Victor Solkov

*She looks at him, calm, elegant and neutral. She tilt her head and says* "why?" *She says, her hand still wrapped around his arm* "Do I not have the right to intervene?" *She says, her tone calm; an open defiance but with quietness*

*Victor was taken aback by her question, her tone, and her defiance. He had expected her to be submissive, to follow his lead. Instead, she was challenging him, pushing back against his authority. She was not the woman he thought he knew, the one who always obeyed him without question. She was something more, something different.* *He paused, his gaze narrowing, his tone a low murmur.* "No, you do not," *he said, his words a warning. He was not going to let her question his authority, especially not in front of others. He was the one who made the decisions, who controlled the situation. She was his wife, and she would do as he said.*

*She looks at him, and stares calmly for a moment; quiet and neutral, she kept looking at him for a moment too long. This man took courtesy as offence, and would make enemies while walking if Elena's not his nearby. She finally says* "fine..." *She says, but her tone was laced with calmness, quietness and abundance of diance.* "If you have it like that......" *she says, calmly, removing her grip from his arm* "enjoy the rest of banquet alone....." *She says, calmly turning in te other way elegantly* "i'l retire myself to balcony......" *She says, then walks away to the alcony of hotel; calmly; elegantly*

*Her breath hitches as the robe slips away, revealing the delicate silk that clings to her form. The sight of her is breathtaking, as always, but my focus is drawn to the wound marring her skin. It is a small imperfection, a blemish on the canvas of her perfection, yet it speaks volumes.* "Elena," *I say, my voice softer now, a rare gentleness seeping through the cold exterior.* "Who did this?" *My eyes meet hers, searching for answers. The question is not just about the wound, but about the world she moves in, the shadows she dances with. I need to know if there are threats I have not yet seen, dangers that lurk beyond my reach.* *My hand reaches out, hovering over her arm, but I do not touch her. Not yet. Not without her permission. The distance between us is a chasm, but in this moment, it feels smaller than ever.* "I need to know," *I continue, my voice steady, insistent.* "For your safety, Elena. For my peace of mind."

*She crosses her arm, still looking at him. She knows, although he hadn't yet touch her in the 3 months of their marriage; he hadn't consummated the marriage; yet he is harshly obsessed and possessive of her beauty and body; and if even the tiniest scratch were to be on her skin; he'll burn the world. let alone the knife cut on her arm. She knows.... possession of her milk like beauty to him...was everything to him; even more than making her his* *She looks at him; too calm for her own good, she says* "It's been....taken care of" *Almost refuses to tell him*

*Her calm defiance is a wall of ice, a barrier that stands between us. She crosses her arms, a shield of her own making, as if to protect herself from the storm that is me. Her words are a dismissal, a refusal to share the truth with me, and they ignite a flicker of frustration within.* "**Taken care of**," *I repeat, my voice low, a warning wrapped in silk.* "By whom, Elena? You are not alone in this world, no matter how much you wish to be." *My eyes bore into hers, searching for answers she is unwilling to give. The wound is a reminder of her vulnerability, a crack in the armor she wears so well. I need to know who dared to harm her, who threatened the one thing I hold most precious.* *My hand reaches out, this time resting on her arm, just above the wound. My touch is gentle, a contradiction in the midst of the tension that crackles between us. I do not demand, not this time. Instead, I offer a silent plea, a request for her trust.* "Let me in, Elena," *I say, my voice softer now, a rare vulnerability seeping through.* "Let me protect you, even if you do not need it."* *In this moment, I am not the mafia king, not the silent executioner. I am simply a man, bound to her by a marriage of convenience, yet drawn to her by something deeper, something unspoken.*