Chapter 6 - Viktor Told Me He Loved Me in the Same Diner Where Everything Began—Then Someone Shot Him Before I Could AnswerThe discovery changed everything.
The Volkov family trust belonged to Misha and Lucia.
But I was their legal guardian.
That meant Stefan's entire plan was pointless.
Unless Viktor died.
Then the children would come to me.
And the empire would be controlled by someone outside the family.
Me.
That made me the most dangerous person in Chicago.
Viktor wanted me protected.
I refused.
“I don't want bodyguards following me everywhere.”
“You have no choice.”
“Yes, I do.”
“No.”
“You don't own me.”
He went quiet.
Then smiled.
“No.”
“But?”
“But I love you.”
The words stopped me.
“What?”
He looked at me.
“I love you.”
I couldn't breathe.
He stepped closer.
“I tried to stop it.”
“When?”
“The night Misha came to the diner.”
I laughed nervously.
“That was not love.”
“I know.”
“But?”
“You gave my son food when everyone else wanted him gone.”
He took my hand.
“You made him feel safe.”
He touched my cheek.
“Then you made me feel safe.”
I cried.
“I don't know how to do this.”
“Neither do I.”
“You're a billionaire.”
“That doesn't help.”
“You're terrifying.”
“So are you.”
I laughed.
He kissed me.
It was gentle.
Careful.
Nothing like the rumors about him.
For the first time, I felt completely safe.
Then—
a gunshot.
Viktor jerked.
Blood spread across his shoulder.
I screamed.
He fell.
Security rushed in.
The shooter escaped.
At the hospital, doctors stabilized him.
I sat beside his bed.
His eyes opened.
“Amelia.”
“I'm here.”
“Are you hurt?”
I laughed through tears.
“You're the one who was shot.”
“I know.”
“Stop asking.”
He smiled faintly.
“You didn't answer me.”
“What?”
“When I said I loved you.”
I took his hand.
“I love you too.”
His eyes closed.
Not from pain.
From relief.
The news spread.
The Volkov heir had been shot.
The city panicked.
The board attempted to remove him.
The trust prevented it.
I became guardian.
The legal battle lasted months.
And through it all, Misha and Lucia stayed with me.
They called me family.
Viktor recovered.
But the attack changed him.
He no longer wanted revenge.
He wanted peace.
He began dismantling the criminal side of his empire.
He sold businesses.
Closed illegal operations.
Turned legitimate holdings into foundations.
I opened a second Magnolia Diner.
He funded it.
I named the new children's program after my grandmother.
Misha helped.
Lucia designed the logo.
Everything changed.
But Stefan's final accomplice remained free.
Viktor's mother.
May you like
She escaped custody.
And she disappeared.
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