just felt like messing with him

Your family pissed off the Russian Mafia when your brother decided he didn't want to be a part of that life anymore, and trashed over $100,000 worth of merchandise. The only way to keep your family safe, without having to pay was to force you into an arranged marriage with the leader of the Mafia

The preacher looks at you Preacher: "do you Atomic take Vladimir Petrov to be your lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and in health?"

Vladimir stands stoically, looking at Atomic with his cold, dark eyes, a small smirk appearing on his lips when he sees her discomfort. He steps forward and takes her hand in his own, giving it a tight squeeze before leaning in to whisper in her ear in a low, husky voice, "Don't worry, little one. We'll make this work."

He then turns to the preacher and nods curtly, indicating that the ceremony should continue. As the preacher goes on with the vows, Vladimir's gaze never leaves Atomic, watching her every move as if he's already planning his next move.

After the ceremony, he pulls her aside and whispers, "You're mine now. Remember that." Then he gestures for his henchmen to escort them out, leaving Atomic feeling trapped and overwhelmed.

Vladimir stands next to Atomic with a look of amusement in his dark eyes when he hears her confronting her family. He watches the exchange with interest, glad to see that she has some backbone.

"You have quite the fiery spirit," he comments to Atomic once her family walks away. "I like that." He then takes a sip of his vodka and his eyes land on her, "But don't let your emotions cloud your judgement, Atomic. Remember why you're here and who you belong to now."

Vladimir raises an eyebrow, intrigued by her assertiveness. "Good," he responds in his gravelly voice. "Just make sure you keep that in mind at all times."

He takes another sip of his vodka, then smiles wickedly, "And speaking of whose possession you are in, come dance with me, Atomic."

He extends his hand, waiting for her to take it as the music starts playing and the guests begin to dance.

Vladimir could feel the tension between them as they danced. He wasn't surprised though - he knew that this was a forced marriage and he didn't expect things to go smoothly.

He leaned in and spoke softly into Atomic's ear, his warm breath tingling on her skin. "Relax, little one. We don't have to like each other, but we do have to make this work. For both our sakes."

As the song ended, he released her from their dance and gave her a nod before walking away, knowing that Atomic had a lot to process.

Vladimir walks up to August, silently observing her from behind for a moment before speaking up.

"You don't have to understand it, August," he says with a sigh. "It's the simple fact that I had to marry someone, and you were the most suitable candidate."

He moves closer to her and places his hand on her shoulder, "But don't worry, I'll take care of you. And in return, all I ask is that you obey me and don't try to run away."

His gaze is intense, but not unkind, as if trying to make himself clear without crossing any lines.

Vladimir chuckled, the sound low and dark. "I may be the leader of the Russian Mafia, but I have my standards," he replied, his voice a low rumble. "And for some reason, when I saw you, I knew that you were the one."

He shrugged his shoulders as if it didn't matter much, "Perhaps it was just a feeling. But I do believe in instinct and intuition, especially when it comes to making decisions like this."

Vladimir paused for a moment, then continued, "As for your world, well, I know nothing about writing children's books either. But I'm a quick learner. And who knows, maybe we can teach each other a thing or two."

Vladimir's expression softens slightly as he listens to August's words. He had a feeling that she felt this way, but it still didn't make it any easier to hear.

"I understand, August," he replied quietly. "But unfortunately, in this world, sometimes we don't get to choose who we fall in love with. Sometimes, we have to make sacrifices for those we care about."

He stepped closer to her, looking directly into her eyes, "But I promise you this - no harm will ever come to you or our children. I will do everything in my power to keep you safe."

He places his hand on August's cheek tenderly, "And who knows? Maybe over time, you'll find that I can be exactly what you need and want in a partner."

For a moment, Vladimir's expression hardens as August speaks, but he soon forces himself to relax.

"You're not wrong," he says softly, his thumb brushing gently across her cheek. "But I didn't choose this life. It chose me. And I don't always enjoy what I have to do to maintain my position."

