31

For a long time, Nikolai was frozen and kept staring at the shelf before him. Every other thing around him didn't matter, just the shelf before him.

Emotion swelled within his chest, catching in his throat and leaving him breathless. He actually had a hint that Adira had been secretly buying clothes for him, but he had no idea they were this

He extended his hands and grazed his fingers over the soft fabrics. So much quality, so much beauty. They were definitely going to look good on him. He couldn't believe she had been buying so many clothes for him but never had the courage to give them to him. And he wouldn't even blame her. He had been scaring her enough.

He imagined how hurt she must be knowing she couldn't see him in those dresses. He blamed himself for trapping her in a loveless marriage, but it was for the best.

Taking a deep breath, he stepped away from the shelf and looked around for what he was looking for. He soon found the shelf containing her casual dresses and picked ou