Chapter 21 - Valentina
Chapter 21 – Valentina
I wake up to a stark, white room. For a moment, I wonder if the rescue was just a dream and if I’m actually dead. The sterile scent of antiseptic fills my nostrils, and the steady beeping of machines surrounds me. Slowly, I realize I'm in a hospital. Relief washes over me.
Dmitri sits beside me, his hand enveloping mine. His eyes are closed, his face showing signs of fatigue and pain. Bandages cover parts of his body, evidence of the fight he endured. Why didn't he get admitted? My heart aches seeing him like this.
I shift slightly in the bed, and his eyes snap open. "Are you in pain?" he asks immediately.
I shake my head no. His hand brings mine to his lips so he can place a tender kiss on my knuckles.
"The baby?" My voice comes out as a whisper.
He smiles softly, brushing a strand of hair away from my face. "The doctor said our baby is a fighter. He's hanging on just fine."
Tears blur my vision as I take in his words. I cry, not out of sadness but sheer relief and joy. Dmitri squeezes my hand gently.
"Don't cry," he murmurs softly. "Everything is over now."
"I love you," I say through my tears, my voice choked with emotion.
"I love you, too," he replies, leaning in to press a gentle kiss on my forehead.
I lie back on the hospital bed, my body still trembling from the aftershocks of our ordeal. Dmitri's hand never leaves mine, his touch grounding me in this new reality. I look into his eyes, searching for answers.
"What happened?" I ask, my voice shaky.
Dmitri takes a deep breath, his gaze never wavering from mine. "We managed to capture Mikhail," he says. "But your father... he got away."
A chill runs down my spine at the mention of my father. "What are we going to do?" I ask.
"That's for me to worry about," Dmitri replies firmly. "Right now, you need to rest and recover."
Before I can protest further, the door swings open, and Alexei walks in with a basket in his hands. His eyes immediately find Dmitri.
"Why aren't you resting like the doctor instructed?" he asks, a hint of exasperation in his voice.
"I'm fine," Dmitri says dismissively, though I can see the fatigue in his face.
Alexei shakes his head but doesn't push further. He sets the basket down on the bedside table and turns to me with a warm smile. "What do you want? I've got fruit, snacks... whatever you need."
I think for a moment before answering. "Oranges," I say softly. "I'd love some oranges."
Alexei nods and starts peeling an orange for me, his movements precise and careful. As he works, I can't help but wonder how he managed to find us in time.
"How did you get there when you did?" I ask, curiosity getting the better of me.
Alexei glances at Dmitri before answering. "I followed the men who took Dmitri out of Sergei's house," he explains. "But I couldn't make any move until my reinforcement arrived."
He finishes peeling the orange and hands it to me with a smile. As I take a bite, the sweet citrus flavor floods my mouth, bringing a sense of normalcy back into my life.
I nibble on the orange slice, savoring its sweet tang as Dmitri and Alexei exchange a silent conversation with their eyes. There's an unspoken understanding between them, something deep and intrinsic. My stomach tightens, sensing that something important is about to happen.
"Dmitri," I begin hesitantly, my voice barely above a whisper. "Do you need to go?"
He looks at me, those striking eyes filled with a mix of regret and determination. "I have to take care of something important," he admits, his hand tightening around mine. "And I don't want you to see me like that."
A pang of worry strikes me, but I push it aside. "You should do what you need to do," I say softly, trying to be strong for him.
Dmitri leans in and kisses me deeply, his lips warm and reassuring against mine. "I'll be back before you know it," he promises, his breath warm against my skin. He whispers a soft "Thank you" into my hair before pulling away.
Alexei grins at us, his hazel eyes twinkling with mischief. "Hey, don't I get a kiss too?" he teases.
Dmitri glares at him, but there's no real heat behind it. Alexei laughs it off, clapping Dmitri on the shoulder. "Calm down, Dmitri," he says with a chuckle.
Dmitri sighs but manages a small smile as they both head for the door. The room feels colder without him by my side, but I know he needs to do this. I close my eyes and focus on the lingering warmth of his kiss, holding on to the hope that he'll return soon.