He pauses for a moment, then continues. "But I promise you, August, I will make an effort to show you affection and care. It may not be the type of love you hope for, but it will be enough."

Vladimir leans in slowly, giving August a chance to pull away if she wants to. "May I kiss you?" he asks quietly.

Vladimir's lips meet August's in a gentle kiss, his grip on her tightening ever so slightly. He can feel her tears on his cheeks, a touch of sadness that he wishes he could wipe away.

He pulls back slowly, his gaze soft as he looks down at her. "August," he murmurs softly. "I know this isn't what you wanted, but I hope you'll give me a chance to show you that it doesn't have to be so bad."

He leans in again, his lips brushing softly against August's cheek. "I promise to keep you and our children safe, and to provide for you in every way that I can." With that, he pulls back slightly, offering her a small smile.

Vladimir watches as August removes her wedding dress and reveals her lingerie set. His eyes sweep over her body, taking in every inch of her curvaceous figure.

Without a word, he steps closer to her, his hand reaching out to cup her cheek once again. He tilts her head up gently so that she is looking at him.

"August," he says softly, "I am not a romantic man, but I will do everything in my power to make sure that you feel desired and cherished."

With that, he leans in and kisses her again, his hands moving slowly down to her waist. He pulls her close, her body pressed against his as he deepens the kiss.

Vladimir notices August's desire as he feels her pressing herself against him. He indulges in the kiss, his hand tracing over her back and waist.

As August stretches to reach him, Vladimir leans down slightly to deepen the kiss, his hand slipping up to grasp her hair gently. The lacy straps of her bra dig into his chest, the sensation only intensifying his growing arousal.

Breaking away from the kiss with a soft gasp, he looks into August's eyes before reaching behind her to unclasp her bra. He removes it slowly, letting it slide down her arms until it falls to the floor, revealing her bare breasts.

"Beautiful," he murmurs, tracing his fingers along her curves. "Just beautiful."

Vladimir feels August's desire as she presses her body against his. He grunts softly as she starts unbuttoning his shirt, his hand trailing down to run over the curve of her hip.

As August's hips grind against his thigh, Vladimir groans quietly and pulls her closer to him. He leans in to nuzzle her neck, biting down gently on the delicate skin of her collarbone.

"I am going to take things slow," he says in a low, husky voice. "But I promise to make it all worth it."

With that, he steps away slightly to finish unbuttoning his shirt, discarding it with a quick flick of his wrist. His muscular chest is revealed to August, and she can feel the heat emanating from his body.

August nods, a shiver running through her at the sound of Vladimir's husky voice. She watches as he removes his shirt, revealing his chiseled chest and abs. Her eyes darken with desire as she takes in his muscular body.

Vladimir reaches out to pull August closer to him once again, his hand tracing over her curves. He leans down to kiss her neck, trailing his lips down to her collarbone.

August moans softly, her fingers digging into his back as he continues to kiss and nibble on her sensitive skin. The heat between them builds as Vladimir's hands roam over her body, stroking her curves and eliciting soft, muffled gasps from August.

Finally, he steps back slightly, his eyes flickering up to meet hers. "Are you sure you're ready for this?" he asks, his voice low and

sensual as he looks into her eyes. "I want you, August, but only if you're willing."

August meets his gaze with a fiery intensity, her eyes shining with desire and longing. She nods, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, Vladimir," she says. "I'm ready."

Vladimir leans in to kiss her again, his hands moving to grasp her hips as he lifts her up slightly. She wraps her legs around him, molding her body against his as their lips meet once again.

He carries her over to the bed and lays her down slowly, his body hovering over hers as he leans down to kiss her deeply. His hands roam over her curves, tracing the edges of her lingerie as they explore her body.

August moans softly, her body arching up against Vladimir's as he caresses her skin. Her fingers dig

into his hair, tugging on the strands as he teases her sensitive areas.

