Chapter 26 - Clara
Opening my eyes, I looked around. Iosif jumped up out of the chair next to the bed. He was holding my hand so tightly that it felt like he was strangling it. “Ease up on the hand,” I mumbled, still feeling groggy.
“Sorry,” he mumbled, leaning in. I felt his tender kiss on my forehead and smiled. “The doctor will be here shortly,” he added as I looked at him.
The door opened, and I felt like screaming at the doctor. I wanted to know what was happening. He lifted his hand as I opened my mouth, and I bit back my words.
“Good morning,” he said, stepping to my side. “Please lift your top so we can do a scan. The preliminary scan showed all was good, but I want to confirm.”
I lowered the blanket and raised the top I was wearing. The doctor squeezed some gel onto my belly. I felt my stomach pulling from the cold and breathed out heavily. My head was aching, and so was my shoulder, but other than that, I actually felt reasonable.
“Sorry for that,” the doctor added. “I should have told you it might be cold.”
I smiled weakly at him, nodding my head. He placed the sonar head on my belly and rubbed it in circles. Next to us was a large monitor, which he switched on. As he slowed the movement of the sonar head, a picture started forming.
There was a faint heartbeat coming from the monitor as well. “There you go,” the doctor huffed. “See, your baby is growing nicely and is healthy.”
I felt relief washing over me like a big wave. I glanced at Iosif as he squeezed my hand. I held his hand tightly, not wanting to let go.
The doctor wiped the gel off as he spoke. “I’ll be back with you shortly. We must check your wounds and do some basic tests. We will have to schedule a follow-up, but I’m sure you’re eager to get home.”
“Yes,” I huffed, shaking my head up and down. I wanted to get out of there and be with Iosif. I wanted to feel safe again. Shifting up in bed, I turned to Iosif as I spoke. “Did you mean everything you said?”
He turned his head to one side, smiling at me. “Said about what?” he asked.
Looking at our hands, I spoke more softly. “What you said about loving me?”
Iosif took my head into his hands and turned me to face him. He stared into my eyes. As he spoke, I could hear a tenderness in his tone. “Clara, everything that I said was the truth. I have never loved anyone the way I love you.”
Grinning, I responded eagerly. “I feel the same way about you. You make me very happy.”
Iosif kissed my forehead, then my lips, before replying. “You must never forget, you are my one and only. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I do not know how I would ever be able to live without you.”
Iosif placed his hand on my stomach as he continued to speak. “I will take care of you and our baby. I will protect the two of you with my life.”
I pulled him closer so quickly, he almost lost his balance. I hugged him tightly, inhaling deeply. “I want to go home,” I whispered in his ear.
As he pulled back, the doctor returned. “Let’s get those last tests done so we can send you home,” he said.
“I’ll be waiting,” Iosif added as they pushed me out.
Once all the scans and bloodwork were done, the doctor sent me back to my room with a release note. Iosif helped me get back into my own clothing so we could go home. One of the male nurses pushed me to the nurse's station. They gave my medication to Iosif with a card for our follow-up appointment.
At the door, Iosif assisted me up and held me close as we walked to the car. He opened the door, and I slid in. Before closing the door, he opened the back and took out a bouquet of flowers, which he gave me.
I smiled as he closed the door and moved around to his side. “Thank you,” I breathed out as he started the car. I felt a tear escape my eye and roll down my cheek. Iosif leaned over and wiped it away before pulling out.
I felt drowsy from the medication and kept my eyes closed as we drove home. As we pulled up to the mansion, I saw the array of staff waiting.
“What’s this?” I asked.
“I have to ensure you are taken care of, and all your needs are met,” Iosif replied, smiling.
Iosif introduced me to the nurses, waiters, and other new staff before I was escorted back to my room. The day went by in a daze as I slept most of it away. I woke up fully just before supper time. Sitting up, I took my phone and checked my messages.
Most of them were from my family, hoping I would get better soon. There was one message from an unknown number. Opening it, I read it twice, making sure I understood it correctly. “I didn’t run away, Clara. Please, can we talk? Let me explain what went down.”
I instantly knew it was my brother reaching out. But I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. My mind was still foggy about the events that took place after Kolya tried to shoot Iosif and me, taking the bullet.
Breathing in deeply, I tried to figure out how I felt about seeing him. I didn’t notice Iosif coming in until he sat down next to me. “Are you okay?” he asked. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“Kolya sent me a message,” I breathed out.
