Chapter Forty-four
Alessia
Mamma followed me down the stairs, her slippers scuffing against the wood, while she called me. “Where are you rushing to so suddenly?”
The truth hovered on my lips. I almost told her about Rodion in the hospital, but I held it. That single answer would raise questions I wasn’t ready to answer.
“You know what? I’m tired.” Her voice cracked with exhaustion. “I’m tired of worrying and living every day waiting for disaster. Do you think it was easy, opening the door in the middle of the night and finding my daughter standing there?”
Her words struck me still. I stopped halfway across the living room. I realised the weight she carried as a mother. She had the right to worry and to be mad.
I faced her. “Nothing is wrong. I just have to leave.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.” Her eyes burned, searching me for the truth.
“Come on, Mamma. I don’t have time. I’ll call you.” My voice slipped into pleading.
She let out a weary sigh that seemed to pull from her bones. “Then I’m driving you wherever you think you need to run to.”
“The driver is outside,” I blurted. “You saw the car.” Her gaze lingered on me. “I promise. I’ll call.”
She said nothing more, and the silence followed me to the door.
My chest ached as I walked away. She had every right to rage, to scream, and demand answers.
If I had a daughter who stumbled home sobbing in the dead of night, I would lose my mind too.
But I couldn’t explain. Not yet. All I could do was leave.
Viktor waited by the car. He straightened the moment he spotted me. Before I even reached the gate, he was at the door, holding it open with a small, practiced bow.
“Miss,” he said.
“I’m sorry I missed your calls last night,” I murmured, guilt pressing against my throat.
He dipped his head. “That’s all right, ma’am. You did well to come here.”
I released a breath and slid into the seat. “Take me to the hospital.”
His brows knit together with concern flickering across his face. “Are you unwell, Miss?”
Matvet had warned me not to mention that the boss was in the hospital. Only a handful of people knew, and Viktor wasn’t one of them. I had to lie to him too.
“I’m fine.” I forced a thin smile. “It’s just a usual check-up.”
Viktor nodded. “Then I should inform the boss.”
“He knows. Matvet knows too. Can we just go?”
“Yes.” He shut my door and went around to take the wheel. “Which hospital?”
I gave Viktor the address Matvet had provided, and he drove off in silence.
I turned to the window, trying to make sense of everything.
Matvet swore Rodion was fine. But if he was in the hospital, it meant that the situation was more serious than anyone admitted.
And here I was, sulking because he had missed our date. He must have been truly ill.
The halt of the car outside the hospital jolted me back to the present.
I pushed the door open and stepped out, nerves driving me faster than my thoughts.
My heart pounded against my ribs as I hurried toward the entrance, fear and determination knotted together.
The glass doors slid open, and as I stepped inside, I met Leonid walking out.
He halted, his eyes locking onto me, the curve of his smile pulled too wide to be warm. The air seemed to thicken between us, the busy hospital fading into a blur around that single look. Of all people, in all places, why did it have to be him?
“Alessia Romero.”
I brushed past him and moved to step inside, refusing to acknowledge him. But he spoke again, intending to force a conversation.
“What brings you here?” he asked, his voice quick with curiosity.
“It’s a hospital,” I replied, wishing my tone carried more strength.
“Clearly. But are you sick?”
Why did he care? I forced myself to meet his eyes. “Yes. Now, excuse me.”
“Well,” he said. “We are not enemies, are we? I could arrange the best doctor for you.”
“I already booked,” I interrupted. “He’s expecting me. Thank you.”
I walked past him before he could respond, feeling the heat of his gaze searing into my back. At the reception desk, I finally let out a breath. God, I hated that man.
“Can I help you?” the receptionist asked.
“Yes, I’m here to see Ro—” My words caught, and I stopped myself. Saying his name aloud here would be reckless. “Let me call someone.”
Stepping aside, my hand fumbled for my phone as I dialed Matvet. He answered on the second ring.
“I’m in the hospital,” I whispered.
“I’ll send someone,” he said.
Nodding, I ended the call and forced myself to focus.
With every second that stretched, my nerves tightened with impatience.
I ached to see him, to know he was alright.
My gaze flicked to the doors where I had met Leonid, scanning the area.
He was gone, but the memory of our encounter lingered, unwelcome.
I still didn’t like that we had crossed paths.
He reminded me of things I wished I could forget.
“Alessia Romero?” a voice called.
