The Bride Of The Devil-Chapter 51: The Snowfall Of Memories

Olga sat on the edge of her bed, her eyes quietly watching the snow fall outside her window. The world was quiet, still, and white. The snowflakes floated down like feathers from the sky, piling gently on the trees, the rooftops, and the frozen ground below. It was a beautiful sight, but her heart was far away from it.

Her fingers were wrapped loosely around a half-empty cup of tea. It had gone cold. Just like her thoughts. Her eyes didn’t blink as they followed the snow, and soon, her mind drifted far away.

To a different time. To a day that had never stopped haunting her.

---

It was nearly twenty years ago. She was still young, still in her twenties. Back then, she was the Grand Duchess, and the palace in Svetlana was alive and full of warmth and people. It was a different time. A different life.

That afternoon, she had been sitting quietly in her chambers, going over some documents, when a gentle knock sounded at the door.

"Your Highness," a servant called softly from the other side. "Someone wishes to speak with you."

She frowned, a little annoyed by the interruption. "Who is it?"

The servant hesitated. "She didn’t give a name, but... she says it’s important."

Olga sighed. She got up, adjusted her long gown, and left the room, not knowing what was waiting for her.

When she entered the receiving room, her heart stopped for a second.

There, standing near the fireplace, was a woman she had not seen in years.

Marina.

But she was no longer the same person Olga remembered. She was thin – painfully thin. Her skin was pale, her lips dry and cracked. Her once bright eyes were now dark and sunken. She looked like a ghost of herself.

And in her arms, she carried a child.

A little boy. No older than four.

His face was curious, his eyes wide. He clung tightly to his mother’s dress as he looked around the room.

"Are we going to stay here, Mama?" he asked in a small voice.

Marina gave a weak smile and knelt down in front of him, brushing his soft hair gently.

"Hmm," she nodded softly. "This pretty lady is your aunty. She’s going to take care of us. She’s going to make sure you eat lots of cake and sweets every day."

The little boy’s eyes lit up. "Really?"

Marina nodded again. "Yes, really."

Olga’s heart tightened with rage.

"How dare you," she snapped, her voice sharp. "How dare you return here, after everything you did. Did you forget?"

Marina didn’t flinch. She didn’t raise her voice. She simply looked down and said softly, "I know."

Olga continued, her voice growing louder, filled with pain and anger. "After everything you did to me—you show your face here like nothing happened?"

Marina looked up, her eyes full of sadness. "I didn’t come to ask for forgiveness," she whispered. "I came only to leave him here. This is his home, after all."

Olga’s voice was cold and sharp. "The Grand Duke is away. And just as we agreed, he is to know nothing about this child."

Marina lowered her head. "I know. But I have no choice."

"Please, Olga." freeweɓnøvel~com

Olga stepped back. Her voice trembled with fury. "You expect me to take care of him? You expect me to raise my husband’s son? The child you had with my husband?"

Her hands were shaking. "You must be mad, Marina. Leave immediately!"

She turned to leave the room.

Marina tried to follow, but her body gave way. Her knees buckled and she collapsed to the floor.

Olga stopped in her tracks. She turned sharply. "What’s wrong with you?" she asked. "You look so pale."

Marina looked up, tears already falling down her cheeks.

"At first, I thought it was just a stomach ache," she said, her voice barely more than a whisper. "But then it got worse. I couldn’t eat. Couldn’t keep anything down. The physician said it’s a disease of the stomach... the old kind."

She paused, trying to steady her breath.

"Colon cancer," she added softly.

Olga stared at her, her heart pounding.

"I don’t have much time, Olga," Marina continued. "I came here because I have no one else. Please. He’s only four. When I’m gone, he’ll be alone. He’ll starve."

She lowered her head until it touched the cold floor. "I know I don’t deserve your kindness. But please, don’t punish this child for my mistake. Please, Olga."

She sobbed so quietly it hurt to listen. Her shoulders shook, her hands trembled against the floor.

Olga stood frozen.

Her chest ached. Her hands clenched. A storm of feelings tore through her. Sadness. Bitterness. Anger. Pain. Betrayal. Hate.

But also something else.

Pity.

And something deeper. Something that hurt even more.

Love.

The little boy was looking around the room, confused. His small voice broke the silence.

"Why are you crying, mother?"

Marina wiped her eyes quickly and pulled him into her arms. Her hands trembled as she stroked his hair.

"I’m happy," she said with a soft smile. "I’m just very happy."

She kissed his cheek and hugged him tightly, holding him like she never wanted to let go.

"Everything is going to be okay from today," she said, her voice filled with emotion. "You’re going to be happy here."

She laughed gently through her tears. "You’ll have cakes and sweets. You’ll run through the halls. You’ll be safe."

The boy smiled faintly and nodded.

Marina turned to Olga, her eyes meeting hers one last time.

"Thank you," she whispered. "Thank you very much."

----

Ivan stood quietly by the window in his chambers, his hand resting against the cold glass. Outside, the snow continued to fall gently, covering the trees in a soft white blanket. The branches bent slightly under the weight, and everything looked peaceful—too peaceful.

But inside him, there was no peace.

His eyes followed the falling snow, but his thoughts were far away. That day... that painful day from so long ago had returned to his mind without warning. Just like Olga, the memory still haunted him.

He had been only four. Small, confused, and cold. He remembered the weight of his mother’s arms wrapped tightly around him. Her hands had been trembling. Her voice soft, but not steady. She had promised him cake, sweets, and happiness. She had said he would be safe here.

He hadn’t known she was saying goodbye.

And Olga... she had looked like she didn’t want him there. Her eyes were hard. Her voice colder than the snow. He had clung to his mother’s skirts, scared of the strange place, scared of the strange woman.

Now, all these years later, he understood why. He was the reminder of everything Olga had lost. And yet... she let him stay.

The snow outside blurred in his vision. He didn’t know if it was the cold or the memory that made his chest feel heavy.

He stayed there, silent, still, and alone with the past.

Some memories, no matter how far you run, never really leave.

This content is taken from free web nov𝒆l.com