Rejected: A love story-Chapter 145: The proposal

Dmitri turned to face his father, his exasperation boiling over.

"Это не только её выбор! Это касается всей семьи. Мы не можем просто так согласиться." (It’s not just her choice! This concerns the whole family. We can’t just agree so easily.)

Yelena held up a hand, her voice steady and commanding. "Dmitri." She waited until he turned back to her, his features still angry, before she went on. "Не волнуйся так сильно. Мы знаем Николая с тех пор, как он был ребёнком. Он всегда был предан нашей семье. Виктория в надёжных руках." (Don’t worry so much. We’ve known Nikolai since he was a child. He has always been loyal to our family. Viktoria is in good hands.)

Dmitri opened his mouth to protest, but Yelena’s piercing look cut him off. Ivan sat back in his seat, nodding his head in agreement. "Мать права. Мы должны доверять Виктории. Если она согласна, то я благословляю этот союз." (Your mother is right. We must trust Viktoria. If she agrees, then I give my blessing to this union.)

Nikolai let out a deep breath, his shoulders easing back as the reality of Ivan’s words settled in. But Dmitri wasn’t finished.

"И что, если она согласится? Ты уверен, что сможешь дать ей то, что ей нужно? Ты уверен, что сможешь справиться с её воспоминаниями, если они вернутся?" (And what if she agrees? Are you sure you can give her what she needs? Are you sure you can handle her memories if they come back?)

Nikolai’s eyes locked onto Dmitri’s, his voice unwavering. "Я уверен. Я сделаю все, чтобы она была счастлива. Её воспоминания не изменят того, как я к ней отношусь." (I’m sure. I will do everything to make her happy. Her memories will not change how I feel about her.)

Dmitri’s jaw clenched, his agitation simmering just below the surface. "Ты говоришь это теперь, но ты не знаешь, что она вспомнит.

Yelena’s voice broke the tension once again, calm and resolute. "Дмитрий, хватит. Ты слишком драматизируешь. Николай всегда был честным и преданным. Виктория в надёжных руках, и мы должны доверять ей." (Dmitri, enough. You’re being overly dramatic. Nikolai has always been honest and loyal. Viktoria is in good hands, and we must trust her.)

Dmitri turned away, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. "Если она согласится, я ничего не скажу. Но если ты её предашь, Николай, я буду рядом." (If she agrees, I won’t say anything. But if you betray her, Nikolai, I’ll be here.)

Nikolai’s expression didn’t change. "Я никогда не предам её." (I will never betray her.)

Yelena took a deep breath and looked at Ivan. "Что ж, я думаю, нам стоит спросить саму Викторию, когда она вернётся домой. Если она согласна, то я благословляю этот союз." (Well, I think we should ask Viktoria herself when she returns home. If she agrees, then I give my blessing to this union.)

Ivan nodded in agreement, his stern face easing into a slight smile. "Да, это разумно. Мы должны услышать её мнение." (Yes, that’s reasonable. We must hear her opinion.)

Nikolai nodded, his shoulders easing a little. Dmitri’s concerns were understandable, and Nikolai didn’t blame him for wanting to protect his sister. But Nikolai knew that his love for Viktoria was true.

He could already imagine Viktoria’s face when he asked her. The way her eyes would sparkle, the way her lips would curl up in that shy, sweet smile she always gave him.

The large oak door swung open, and Viktoria’s soft laughter drifted in before she entered the room.

She was flushed from the cold, her scarf slightly disheveled as she carried herself with a sense of lightheartedness. Behind her, a maid struggled to balance several bags of groceries, looking flustered but trying to keep up.

"I told you I could carry more," Viktoria said over her shoulder, her tone playful but kind. The maid looked sheepish, clearly not used to Viktoria wanting to help with such things.

As Viktoria turned toward the room, her eyes immediately landed on Nikolai. Her expression shifted in an instant—her smile widened, her whole face lighting up with unmistakable joy. "Nikolai!" she exclaimed, her voice full of warmth.

Without hesitation, she dropped the bags she was carrying and quickly went toward him. The posture of Nikolai straightened as she approached him, and for an instant, the tension in the room was forgotten. Viktoria put her arms around him in a shy but genuine hug, her head barely reaching his chest.

Nikolai looked at Yelena and Ivan, who were watching the scene intently, before giving her a hug back. His arms went around her protectively, and his face softened as he held her.

"You’re here," she said quietly, pulling back enough to look up at him. Her smile was still radiant, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Почему ты здесь? Это сюрприз." (Why are you here? this is a surprise.)

Nikolai leaned his head slightly sideways, staring at her in confusion. "Your Russia is coming back to you huh?" He asked.

Viktoria smiled weakly. "I have learned a few words. So, what brings you here?"

Nikolai opened his mouth to speak, but the words didn’t quite come out. His eyes shifted towards Yelena and Ivan. The tension of the previous conversation hung in the air. Dmitri’s eyes seemed to be boring into him from across the room.

"I..." Nikolai started, but his words faded away as he searched for the right words.

Dmitri, who had been standing against the window frame all this while, seemed ready to speak. However, Nikolai spoke first, his words rushing out in a jumble. "Я пришел за тобой," Nikolai said, his voice firm but laced with a hint of urgency. (I came for you.)

Viktoria tilted her head, her smile changing to one of silent inquiry. "За мной?" she repeated, her voice laced with light inquiry. (For me?)

"Yes," Nikolai replied quickly, his confidence renewed as he focused on her. "Я хотел забрать тебя. Провести с тобой время." (I wanted to take you out. Spend time with you.)

Her cheeks turned a lovely shade of pink, and she looked down quickly, clearly pleased but slightly embarrassed. "oh," she murmured softly, her smile returning as she gazed up at him.

