OLEG'S POV

　　I got out of bed and stretched, feeling the familiar stiffness from our midnight endeavors. This woman is quite needy when it comes to these nightly escapades. I turned around, hoping she was asleep, but to my surprise, she was still awake.

　　"Kate? I thought you were sleeping," I said, genuinely surprised.

　　I thought I had tired her out. How was she still awake after everything?

　　"I want to sleep, but I know that you'll leave me again if I go to sleep. You never stay with me." She pouted, her lower lip jutting out in a way that might have been cute if it weren't so frustrating.

　　I rolled my eyes internally. Why is she so clingy? Why are women like this?

　　"I have to leave, Kate. You know, sweetheart, that I can't stay here for long. Someone might see us," I tried to make her understand, but she was not having it.

　　"You always say that," she retorted, her voice tinged with hurt. "But it feels like you just don't want to be with me. Why can't you stay, just this once?"

　　I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Kate, it's not that simple. We both know the risks involved. If someone finds out, it could ruin everything."

　　"But I don't care about the risks. I just want you here," she insisted, her eyes pleading.

　　The weaker she gets, the needier she is becoming. It is maybe because she thinks she'll die soon.

　　"Kate, please. You know I care about you, but I can't afford to be reckless. Not now," I said, trying to keep my tone gentle but firm. I was trying not to scream at her.

　　"Then why do you keep coming back if you're so afraid of being caught?" she challenged, sitting up and crossing her arms not afraid of her nudity.

　　I mean we have slept together so many times, that we don't even care anymore.

　　"Because I..." I hesitated, searching for the right words, I can't spoil everything after coming too close to my goal. "Because I enjoy our time together. But you have to understand, it's complicated. My position, my responsibilities—"

　　"Complicated?" she cut in. "It's always complicated with you. I'm tired of being your secret, of you sneaking in and out like a thief."

　　"Kate, you are being unreasonable at the moment," I said, trying to keep my frustration in check. "You know we both can't risk anything now. We have come so far. If we make any mistake now, we might lose everything. Don't you want what's best for me? For us?"

　　I tried to appeal to her emotions, hoping she'd see reason. For a moment, she seemed to consider my words, her expression softening.

　　"Fine, then mark me," she demanded suddenly, catching me completely off guard.

　　"Mark you?" I repeated, stunned by her request. "Kate, you know that's not possible."

　　Her eyes narrowed, determination replacing the hurt. "Why not? If you truly care about me, if you want to protect me, then mark me. Prove to me that I'm more than just a secret and I mean more to you."

　　"You mean so much more to me, Kate," I said softly, trying to convey that my feelings are real. "I'm only waiting for the right time to mark you and make you mine. You know that I love you, right? Trust me when I say that I want to mark you in front of everyone, when the time is right."

　　Her eyes softened, and a smile spread across her face. She leaned in to kiss me, and I deepened the kiss to make her believe that she is the only one for me.

　　As I pulled back, I studied her face, taking in her beauty. There was no denying that she was captivating, but my true goal was far more important than she would ever be.

　　"I need to leave, but I will be back soon," I said, gently brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "Go to sleep and rest. And don't forget to drink that," I said, pointing towards the drink on the bedside table. My voice was gentle, filled with false concern. In reality, the drink was laced with poison—a crucial part of our plan.

　　Kate nodded, her expression resigned but determined. She knew what she had to do. We both did.

　　"I will," she said quietly, picking up the glass. "I know it's necessary."

　　"I know you do," I replied, my heart a mix of admiration and cold calculation. "This will ensure everything goes smoothly. We're so close to achieving our goal."

　　She looked at me, eyes filled with a mix of trust and fear. "Just promise me it will all be worth it in the end."

　　"I promise," I said, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "Once this is over, nothing will stand in our way."

　　Kate took a deep breath, lifted the glass, and drank the poison in one steady motion. I watched her, a knot tightening in her stomach despite my resolve. She placed the empty glass back on the table, her hands trembling slightly.

　　"Go to sleep now," I murmured, tucking the blanket around her. "Rest well."