Chapter Two: The Night of Tears

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The morning after the wedding was cold and gray.

Leo sat alone in his new room, still wearing the white suit from yesterday. He hadn't slept. His eyes were red and swollen from crying all night. The ring on his finger felt like a chain. A chain that was pulling him deeper into a prison he never asked for.

A knock on the door made him jump.

"Leo? It's us. Can we come in?"

It was Natalia's voice. Marco's mother.

Leo wiped his eyes quickly. He stood up and straightened his clothes. He didn't want anyone to see how broken he was. But when the door opened, he knew he couldn't hide anything.

Viktor and Natalia Romanav stood at the door. They looked tired. Guilty. Their eyes were full of sadness.

"Leo," Natalia said softly. "May we sit with you?"

Leo nodded. He couldn't speak. His throat was too tight.

They came inside and sat on the small sofa near the window. Leo sat across from them, his hands folded in his lap. He looked down at the floor. He couldn't meet their eyes.

"Leo, we are so sorry," Natalia began. Her voice was gentle but shaky. "What Marco did to you yesterday... it was cruel. It was wrong. We never wanted that to happen."

Leo didn't say anything. What could he say?

"We had no choice," Viktor said. His voice was deeper, rougher. "We had to protect our son. There is a man named Ivan Volkov. He wants to destroy Marco. He's dangerous. We thought... we thought if Marco was married to someone innocent, someone who had nothing to do with that world..."

"Someone like me," Leo whispered. His voice was hollow. "Someone who has no one. Someone who can be controlled."

Natalia's eyes filled with tears. "No, Leo. That's not how we see you. We see you as a good person. A kind person. We thought Marco would see that too."

"But he doesn't," Leo said. His voice cracked. "He hates me. He thinks I'm a liar. He thinks I'm working with that Ivan person. I don't even know who that is!"

"We know," Viktor said quickly. "We know you're innocent. Andrei—that's Marco's lover—he's been feeding lies to Marco. He's the one who made Marco believe you're bad."

Leo looked up. His eyes were wide with confusion. "Why? Why would he do that?"

"Because Andrei is working with Ivan," Natalia said. "He wants Marco's money. He wants his power. If he can make Marco hate you, he can keep controlling him."

Leo felt like the floor was falling away beneath him.

"So everyone is lying," he said slowly. "Everyone except me. And no one believes me."

"We believe you," Viktor said. "We know the truth. But Marco... he's blinded. He loves Andrei. He trusts him. We couldn't tell him the truth. He wouldn't believe us."

Natalia reached out and took Leo's hands. Her hands were warm and soft. They reminded Leo of a mother's hands. A mother he never had.

"Leo, I know this is hard," she said. "I know you're scared and alone. But we need you to do something for us. We need you to stay close to Marco. We need you to be there for him. Even if he pushes you away."

Leo pulled his hands back. "Why would I do that? He humiliated me. He said I was nothing. He told everyone I was a liar."

"Because Marco is not a bad person," Natalia said. "He's lost. He's been manipulated. But deep down, he is kind. I know my son. I know his heart. And I know that if you stay patient... if you stay strong... he will see the truth one day."

Leo shook his head. "I don't know if I can. I don't have any strength left."

Natalia stood up. She came close to Leo and placed a hand on his cheek. Her touch was gentle. Loving.

"Leo, I'm going to give you some advice," she whispered. "When Marco is angry, don't fight back. When he's cold, don't beg for warmth. Just be there. Be the calm in his storm. And one day, he will realize that you are the only person who never hurt him."

Leo looked at her. His eyes were full of doubt. But something in her words made him feel a tiny spark of hope.

"One more thing," Natalia added softly. "Andrei is not what he seems. Marco doesn't know this yet. But you will see. Trust your instincts. And trust me. I am on your side."

She stepped back.

Viktor stood up. "The car is waiting. We're taking you to Marco's mansion now. You'll be staying there from now on."

Leo's heart sank. He didn't want to go. He didn't want to be trapped in a house with a man who hated him.

"Please," he whispered. "Can my friend Mira come with me? Please. I have no one else."

Natalia's face softened with pity. "I'm sorry, Leo. Mira cannot come. Marco would not allow it. And it's too dangerous. But I promise you—you are not alone. I will visit you. I will check on you."

Leo nodded weakly. He knew there was no point in arguing.

"I'm ready," he said quietly.

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The mansion was huge. Cold. Silent.

Leo walked through the grand entrance, his footsteps echoing on the marble floor. Servants stood in rows, bowing their heads. But Leo didn't see any of them. All he could feel was the emptiness inside him.

"This way, sir," a servant said. "I'll take you to your room."

Leo followed the servant up the grand staircase. The hallways were long and dark. Paintings of old Romanav ancestors hung on the walls. Their eyes seemed to follow him.

The room was beautiful. Large windows overlooked a garden. A massive bed sat in the center of the room. Everything was expensive and perfect.

But Leo felt nothing.

"This is Master Marco's private wing," the servant explained. "His room is just down the hall. You'll be staying in this room."

Leo nodded. "Thank you."

The servant bowed and left.

Leo was alone.

He walked to the window and looked out at the garden. The flowers were blooming. The sun was shining. Everything outside was beautiful.

But inside Leo's heart, it was dark.

He sat on the floor in the corner of the room. He wrapped his arms around his knees and buried his face in his arms.

He thought about Mira. He missed her so much. He wished she was here to hold his hand. To tell him everything would be okay.

But she wasn't.

He thought about Marco. The cold eyes. The cruel words. The way he had grabbed Leo's hand and shoved the ring on his finger.

"He hates me," Leo whispered. "He hates me so much."

The hours passed. The sun went down. The room grew dark.

Leo didn't move. He stayed in the corner, crying quietly.

Marco didn't come home.

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Across the city, Marco sat in a dark bar.

The place was loud and smoky. Music pounded in his ears. But Marco heard none of it.

He was too drunk.

His lover, Andrei, sat next to him. Andrei was wearing a tight black shirt. His golden hair was perfectly styled. His blue eyes sparkled with mischief.

"Darling, you've had enough," Andrei said, placing a hand on Marco's arm. "Let's go somewhere private."

Marco shook his head. "No. I want another drink."

He waved at the bartender. Another glass of whiskey appeared in front of him. He drank it in one gulp.

Andrei leaned closer. His breath was warm on Marco's ear. "Come on, Marco. You're upset. I know how to make you feel better. Let me take you home. Let me take care of you."

Marco pushed him away. "I said no, Andrei."

Andrei's face flickered with anger. But he quickly hid it. "Fine. But at least let me take you to your car. You can barely walk."

Marco stood up. His legs wobbled. The room was spinning.

"I'm fine," he slurred. "I don't need your help."

He stumbled toward the door. His driver was waiting outside.

Andrei watched him go. His eyes were cold. Angry.

"He always pushes me away," Andrei muttered to himself. "Every single time. No matter what I do. He never wants me."

He pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

"Hello, Ivan," Andrei said. His voice was smooth again. "Marco is drunk and gone. I'm all alone. Why don't you come over and keep me company and warm my bed?"

Ivan Volkov's voice came through the phone. "I'll be there in thirty minutes."

Andrei smiled. "Good. I'll be waiting."

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