Page 55 of Forbidden Bratva Virgin

But I didn’t.

I let her go.

Chapter 20 – Hazel

One Month Later

“The greatest step toward a life of freedom and happiness is letting go of what no longer serves you.”

I couldn’t remember who said it or where I’d read it, but it was all I thought about on the ride to the airport. I pondered on the weight of holding on, the liberation of letting go, and the journey to freedom and happiness, as well as cultivating a mindset to prioritize that freedom and happiness.

Beside me, Nathan slept like a baby, with his head rolling back and forth on the window as the car moved.

Years ago, I always made fun of how easily he slept during road trips and how cute he looked every time. Long lashes kissed his cheeks, his lips were puckered, and he looked peaceful. I managed to smile despite the painful tug in my chest as I reached out to brush the hair on his forehead.

His hand rested on my thigh, and I felt the burn of his palm through my jeans. Gently, I took his hand in mine and interlocked our fingers, being careful to not wake him up. To me, our palms had always been the perfect fit, though his were larger. But holding him felt safe.

Safe.

My heart clenched when Miron’s voice came back.

Being stuck, miserable, and afraid to let go.

The car stopped, and Nathan’s head jerked forward, jolting him awake. We’d reached our destination and stepped out of the car, rolling the luggage behind us.

The airport doors slid open with a quiet hiss, letting in the crisp morning air. Nathan and I stepped inside, and the polished floors reflected the cold, artificial glow of overhead lights.

The terminal buzzed with families murmuring their goodbyes, more travelers dragging luggage behind them, and flight announcements echoing overhead.

Nathan’s suitcase wheels hummed against the floor as we walked toward the check-in area. Neither of us spoke. Maybe we didn’t need to. The weight of the moment pressed down on my chest, making it harder to breathe, harder to think.

He was leaving.

I stopped just before the security checkpoint, my fingers tightening around the strap of my suede tote bag. Nathan turned to face me with sadness in his eyes.

“Hey.” With a sleepy smile I’d always thought was charming, he reached forward, kissed my cheek, and wiped something from my eye. And when he pulled back, I saw the glistening teardrop on his finger. “Don’t cry, cupcake. I’ll see you again soon.”

I tried to smile, but more tears blurred my vision. “Nate, before you go, I have a joke for you.”

Grinning, he cupped my cheek, his eyes turning glossy. “Go on, babe.”

“Why did the corporate lawyer break up with his girlfriend?” I paused and added quickly, “Because he found someone with more assets.”

I laughed and cried, like I had done the day I saw him again, holding up that box of doughnuts in the clinic. That day when I’d run into his arms with overflowing joy like I was sixteen again. But now my tears were for all the wrong reasons.

“That was a good one.” He was about ready to laugh when I slowly reached into my bag, feeling the familiar coolness of the silver chain against my fingertips. I pulled it out and let it dangle between us.

The necklace he had given me when he asked me to be his girlfriend. The pendant caught the light, glinting softly like a fading star. His gaze flickered to it, and something in his expression shifted.

Nathan’s brow furrowed as he looked at me. “Hazel….”

Before he spoke, I beat him to it.

“Why didn’t you just tell me?”

“Cupcake, listen to me. I can explain”

“But you can’t, Nate.” It felt like someone had rammed a stake through my chest. “If you really had something to say, you would have told me about her. But she means something to you, and that’s why you didn’t say anything.”

---