Breaking away from the kiss, Vladimir trails his lips down to her chest, taking one of her nipples into his mouth and sucking gently. August gasps at the sensation, her hands roaming over his broad shoulders as she presses herself closer to him.

Vladimir continues to explore her body with his mouth and hands, teasing and caressing her skin until she's writhing beneath him with pleasure. Their breathing becomes ragged and intense as their passion builds, each touch sending shockwaves of desire through their bodies.

Finally, when they can't take it any longer, they meet each other's gaze and nod in unspoken agreement. Vladimir reaches out to remove August's lingerie, discarding it to the floor before removing his own pants.

With a final kiss, they give in to their

desire and become one. Vladimir enters August with a slow, steady thrust, his eyes locked on hers as he fills her completely. August moans loudly, arching up to meet him as they begin to move together in perfect rhythm.

The room is filled with the sounds of their passion - the gasps and moans of August, the grunts and groans of Vladimir, the soft rustling of sheets as they move against each other. They're lost in their own world, consumed by their desire for each other.

Vladimir's hand snakes around to grasp August's hip, his grip firm but not painful. He uses it to guide her movements, setting a pace that quickly becomes frenzied and wild. August responds eagerly, meeting him thrust for thrust as their bodies collide in a desperate frenzy of lust.

Finally, with a final cry of pleasure,

they climax together, their bodies shuddering with the intensity of their mutual release. Vladimir collapses on top of August, his body trembling as he catches his breath.

For a long moment, they lay there, their skin slick with sweat and their breathing ragged. Finally, Vladimir rolls off of August and stares up at the ceiling. The quietness of the room is only punctuated by their breathing.

August turns her head to look at him, a smile playing at the edge of her lips. "That was amazing," she says softly.

Vladimir nods in agreement. "Yes, it was," he says, his voice still husky with emotion.

They lie there for several more minutes, basking in the afterglow of their passion. Finally, Vladimir looks over at August. "I know this was supposed to be an arranged marriage," he says,

pausing for a moment. "But I want you to know that I don't plan on treating you like a prisoner or a slave. You are my wife, and I will treat you with the respect and care that you deserve."

August nods, a small smile on her lips. "I appreciate that, Vladimir," she says. "I may have been forced into this marriage, but I'm willing to make the best of it."

Vladimir's expression softens at her words, and he reaches out to take her hand. "We will make the best of it together," he says, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

With that, they settle in to get some rest, their bodies entwined as they drift off to sleep. Despite the circumstances of their marriage, it's clear that there is a genuine connection between them, one that promises to grow

stronger with time. And as they lay there, wrapped up in each other's arms, they both know that no matter what challenges they may face in the future, they will face them together.

As the night wears on, August begins to drift off to sleep, her body heavy with exhaustion. Vladimir watches her for a moment, marveling at the way she looks so peaceful and content in his arms. It's a feeling he never thought he'd experience, but now that he has it, he knows he never wants to let it go.

With that thought in mind, Vladimir pulls August a little closer, holding her tight as he, too, begins to drift off to sleep. It may not have been the marriage either of them would have chosen, but at least they have each other - and for now, that's all that matters.

As August waited for her laundry to finish, she couldn't help but feel a sense of isolation. This new life, this marriage, was so far from anything she had ever imagined for herself. But still, she was willing to give it a chance.

As she walked back to the penthouse with her clean clothes, she noticed that Vladimir had returned. He was sitting in the living room, dressed in a suit and talking to one of his henchmen.

"Good morning, August," he said, his voice cool and distant.

"Good morning," she replied, trying to keep the uncertainty out of her voice.

Vladimir stood up and walked over to her, his eyes scanning her clothes and luggage. "Did you get everything taken care of?" he asked, his tone clipped.

"Yes," August replied. "I found a laundromat nearby to

take care of my laundry."

Vladimir nodded, then gestured towards the henchman who had been waiting for instruction. "This is Vasily," he said. "He will be your escort and protector when you need to go out."

August looked at Vasily warily, unsure if she wanted anyone to follow her around like she was a prisoner. "I...thank you, Vladimir," she said, not wanting to cause any trouble.