“Yes.” I turned, and a nurse stood before me, a calm, professional smile on her face. Her eyes held a quiet attentiveness that put me slightly at ease.
“Come with me,” she said.
I forced a small breath and fell into step behind her, each movement pulling me deeper into reality.
The quiet hall led toward the private wing, its stillness pressing around us.
As we neared a door, I slowed. Part of me wanted to see Rodion, but another part feared the sight of him lying in bed.
The nurse eased the door open and gave a slight gesture, inviting me in.
A sigh slipped past me as I took a tentative step forward.
Once inside, the nurse closed the door and left.
I noticed Dorothy standing nearby, but my eyes were fixed on Rodion.
He lay on the bed, eyes closed, his chest rising and falling in shallow breaths.
The rhythmic hiss of a machine punctuated the room’s silence.
My gaze followed the tubes carrying blood in and out.
One was inserted into his neck just above the collarbone, another threaded into his chest. The skin around each access point was swollen and bruised.
It made him look almost fragile, and the thought clawed at my chest, stealing the air from my lungs.
Dorothy stepped closer, her face drawn. “You’re here.”
I managed a nod, my gaze still locked on Rodion.
“He is still on dialysis. You can stay here for a while,” she continued.
“Okay,” I whispered.
I moved closer to the bed, stunned. I had never seen Rodion like this. He barely slept, and when he did, it was never for long. But now he lay silent, tethered to machines that seemed to dole out life in measured drops. My hand rose, drawn to him, but I froze, fingers suspended just above his arm.
“Is he okay?” My voice cracked as I turned to Dorothy.
“He is,” she said, though her tone lacked conviction. “It’s nothing to worry about.”
“Will he wake up?”
“He will. The episode was severe, and he was exhausted. He’s never been in this state.” Her eyes flicked to him, then back to me. “But this will stabilize him.”
My chest tightened. “What about his kidney?”
“Alessia—” Dorothy stopped as the door opened.
Matvet stepped in, leaning on his walking stick. His eyes caught me for a moment before they swept over Rodion.
“How much longer?” he asked.
“Two hours,” she replied.
He nodded and limped toward the bed, eyes fixed on Rodion. “Is his blood pressure still high?”
“It’s stabilizing, but we still can’t do the surgery yet,” Dorothy said.
“He’s getting surgery?” I asked, a flicker of hope lifting my voice.
“Yes, we have scheduled a transplant for tomorrow morning,” Dorothy said. “If his blood pressure stabilizes, it will be safer to proceed with the surgery.”
A wave of relief washed over me. They had found a donor. He could get a kidney.
“Monitor him first,” Matvet said, already moving toward the door.
I smiled, my gaze locked on Rodion. Slowly, I reached for his hand, curling my fingers around his palm. A tear slipped down my cheek before I could stop it. “I… am glad there’s a donor,” I whispered, as I lifted my eyes to Dorothy. “Can I help with anything? Does he need blood?”
Dorothy’s smile was gentle. “Calm down,” she rubbed my shoulder. “Everything will be alright.”
I clenched Rodion’s hand a little tighter, letting myself believe Dorothy’s words.
Her phone rang, and she excused herself, leaving me alone with him.
Sliding onto the chair beside the bed, I let my fingers drift across his cheek, tracing the line of his jaw with careful reverence.
My hand moved into his hair, brushing it back, as if he could feel the warmth and quiet reassurance behind my touch.
“About last night…” My voice caught, and I forced a smile, even as my eyes stung.
“We can plan another one.” Tears slipped down my cheeks.
“I was hurt because you stood me up. But for a second, I thought maybe you’d gotten sick.
” A shaky laugh escaped me, and I shook my head.
“It doesn’t matter. You would have shown up. ”
My gaze dropped to his hand. “You look out of place here. So, get well and leave.” I chuckled, exhaling. “But honestly? You need rest. You never get it.”
I smoothed the sheets, trying to keep my hands busy. One thing I knew for sure was that Rodion was strong, and he would fight this. I settled into the chair beside him, keeping my eyes on his face, counting the slow rise and fall of his chest.
The time dragged by. After two hours, the dialysis was finished, but he still lay unconscious.
They let me stay. I wanted to be there the moment he woke up. But he didn’t stir. Evening pressed down around the room. With every passing minute, the fear inched closer, tightening its grip. If only I could see him wake, even for a moment, it could calm the storm inside me.