Chapter 37 On Natasha's last two steps , both Lucas and Alexei held their breath . Lucas saw hope of reconciliation , while Alexei's eyes darkened , plotting something unknown . 20 vouchers Then , Natasha suddenly stopped and turned a corner . Under Lucas's disbelieving gaze , she squatted down . She picked up a wooden gnome from beside the cabinet and dusted it off . " Good thing it's wood , " she snapped, glaring at a momentarily stunned Alexei . " If it were porcelain , you'd be in trouble . " ' So she's mad at me just because I knocked over her wooden gnome when I kicked Lucas ,' he thought . Alexei's expression instantly brightened . " I'll buy you a hundred ," Alexei offered , grinning as if murderous rage hadn't gripped him moments ago . However, Lucas's face turned ashen . His lips moved soundlessly . He was unable to believe that in Natasha's heart , he mattered less than a wooden gnome . ' She saw Alexei's violence , so how can she still talk to him so calmly , almost playfully ? This isn't right ,' he thought , his heart gnawed by anxiety . " Natasha , " Lucas tried again , desperate to shatter their harmony . " I'm hurt ." Natasha used to rush to him when he was injured . In college , after a dirty foul left him injured , she'd nearly fought the offenders herself . ' She should be furious and concerned - not this detached calm , ' he thought . ' I can't accept it .' Natasha carefully placed the wooden gnome back . Her gaze , when it met Lucas , was flat . " Oh , go to the hospital then ." She emphasized , " Don't come back . " Lucas felt his heart shattered . Alexei strode over , dragging the devastated Lucas out with a deceptively pleasant smile . " Sorry , Natasha still needs her soup , No more hospitality . " His tone was gentle , nothing like his earlier ferocity . The door slammed shut . Natasha hadn't intervened . The light in Lucas's eyes died . Pain , physical and soul - deep , consumed him . Lucas didn't know how he stumbled downstairs and got in the car . Sitting in the dark like a lost ghost , he longed for their happiness with envious eyes . ' Bless them ? Impossible . I don't believe Alexei . How could such a man have genuine feelings ? Let go ? No way , that'd be like tearing out my heart , ' he thought . 1/3 4:35 pm PS Chapter 37 20 vouchers Hours passed , and the rain still poured . Alexei never left the apartment . Lucas didn't go to the hospital . He stared at Natasha's window and dialed . " Mr. Clark ? Yeah , I met Natasha . She's fine . " I heard about the birthday party in three days . I'd like to announce our engagement then . " Lucas would use any means to keep Natasha . Upstairs , neither mentioned Lucas . " Happy Birthday , " Alexei murmured , fastening a necklace around Natasha's neck . A delicate , beautifully crafted rose entwined with thorns - elegant , striking , and perfect for daily wear . Natasha loved it . It was her second gift this year . Sadie had sent a painting before leaving the country . Unable to return , Sadie had texted birthday wishes at midnight . Alexei admired the rose resting against her neck , satisfied . He'd chosen it himself - it suited her . " Thank you , " Natasha said , turning to him , utterly sincere . " Not just for the gift . But for coming to be with me today ." Without him , she might not have made it back from the cemetery . Whatever Lucas said about his being dangerous , Alexei had shown more kindness to her than any supposed family or lover . Her clear , guileless eyes held pure gratitude . Like a guarded hedgehog , disarmed by small kindnesses , it bared its soft belly to the wolf . So easily soothed and fooled . Alexei's heart skipped a beat . He turned her chair to face him , closing the distance until their noses almost touched , breaths mingling . " Then finish what we started earlier ? " Natasha flushed red , recalling the charged atmosphere before Lucas barged in . But she stole a glance at his smiling eyes . ' If this is what he wants , I don't have much else to give in return , ' she mused . A feather - light kiss brushed his cheek , gone in an instant - almost an illusion . " This is enough . Sex would be too much . We're not that close yet , ' she thought . Natasha quickly turned back to the table . " That's enough . Soup is getting cold ." Alexei , one hand on his lap and the other on her back chair , looked at her profile and stiffened . What the hell ? This isn't my style . I should have kissed her fiercely or had sex , not gotten flustered by a chaste peck , he mused . Dissatisfied , Alexei forgot his earlier teasing - he'd never imagined what it'd be like if someone kissed him . Nor that she'd be so innocent . 2/3 4:35 pm P∞∞∞ Chapter 37 20 vouchers It was Alexei's first kiss , and he sat up straight uncomfortably . No disgust came . He blamed it on her quick movement - he hadn't felt a thing . They finished the soup in silence . Natasha thought , ' Who'd have thought the famous Alexei could cook so well ? ' Living with him these days , she must have gained weight . Lost in the delicious food , she forgot the almost - kiss . Alexei , however , felt profoundly unsettled . After eating , Natasha moved to clear the table . Alexei stopped her . " The birthday girl doesn't work today ." Natasha rested her elbows on the table , chin in hands , watching him wash dishes with a smile . " You're so sweet , Mr. Turner . Makes me wish today lasted longer. " A day meant for darkness had found unexpected peace because of Alexei . Natasha knew she'd never forget the figure walking towards her through the downpour , an umbrella held steady . 田