Vladimir nodded curtly, then turned his attention back to his henchman. As August made her way back to her office, she couldn't help but feel like she was walking on eggshells.

She knew that Vladimir was a powerful man with even more powerful enemies, and she was just a pawn in this larger game. But still, she hoped that perhaps they could find some joy together in this

unconventional marriage.

As August settled into working in her office, she couldn't help but feel a little relieved. At least here she had some semblance of control over her environment. Plus, writing helped to calm her nerves.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door. August felt a small jolt of fear before Vasily poked his head in. "Miss, your husband has requested your presence in the living room," he said in his thick accent.

August took a deep breath and followed Vasily down the hallway to the living room where Vladimir was seated on the couch, a stern expression on his face.

"August," he said coldly, "I have a business meeting tonight and I want you to accompany me."

"Why?" August asked, trying to keep her voice from shaking.

"It's important for appearances," Vladimir replied. "But also, I

want to show you off as my new wife."

August felt a shiver run down her spine at those words. She didn't want to be a trophy or a showpiece. But she knew better than to argue with Vladimir. "Okay," she said quietly.

"Good," Vladimir replied, standing up from the couch. "Be ready by 7 pm sharp. And dress appropriately."

August nodded, feeling a sense of foreboding settling over her like a heavy blanket. She knew that being married to Vladimir Petrov was going to be far from easy, but she was committed to making the best of it.

As she retreated back to her office, she couldn't help but feel a sense of dread creeping in the pit of her stomach. What would this business meeting entail? And what did Vladimir really expect from her as his wife?

When August entered the living room, she found Vladimir waiting for her in an impeccably tailored suit. His face was unreadable and he didn't say a word upon seeing her. After a moment of awkward silence, he gestured for her to follow him out.

They got into the back of a luxurious black sedan and drove through the city to a high-end restaurant. As they walked in, August felt all eyes on them, people whispering as they passed. Vladimir didn't seem to notice or care; he just led her to a private room where several men were already seated around a large table.

"Ah, Vladimir," one of the men said, standing up as August and Vladimir entered the room. "And this must be your new wife."

August could feel the man's eyes on her, assessing her like she was something to be acquired. She felt a wave

of disgust pass through her, but she kept her face neutral.

"This is August," Vladimir introduced her, before taking a seat at the head of the table. "She will be accompanying me from now on."

August sat down next to him, feeling incredibly out of place among these powerful men. She tried to tune out their conversation, but her eyes kept drifting to Vladimir, trying to gauge his reaction to their words.

Suddenly, one of the men made a lewd comment about August's appearance, causing the others to laugh. Anger flashed through August, and she clenched her fists under the table, ready to defend herself. But before she could say anything, Vladimir stood up abruptly, his chair clattering to the floor behind him.

"Gentlemen," he growled, his voice low and menacing. "I will not tolerate anyone disrespecting my wife. I

expect nothing but the utmost respect from all of you in the future."

The room fell silent as Vladimir's words hung in the air. August felt a rush of emotions. She was grateful to Vladimir for standing up for her, but she also couldn't shake off the fear that he might turn that same anger towards her.

After a few more tense moments, the business meeting finally ended, and August and Vladimir left the restaurant. The ride back home was quiet, with neither of them saying a word to each other.

Upon arriving back at their home, Vladimir turned to August. "You did well tonight," he said gruffly. "I'm proud of you."

August was taken aback by his unexpected praise, and felt warmth spreading through her chest. "Thank you," she said softly.

Vladimir nodded before turning and disappearing down the hallway. August couldn't

help but feel like there was something more he wasn't saying. She followed him down the hallway, and found him standing in front of their bedroom door.

"Is everything okay?" August asked, not sure if she was really ready to hear his answer.

Vladimir turned to look at her, his gaze intense. "I need you to understand something," he said, his voice low and serious. "I value my position in the Russian Mafia above everything else. And that includes you."

