Chapter Forty-Four
Aleksei
I step off the jet, the Los Angeles night wrapping around me like a familiar cloak.
The unresolved deal with Whitmore lingers like a bitter taste.
“ Svoloch’ ,” I mutter. Trusting an American politician was always a gamble. I’ll deal with him soon enough.
The drive to the manor is a blur of city lights and silent streets. But as the gates open and the house comes into view, my thoughts shift.
Bobik.
I need to see him. The business can wait.
Inside, the quiet hum of the manor greets me.
I make my way upstairs, the polished wood of the railing cool under my fingers as I ascend.
Pushing open Bobik’s door, I find him immersed in a book, his face illuminated by the soft glow of a lamp.
His head snaps up as soon as he hears me, and my chest tightens at the sight of him.
“Papa!” he exclaims, eyes bright as they meet mine.
“ Privet, synok ,” I say, a rare warmth spreading through me. “Still awake?”
He grins. “ Tetya said you would be home, so I was waiting for you. I have something to tell you!”
I raise an eyebrow, stepping further into the room. “Oh? And what is so exciting that it keeps you up this late?”
“I met someone!” he bursts out. “Her name is Stella. Tetya Diana introduced us. She’s brilliant, Papa ! We talked about quantum physics and neural networks. She knows so much!”
My stride falters. Stella. Her name draws up images of deep eyes, soft curves, pouting lips…
Blyad!
What the actual fuck?
“Is that so?” I say evenly. “And what did you think of her?”
A mix of emotions twist inside me — surprise, unease, anger.
Diana introduced them?
What the fuck was she thinking?
“She’s amazing! She explained complex theories so simply. And she listened to all my ideas without thinking I’m just a kid.” My son’s face is alight. It’s the happiest I’ve seen him since Olga passed.
I head further into the room and pull up a chair beside him.
“Tell me more about Stella,” I say, keeping my tone even. “What else did you discuss?”
“Everything!” He grins wide. “She knows about artificial intelligence, just like Dr. Malhotra. But she explains it in a way that makes sense. She said she’d bring me more books.”
I study his face — the flush of excitement, the animated gestures. It’s been too long since I’ve seen him this alive.
“You enjoyed her company,” I state.
He nods vigorously. “Yes! It was just like… like having a friend.” He looks away for a moment, and I sense that he’s trying not to upset me.
“That’s good, sinok ,” I say. “Friends are important.” I fold my hands, considering. “Did she ask you any strange questions?”
Blyad , the last thing I need is word getting out about my son living here. Although I can’t think of a reason why she’d want to share this information.
Can’t be too careful, mudak.
“Strange questions?” He frowns slightly. “No. We just talked about science and… and you.”
My gaze sharpens. “Me?”
He shrugs. “Just that you’re my father and that you’re very busy. She seemed interested.”
“I see.” I suppress a scowl. Is she interested in me as her captor, or something else? Something more?
Bullshit.
There’s nothing more.
“I liked her.” He smiles again, almost shyly. “I’m glad she came to visit. I wish…” He trails off.
“You wish what, malysh? ” I watch his face closely.
“I wish she could have met Mama.” His voice is small.
Jesus. My heart shatters a little. I reach for his shoulder, ignoring how bony it is, and squeeze it gently.
“Mama can see her, Bobik. I’m sure she approves.”
Of course she would. Olga approved of everything that made our son happy. And… perhaps I should too?
“So, I can see her again?” His eyes lock on my face.
Blyad!
I nod slowly. Trust Diana to overstep boundaries. But perhaps this isn’t such a bad thing. Stella wouldn’t endanger Bobik’s secrecy. Somehow, I’m sure of it. “Yes, malysh . You can see her. I’m glad you enjoyed her company.”
His smile is radiant. “Thank you, Papa !” He reaches for a book. “Will you read with me?”
“Da,” I reply, a small smile tugging at my lips. “But first, I have important news.”
He straightens in his chair, anticipation shining in his eyes. “What is it?”
I turn in my seat to face him. “Dr. Malhotra called. He believes you’re ready for the AI operation we’ve discussed.”
His eyes widen. “The one that could help me walk?”
“Da,” I affirm. “It’s a complex procedure—”
“I know.” He nods quickly. “I researched it. The integration between neural networks and AI assistance. It’s very new, but the data is exciting. I told Stella, and she agreed.” He’s already talking about her as if she’s a firm fixture.
“I’m sure she did.” I ruffle his hair. “Anyway, the doctor is cautious about the outcomes, but he thinks the timing is right.”
“I could walk!” Bobik is practically vibrating with excitement. “I could play like other kids!”
“Yes. Like other kids.” I’m trying so fucking hard not to let this thought take root too soon, but it’s impossible not to feel the hope blooming. “Just don’t forget about playing badminton with your old man.”
“Never, Papa !” He puts his little hand over mine as if he’s really worried about hurting my feelings. “I would never do that. You will always be my best friend.”
This kid!
I swallow a lump in my throat, then lean in and pull him against my chest. “And you will always be mine, malysh ,” I say against the top of his head, grateful that there’s no one around to see me now. There must be dust in the air or something. My eyes are burning. Allergies.
Yeah, right, dolboyob.
It’s allergies.
Bobik pulls away and looks up at me. He grows thoughtful. “Did he talk about the risks?”
I admire his maturity. “He did. But Dr. Malhotra is good at what he does. We’ll ensure you’re in good hands.”
He nods slowly. “I’ve been reading about similar procedures. Nothing this advanced yet. But he’s the best in his field.”
I chuckle softly. “Trust you to study your own surgery.”
He grins. “Knowledge is power, right?”
“It is. And you have empowered yourself, boy. I’m proud of you, synok .”
He looks down for a moment, then back up. “Thank you for making this possible, Papa .”
Fuck.
How can he be so mature at just ten?
I cup his face in my hands and stare into his eyes. “Do you think that there was ever a doubt this would happen?”
He looks up at me silently, eyes wide.
“I would move the earth for you, Bobik,” I say fiercely. “Pull down the moon and turn it into a soccer ball if you want.”
“The moon as a soccer ball?” His eyes flash mischievously. He grins.
“If you want.” I grin back. A softness settles between us. “And you’ll be playing soccer before you know it.”
His eyes shine with hope. “Maybe you’ll play with me?”
Until your brother is old enough to play with you, I want to say. But now is not the time to raise the prospect of siblings.
“Of course,” I say, ruffling his hair gently. “Until you outrun me with your strong, young legs.”
For a moment, the weight of my other worries fades. Here, with Bobik, everything else feels distant. But a part of me knows I need to see Stella — not just because of Bobik, but because keeping my distance is becoming increasingly difficult.
“Rest now,” I tell him, standing up. “Big days are ahead.”
“Goodnight, Papa .”
“ Spokoinoi nochi , Bobik.”
Leaving his room, I feel my heart swell with love for this small boy I helped bring into this world. And then I think of another… one who has yet to be born. And I feel a pull that’s hard to ignore.
Because she is having your baby…
But if I’m honest with myself, it’s a lot more than just that.
My steps turn toward the corridor leading to Stella’s suite. Each stride brings a conflict between duty and something more personal — something I’ve tried to suppress but can no longer deny.
I want to see her.