Chapter 64: Would You Like That?

Ophelia was acutely aware of the crumbling walls she had painstakingly tried to build around her heart. Each moment with Nikolai seemed to weaken them further, and his recent words had caused two of those walls to shatter violently. Despite her efforts to fortify her defenses, the entity before her was unlike any other. His voice, deep and warm, carried a sensual undertone that made every word he spoke, even the false ones, seem to flow seamlessly and with a captivating clarity. "However, I won't compel you," he had said, and that single phrase was enough to melt her resolve. Ophelia snorted at his declaration, which he seemed to mean most sincerely. "I want you to know how much I don't want you to forget me, Ophelia," he had said. The intensity of his words made her wonder about the true meaning behind them. Nikolai's gaze remained steady as he observed her, noticing her distraction. "Do you trust me?" he asked, his tone gentle yet probing. "What?" Ophelia responded, her voice ting