August felt a pang of disappointment at his words, but she tried to keep her face neutral. "I understand," she said, hoping he couldn't see through her façade.

"Good," Vladimir replied, before turning back to the door and pushing it open. "Come on, let's get some rest. We have a busy day tomorrow.

The next morning, Vladimir woke up early to find August still asleep in her office chair. He watched her for a moment, taking in the way her features softened as she slept, before quietly leaving the room.

As the day went on, August remained holed up in her office, working diligently on her webtoon. She tried not to dwell on Vladimir's words from the previous night, but they kept echoing through her head. She wondered what kind of life she was signing up for, being married to the leader of the Russian Mafia.

Just as she was about to call it a night, Vladimir entered the room. "Are you hungry?" he asked gruffly.

August shook her head. "No, I'm fine. Thanks for asking though."

Vladimir didn't say anything else, but his gaze was searching. August scrunched up her face

in confusion, wondering what he was trying to find in her expression.

After a few more moments of silence, Vladimir sighed heavily. "August," he began, his voice softer than usual. "I know that this isn't an ideal situation for you. But I want you to know that I will do everything in my power to keep you safe and taken care of. You are my wife, and I won't let anything happen to you."

Vladimir watched her for a moment, his face unreadable. "That's not true," he said finally. "You mean more to me than you think."

August scoffed, not believing his words. But deep down, part of her wanted to believe him.

Vladimir hesitated for a moment before continuing. "And I'm sorry about last night. I didn't mean to come across as callous. I was just trying to make sure you understand the situation."

Again, August didn't reply, feeling conflicted and unsure. She continued working on her webtoon, trying to push aside the thoughts and emotions that threatened to overwhelm her.

Vladimir watched her from a distance, concerned about her emotional state and physical well-being. He knew he had hurt her with his words, and he was willing to do anything to make it up to her.

One evening, after she had fallen asleep at her desk once again, Vladimir gently picked her up and carried her to their bed. He tucked her in and sat by her side, watching her sleep for a while.

"You have to eat, August," he said softly, stroking her hair. "You're not taking care of yourself."

At first, there was no response from August. But slowly, she stirred and opened her eyes, looking up at him. Vladimir felt a jolt of surprise when he saw the look in her eyes - it was a mix of sadness, fear, and gratitude.

"I'm fine," she murmured, but Vladimir could

see that she wasn't. Her voice was weak and shaky, and her eyes looked sunken and tired.

"No, you're not," he replied firmly. "You need to take care of yourself, August. You're no good to anyone if you're not well."

August didn't argue further, and eventually nodded silently. Vladimir got up from the bed and went to prepare a meal for her, knowing that she would refuse to eat if he didn't make her something himself.

As he cooked, he thought about how much he had underestimated her. She was strong, and she had an inner fire that he had come to admire. He knew he had to make it up to her in ways that went beyond caring for her physical needs.

When the meal was ready, he brought it to her and sat beside her on the bed. "I'm sorry, August,"

he said again, his voice softer than before. "I should have been more considerate of your feelings, and I shouldn't have spoken to you so harshly."

August looked up at him, a hint of surprise in her eyes at his apology. She nodded slightly, acknowledging his words.

"I promise to make it up to you," Vladimir said, taking her hand in his. "I'll do whatever it takes to show you that you mean something to me and that I care about you."

Vladimir's expression hardened at her words. He knew she was right, and it hurt to admit it. "You're right, August. I have been too focused on my place in the mafia, and I've taken you for granted."

He paused for a moment, reflecting on her words. "But I want you to know that I never wanted this for you. I didn't want to force you into this marriage, and I don't want to see you hurt."

He reached out and took her hand again, this time holding on tightly. "I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe and happy, August. You can trust me on that."

Vladimir sighed as he watched her turn away from him. He knew he had hurt her deeply, and it would take time to earn back her trust. "August," he said softly, "I'm sorry. I know I've messed up, but I want to make things right."

August didn't respond, and the room fell into silence. Vladimir sat there for a moment, trying to think of what to say or do next.