“Oh, what did he say?” Iosif asked. His tone was calm, but I felt him stiffening up.
Taking his hand, I turned to look at him. “He wants to see me,” I replied.
Iosif frowned as he responded. “It is up to you.”
Nodding, I considered it. “Okay, but I don’t think I want to go alone,” I said, glancing at the floor.
“Sure, I’ll go with you,” Iosif said, squeezing my hand. “I’ll drive you there and back. If you want, I’ll come in as well.”
Flinging my arms around his neck, I hugged him as I spoke. “Thank you.”
“The quicker we get it done, the better, I think,” Iosif added. “Make the call and let him come over.”
I did as he asked, and we waited in the kitchen for my brother to arrive. Iosif poured some juice into a glass bottle and added two glasses to a tray. He took it to the small lounge closest to the door, where Kolya and I could talk.
It wasn’t long before one of the guards came to inform us that he had arrived. “See him to the living area,” Iosif said. He looked at me and nodded. “I’m here if you need me.”
I got up and headed to the room where my brother was waiting.
As I entered, Kolya turned and looked at me.
He was standing by the shelf towards the back of the room.
He looked like shit. His eyes had dark circles around them, and his beard was stubble.
I hadn’t seen him like this in a very long time.
The guilt of what happened was eating him alive. My heart ached to see him like this. As he spoke, I could hear the sorrow in his tone. “I am sorry, sister. I may hate the Chernykhs, but I never meant to hurt you in any way.”
“You want some juice?” I asked, walking to the small table in the middle of the room. He looked at me like I was speaking another language. I poured two glasses, picked one up, and sat down. “Come sit with me,” I added, motioning to the chair across from me.
Kolya moved closer and sat down. He looked around the room and inhaled sharply. “I swear that I can let my hatred for this family go because I love you more than I hate them,” he said softly. “Can you forgive me for all I’ve done?”
Placing my glass down, I got up and moved to his side. I sat down and flung my arms around him. “I love you, Kolya,” I breathed out. I forgive you. I know you never meant to hurt me.”
Pulling back, I held his shoulders as I continued. “You must understand that I love Iosif. I will give my life for him, and I need you to accept that. Please, we need peace now more than ever.”
I fleetingly saw the tears in his eyes as he pulled me in and hugged me tightly. He sat for a bit, and I swore I felt his tears on my shoulder. I knew he needed time to regain his composure, and I didn’t push him. He wasn’t the kind of man to show affection.
Kolya hugged me tighter as he whispered in my ear. “Seeing you hurt and thinking I killed you.” He swallowed hard. “It almost killed me. If you didn’t make it…,”
His words fell away, but I knew what he meant.
A shiver ran down my spine. “No more talking of that,” I huffed, feeling my own tears close to exploding.
I rubbed his back as I continued. “I’m happy, I’m alive, I’m safe.
Leave your vendetta and get in with us. The Chernykhs mean you no harm.
If you hurt them, we will have a problem. ”
Taking a deep breath, I whispered into his ear before pulling back. “I want you to be happy for me. I have found my one and only.”
There was a short pause before he continued. “For now, I’ll back off. I’ll do my best to steer clear. That is all I can promise for now.”
I knew this couldn’t be easy for him. But it was what had to happen. I was sure that, in time, he would come around. I gave him a wary smile as I spoke. “Okay, for now, it will do.” He stepped closer and pulled me into a firm hug.
Kolya squeezed my arm before letting go. As he stepped back into the doorway, he spoke. I could hear a vibration in his voice. It was slightly shaky. “I’ll do my best for you. I am happy if you are happy, but…”
“Stop,” I interrupted him. “I’m happy and leave it at that.
Kolya bowed his head and took a deep breath. “Okay, just remember, I love you. I will see you again soon, I hope,” he said, giving me a warm smile.
“I’ll contact you,” I replied as he turned and stepped out.
I stood in the doorway watching as Kolya walked towards his car. I wanted him to be the man I remembered him being. But I knew it would be a while before things returned to normal. Maybe in time, he would be more considerate of others.
Heading back in, I decided to go sit outside at the back. I wanted the peacefulness the flower fields offered. I hadn’t sat long when I heard Iosif coming out. “Are you okay? I saw your brother leaving,” he said. His tone was soft and soothing.
Glancing back at him, I smiled and nodded as I replied. “I’m okay. I think things will get better from here on out.”
Iosif nodded in agreement as he came to sit by me. I leaned against his chest as we looked at the stars in the sky.