Chapter 19 #2
Even if Viktor said everything he did that day was a misunderstanding, those wounds couldn't be erased with a few apologies.
Every word he said that night was carved into my heart like a knife. That feeling of being humiliated, trampled—I'd never forget it.
I didn't want to keep facing Viktor. The memories of that humiliation still throbbed faintly in my nerves.
I looked away and turned, hurrying to get away from this suffocating man.
But the instant I took that first step, Viktor's hand shot out and grabbed my wrist.
I was forced to stop and turn to look at Viktor.
"Don't go yet. I want to take you somewhere."
I stood there, looking at Viktor's hand holding mine.
I realized I was truly pathetic.
I'd suffered so much because of this man.
But the moment he apologized and said a few nice words, I couldn't stay angry anymore.
My legs completely lost the strength to run. I sadly realized that as long as he held my hand, I'd go anywhere with him.
Forget it. What was the point of struggling? I couldn't refuse this man's requests anyway, whether because of our positions or because my heart refused to obey.
Viktor held my hand without any hesitation and pulled me toward the side door of the main house.
We reached the rooftop. The moment I arrived, the scene before me left me completely stunned.
Across the entire spacious rooftop, not a single light was on. Instead, hundreds—thousands—of burning white candles took their place. These thick candles were placed inside windproof glass holders, arranged neatly along the edges and walkways of the rooftop.
Thousands of gorgeous white roses were scattered across the dark carpet.
The orange candlelight flickered in the breeze, illuminating the entire rooftop. The air was filled with the faint fragrance of roses and burning wax.
Against the backdrop of LA's glittering night skyline, it all looked extravagant and romantic.
I turned my head in shock, looking at the man beside me.
Without warning, Viktor dropped to one knee in front of me.
I cried out, both hands flying to cover my mouth, unable to believe any of this was real.
"Viktor..." I let out a weak murmur.
Viktor looked up. Those ice-blue eyes shone brilliantly in the candlelight.
He pulled a delicate velvet box from inside his suit jacket. Opening it, I saw a magnificent diamond ring—a huge oval diamond set in platinum, surrounded by a circle of smaller diamonds that sparkled brilliantly in the candlelight.
"Hazel, I screwed up that confession. So I'm making up for it. This is a proposal. Will you officially become my woman?"
I stood there, tears streaming down endlessly.
My mind was in complete chaos.
Viktor was proposing to me. This was a scene I wouldn't have dared dream of.
But I knew clearly how vast the gap between our statuses was. And not long ago, he'd hurt me deeply, trampled on my heart. Those humiliating words still echoed in my ears.
I should refuse.
I should protect myself, not hand over my heart again, not give him another chance to hurt me.
But I couldn't ignore the voice from the deepest part of my heart.
Yes. Even after all that pain, I still loved this man.
I knew it was pathetic. I knew I should turn and leave, should protect myself, shouldn't hand over my heart again.
But love never made sense.
I thought of the studio he'd prepared for me, thought of how careful he'd been at the prenatal checkup. I realized with despair that I still couldn't remain unmoved.
Trust him, Hazel. Just trust him this once.
If he hurt me again, then I'd give up completely. But if I didn't give him this chance, I'd regret it for the rest of my life.
Trembling, I raised my right hand and placed it gently in his large palm.
"I will." I nodded helplessly, tears falling instantly.
Viktor took the ring and aligned it with my left ring finger.
The moment the ring slid on, a massive explosion rang out from the distant night sky.
I turned my head.
Brilliant fireworks burst open one after another in LA's night sky, illuminating the entire rooftop. The thunderous explosions echoed across the city, bringing an intense sense of awe.
I watched the fireworks filling the sky, watched this man kneeling before me.
I leaned down and, of my own accord, pressed my lips to his.
Viktor wrapped one arm around my waist, his other hand cupping the back of my head, pulling me toward him with almost brutal force.
He kissed me breathless, my brain oxygen-starved. I could only grip the lapels of his suit jacket instinctively, letting him take whatever he wanted.
The distant fireworks kept exploding, their deafening roar echoing through the night sky. Red, gold, and purple light bloomed behind us, painting the entire rooftop in dreamlike colors.
Viktor finally released my lips, letting me breathe. But he didn't pull away. His forehead pressed against mine, our breaths mingling.
"Do you know how long I've waited for this moment?" His voice was low and hoarse, thick with desire. "From the first night you stumbled into my room, I knew you'd be my downfall."
His hand slid from my waist to my hips, pressing me hard against him. I could feel the change in his body, that heat and hardness transmitting through our clothes, making my face burn instantly.
"Viktor..." I said quietly, my eyes unconsciously darting around. "We're outside..."
"Doesn't matter." Viktor lowered his head, trailing a string of hot kisses down my neck. "No one's here. The entire rooftop belongs to us tonight."
His hands began wandering restlessly, his palms tracing the curves of my body through the thin fabric of my dress. From waist to hips, from hips to thighs—he missed nothing.
"You look beautiful today." He murmured in my ear, his voice low and seductive.
His voice made my body go soft instantly. I could only clutch his lapels, letting him explore my body freely.
Viktor's hand moved up my thigh, lifting the hem of my dress. The autumn evening breeze swept across my bare legs, bringing a chill, but his palm was scorching hot.
"Viktor..." I trembled as I called his name, unsure if I was refusing or inviting.
"Say my name." He commanded, his fingers already probing the inside of my thigh, feeling the warmth there through thin fabric. "Just like that. Over and over."
His fingers pressed harder, rubbing slow circles against me through the damp barrier of my underwear. I gasped, my knees buckling. Only his arm around my waist kept me upright.
"You're so responsive," he murmured, his breath hot against my ear. "I barely touch you, and you're already soaking through."
"Viktor, please..." I whimpered, though whether I was begging him to stop or continue, I couldn't say.