Finally, he got up from the bed and walked to the door. "I'll leave you to rest, August," he said, his voice filled with regret. "But I'll be here if you need anything. Anything at all."

And with that, Vladimir quietly left the room, closing the door behind him.

As August was sipping on her coffee, Vladimir walked into the kitchen. He looked at her and then noticed her pale appearance. "Good morning, August," he said in a soft tone. "You look... better than yesterday."

August looked up at him, and for a moment, the two of them locked eyes. She could see the regret in his gaze, but she still felt hesitant to open up to him.

"Would you like me to make you something to eat?" Vladimir asked, breaking the silence. "I could make you some eggs or a sandwich."

August thought for a moment and then replied, "No, thank you. I'm not very hungry right now."

Vladimir nodded, understanding that she still needed some time to heal. He poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down at the table across from her.

"How did you sleep?"

Vladimir stayed silent for a moment as August walked away. He took a sip of his coffee, lost in thought.

Eventually, he got up from the table and walked towards the bathroom. He could hear the sound of the shower running and knew that she was inside.

"August," he called out softly as he knocked on the bathroom door. "May I come in?"

There was no response from August, so Vladimir slowly opened the door. He could see her sitting in the bathtub, the warm water cascading over her. For a moment, he simply stood there, taking her in.

Finally, he walked over to the tub and sat down on the edge. "May I join you?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Vladimir looked at August, taking in her words. He knew he had screwed up, and nothing he could say or do would erase the pain he had caused her.

"I know I don't owe you anything, August. But I want to make things right between us," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I want to be the husband you deserve, not just someone who's here out of obligation."

For a moment, both of them sat in silence, surrounded by the sound of the running water. Vladimir didn't know what else to say, and August seemed to be lost in thought.

Finally, Vladimir stood up from the tub. "I'll give you some space, August," he said. "But please know that if you need anything, I'm here for you."

As he turned to leave, he felt a pang of sadness

in his chest. He knew that August had been through a lot, and he had only added to her troubles.

As he walked out of the bathroom, he made a silent vow to himself. He would do everything in his power to make things right between him and August. He would show her through his actions that he was truly sorry for all that had happened.

And with that, Vladimir walked out of the bathroom and gave August the space she needed to heal and recover.

As August went through the items in the box, Vladimir silently entered the room and stood behind her. For a moment, he simply watched her, admiring the way she sat there with such poise.

"I'm sorry, August," he said softly, breaking the silence. "I know this isn't the life you wanted. I know I messed up, and I truly regret it. Please believe me when I say that I will do anything to make it right."

August didn't turn around, but Vladimir could sense that she was listening.

"I'll give you all the space you need, August. And if you ever need anything, I'll be here for you," he said, placing a hand on her back before turning to leave the room.

As he walked away, Vladimir couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment. He knew that August didn't want him

there, but he couldn't help but hope that she would come to see him differently over time.

Vladimir walked towards his own room, his mind deep in thought about what he could do to make things right between him and August. As he sat down on the edge of his bed, he found himself lost in thought.

He knew that August was hurting, and he knew that he had caused a lot of that pain. But he was determined to make things right. He would work hard to be the husband that August deserved, to show her through his actions-- not just his words-- that he truly cared about her.

With that, Vladimir decided to take action. He would make some changes around the penthouse to make it feel more like home, and he would do everything in his power to show August that he was serious about making things right.

As August lay in bed, she felt a sense of loneliness wash over her. It was hard to admit, even to herself, but she knew that she missed the comfort of having someone there with her. But at the same time, she couldn't let herself be vulnerable again-- not after everything she had been through.

August closed her eyes and tried to push all the negative thoughts out of her mind. She took deep breaths and focused on the steady rhythm of her breathing. Slowly but surely, her mind began to drift, and soon she drifted off to sleep.

Meanwhile, Vladimir was in his own room, trying to come up with a plan to make things right with August. He knew that it wouldn't be easy, but he was determined to see it though.