From the corner of the room, Dmitri let out a soft but distinctly audible sigh of frustration. "Он не просто так здесь," he muttered under his breath, his words laced with venom that caused Viktoria to turn his way. (He’s not just here for that.)

"Дмитрий," Yelena snapped sharply, her voice laced with warning. She shot her son a pointed look, silencing him before he could continue.

Viktoria looked at them, her eyebrows scrunched up in confusion. "what’s going on?" she asked, her voice laced with worry.

"Nothing," Nikolai said hastily, his voice comforting as he touched her lightly on the arm. He gave her a small smile, one that seemed to put her at ease. "I simply wanted to spend the day with you. If you do not mind, of course."

Her smile returned, and she nodded enthusiastically. "Конечно, я не против," she said, her voice low but full of excitement. (Of course, I don’t mind.)

"You just got home," Ivan said, his voice low but commanding.

Viktoria turned to her father, her voice lighthearted but convincing. "We will not be long. I simply need to put away the groceries and change."

Before Ivan could speak, Yelena began to speak, her voice soft but firm. "Go on, Viktoria," she said, a small smile on her face.

Viktoria smiled at her mother and then turned to face Nikolai. "Wait for me here," she said, a bright tone in her voice as she motioned for the maid to follow her out of the room.

As the door closed behind her, the room was silent once again, the earlier tension returning. Nikolai turned to face Yelena and Ivan, a serious expression on his face.

It was Dmitri who spoke first, his voice low but cutting. "Ты думаешь, что сможешь просто увести её, не сказав ей правду?" he said. (Do you think you can just take her out without telling her the truth?)

Nikolai remained calm and didn’t say anything, his eyes locked on Dmitri.

"Дмитрий," Yelena repeated, her voice firm. "Ты обещал оставить это Виктории." (Dmitri, you promised this to Viktoria.)

Dmitri sighed in frustration, shaking his head but saying nothing else.

Ivan leaned back in his seat, his face unreadable as he looked at Nikolai. "Ты должен сказать ей, Николай," (You’ll have to tell her, Nikolai.) he said at last, his voice calm but full of portent.

"I will," Nikolai said softly,

Yelena gazed at him, and for an instant, her face appeared softer, but she didn’t speak.

Immediately, the door opened again, and Viktoria entered the room. Viktoria was now wearing a simple but elegant dress, with her hair styled and her cheeks flushed with excitement.

"Я готова," she said, looking at Nikolai with a radiant smile. (I’m ready.)

Nikolai offered Viktoria his arm, and she took it willingly.

As soon as they walked out, Yelena turned to Dmitri.

"Дмитрий," Yelena said finally, her voice sharp and cutting through the silence. (Dmitri.)

He didn’t turn around, his jaw tightening as he stared at the frost creeping along the glass. "Что?" he muttered. (What?)

Yelena exchanged a look with Ivan before speaking again, her tone firm. "Твое поведение сегодня было недопустимо. Ты выставил себя глупцом." (Your behavior today was unacceptable. You made a fool of yourself.)

Dmitri’s shoulders stiffened, but he still didn’t turn. "Я защищал её," he said, his voice low but defensive. (I was protecting her.)

"Защищал её от чего?" Ivan’s deep voice cut through the room like a blade. _(Protecting her from what?)

Dmitri finally turned, his expression stormy. "От него. От его намерений. Вы сами знаете, что он слишком торопится. А если она вспомнит что-то, что всё изменит? Что если он ей не подходит?" _(From him. From his intentions. You both know he’s rushing things. What if she remembers something that changes everything? What if he’s not right for her?)_

Ivan’s gaze hardened, his voice dropping dangerously low. "Это не твое дело решать, кто ей подходит. Ты её брат, а не её опекун." _(It’s not your place to decide who’s right for her. You’re her brother, not her guardian.)

Yelena leaned forward slightly, her sharp blue eyes fixed on Dmitri. "Ты ведёшь себя так, будто она твоя жена, а не твоя сестра," she said, her words cutting through the air like ice. _(You’re acting as though she’s your wife, not your sister.)_

Dmitri’s face darkened, his fists clenching at his sides. "Как вы можете так говорить? Это оскорбительно." (How can you say that? That’s insulting.)

"It’s the truth," Yelena shot back, her tone unwavering. "Если ты не будешь осторожен со своими словами и действиями, люди начнут думать именно так. И ты знаешь, что это будет позором для нашей семьи." (If you’re not careful with your words and actions, people will start to think exactly that. And you know that would be a disgrace to our family.)

Dmitri’s jaw tightened, his anger bubbling just beneath the surface. "Я никогда не думал о ней таким образом," he snapped, his voice rising. (I’ve never thought of her that way.)

"Тогда прекрати вести себя так," Ivan said, his voice calm but heavy with authority. (Then stop acting like it.)

Dmitri turned away again, his hands clenched into fists as he stared out the window. "Я просто хочу, чтобы она была счастлива," he muttered, his voice quieter now. (I just want her to be happy.)

"And she is," Yelena said firmly. "С Николай. Это её выбор, и мы должны его уважать." _(With Nikolai. That’s her choice, and we must respect it.)

Ivan leaned forward, his tone softening slightly but still carrying the weight of his words. "Мы все хотим, чтобы Виктория была счастлива. Но твоя ревность и твоя агрессия не помогут ей. Ты должен доверять ей." (We all want Viktoria to be happy. But your jealousy and your aggression won’t help her. You need to trust her.)

Dmitri didn’t respond, his gaze fixed on the snow outside. Yelena sighed softly, exchanging another look with Ivan before rising from her chair.

"Подумай о том, что мы сказали," she said, her voice gentler now. "Для её блага. И для твоего." (Think about what we’ve said. For her sake. And for yours.)