in Anya's heart, determined to ease his burden, Anya suggested going back to work.

"Honey, maybe it's time for me to take back my position in the company, with my help, you would have less stress."

Alexei turned around furiously, his eyes shining.

"No way! If you insist, you only show your lack of confidence in my abilities."

Her words were received with fury by Alexei, her rejection was like a slap, a cruel confirmation that she would never be enough for him.

Intimidated, Anya gave in because when she reviewed the accounts he delivered every month, everything seemed to be going well, the profits were higher than projected, the company was thriving under Alexei's leadership.

So, why this gap between them? Anya clung to the hope that they would soon be close again, but with each passing day the distance between them seemed to grow, Anya dreamed of starting a family, with an adorable baby who had Alexei's captivating green eyes.

Surely fatherhood would rekindle their relationship, she thought desperately, that night she waited for him dressed provocatively, but Alexei made love to her reluctantly, there were no traces of his unbridled passion anymore.

As their wedding anniversary approached, the Ivanov and Petrov clans gathered in the Urals for a grand celebration, the tension in the air could be felt, but Anya clung to the hope that this day would mark a new beginning for them.

Amidst the hubbub, Alexei slipped away, following a tempting brunette, they met at the chalet in the back, away from prying eyes.

"I was afraid you wouldn't come." She purred, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"And miss the chance to delight in you? Never." Alexei replied huskily, his gaze burning as he watched her.

Unbeknownst to the lovers, someone noticed Alexei's absence. Nikolai, his envious cousin, saw the perfect opportunity to stir up trouble. With a malicious smile, he approached Anya, relishing the idea of ​​causing her more suffering than she already endured.

"Dear Anya, I have a message from Alexei. He is waiting for you at the chalet. He has prepared a big surprise for you. He asked you to go alone." Nikolai lied. His voice was as soft as a snake's venom.

Anya felt hopeful when she heard those words. Perhaps this could be the chance for reconciliation she had longed for. She immediately headed towards the chalet, ignoring what was going on inside.

As she approached the chalet, Anya froze. Unmistakable sounds reached her ears. Alexei's passionate voice and a woman's moans made her turn pale.

A chill ran down her spine as her heart sank, yet she forced herself forward, driven by the hope that it was all just a misunderstanding, a trick of her mind.

Her hands trembled as she opened the door of the chalet in a sudden manner, the scene in front of her left her frozen, Alexei was in full ecstasy with another woman, their bodies intertwined with unbridled passion, Anya's heart tore in her chest as she watched the scene.

The lovers were so focused on their passion, they seemed not to have noticed that she had opened the door.

"Didn't your little wife protest?" The brunette asked with a mischievous smile.

"I'd rather not talk about her, let's take advantage of this moment." Alexei replied, his voice was hoarse, full of desire.

"Imagine the face of your pathetic wife if she saw how you worship my body." Alexei's lover mocked, disdainfully.

"I told you not to talk about her, focus on the pleasure I give you," Alexei growled, as he quickened his thrusts.

Every word was a painful blow to Anya, every moan was like a dagger stabbing her, she felt as if she was trapped in a cruel dream she couldn't wake up from, helplessly watching her perfect world crumble before her eyes.

"So this is why you've been so distant, and I'm feeling bad about how overworked you were." Anya whispered, her voice barely a murmur laden with pain.

Hearing her, Alexei abruptly pulled away from his lover, dressing in a hurry as his eyes met Anya's, cold and merciless.

"Now you know the truth, one word of this to anyone, and I will destroy your precious family." Alexei threatened coldly.

Turning around, he walked past her, not sparing her a single glance, Anya's body wracked with sobs.

"Poor fool, he's been mine for months, he can't stand the sight of you, their relationship has been nothing more than an act on his part." Alexei's lover mocked as she got dressed.

Every word from the woman was like a hard blow to Anya, the perfect world she had created in her mind turned to ashes in that instant, humiliated and betrayed, that seemed to be part of her life.

The chalet was high up, and Anya had remained static at one side of the door. In a final act of cruelty, Alexei's lover approached, and without Anya expecting it, she pushed them down the steep stairs.

"I hope you break all your bones! If you die, it wouldn't be a great loss." Her mocking laughter could be heard as she walked away carefree.

As she rolled down the stairs, Anya gave in to despair, she stretched out her arms trying to stop herself, but it was useless, her fragile body continued to roll down the stairs.

Time seemed to stop, her mind was clouded by physical and emotional pain, she reviewed every moment of her life with Alexei, every caress, every word of love, now they were like blades that cut her soul.

The dull sound of her body hitting the ground was heard in the silence of the forest surrounding the estate, a sharp pain ran through her, but not as much as the pain in her heart. Anya lay on the ground.

After what seemed like an eternity, she could hear footsteps approaching, a blurry figure leaning over her.