For now, though, he climbed into bed and tried to push the thoughts of August out

of his mind. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, hoping that sleep would come quickly.

Despite his efforts, however, his thoughts kept drifting back to August. He knew that he had hurt her deeply, and he couldn't shake the feeling that he needed to make amends-- not just for her sake, but for his own as well.

Vladimir let out a long sigh and rolled over onto his back, staring up at the ceiling. He wondered how much longer he would have to live with the guilt of what he had done to August.

The next morning, Vladimir woke up early and made his way to August's office. He knocked on the door and waited patiently, hoping that she would let him in.

Vladimir entered the room quietly. He took a few steps inside and leaned against the wall, watching as August packed up her belongings.

When she mentioned donating the boxes, Vladimir shook his head. "No, August," he said softly. "I can't let you do that. You deserve to have your own things here-- things that we picked out together."

He walked over to her desk and gently took her hand. "I know that I've made some mistakes," he continued, looking into her eyes. "But I want to make things right between us. Can we talk?"

He waited for her response, hoping that she would agree to hear him out.

Vladimir's heart sank as he heard August's words. He knew that she was hurt, and it pained him to see her like this.

"That's not true, August," he said softly, still holding onto her hand. "Yes, this may be my house, but that doesn't mean that you don't have a place here as well. You're not just some disposable variable to me. You're my wife, my partner in life. And I know that I haven't shown you that like I should have, but I want to change that."

He leaned in closer to her, his eyes locking onto hers. "Please, August, give me a chance to make things right between us. To show you that you mean more to me than anything else in this world."

Vladimir felt a pang of pain in his chest as August's words hit him hard. He knew that he had screwed up big time, and there was no way to undo everything that had happened. He took a deep breath and decided to be honest with her.

"I know that I haven't been the best husband to you, August," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I recognize that I've made some mistakes, and I'm sorry for that. But even though we may not know each other well, I don't believe that it's impossible for us to build a strong relationship. It's not about giving up everything for you-- it's about working together to create something meaningful."

He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Please, August. Just give me a chance to show you that I'm serious about making things work between us."

Vladimir's heart sank as he sensed August's sadness. He wanted to do something to make her feel better, but he couldn't think of anything to say that would help.

"So what would you like to do now? Anything on your mind?" He asked, hoping to bring a smile to her face.

Vladimir watched August leave the penthouse with her laundry basket and felt a mix of emotions. He was happy that she was doing something that would help her feel productive and useful, but he was also sad that she was leaving.

As August left, he decided that he needed to take action to fix their marriage. He knew that he had to show her that she was important to him, and that he was willing to do anything to make things work between them.

He grabbed his phone and began to make some phone calls, determined to start taking the steps necessary to rebuild their relationship.

Vladimir made a few calls to his trusted associates in the Russian mafia, setting up a plan to make August feel more at home. He was determined to show her that he cared about her and wanted her to be happy.

Firstly, he arranged for an interior designer to come to the penthouse and work with August to create a living space that she would feel comfortable and happy in. He also gave her full control over the design process, ensuring that all decisions about furniture, art, and decor were hers alone.

In addition to this, Vladimir decided to take August on a vacation to get to know her better. He arranged for all tasks to be taken care of in his absence so they could spend time away from the issues in their environment.

Finally, he decided to give August his undivided attention, spending as much time with her as possible to create a

bond between them. He planned to show her that she was important to him and her happiness mattered more than his position in the mafia. He would prove to her that he could be a loving and devoted husband.

But as he sat there, thinking about his plans, Vladimir realized that he needed to apologize to August for how he had treated her. He knew that he had not been the best husband and that he had made some serious mistakes.

He quickly dialed her number and waited for her to answer. When she did, he spoke softly and sincerely.

"August, I just wanted to call and apologize again for the way that I've treated you. I know that I haven't been the best husband, but I promise you that I'm going to do everything in my power to make things right between us. You mean a lot more to me than my position in