Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
Anna
Saturday morning's phone ring jolted me awake. I fumbled for my phone, squinting at Yekaterina's number.
"Anna, you up?" Her voice bubbled with excitement. "I just got back from Paris last night!"
I sat up, rubbing my eyes. "Paris? Right, the fashion week. How was it?"
"Incredible!" she gushed. "I met so many designers, took tons of photos. Oh, and I got Sofia a present! From this adorable toy shop on the Champs-élysées. She's going to love it."
I smiled, listening to her share her Parisian adventures. Yekaterina's joy was always infectious.
"But never mind that for now," she continued. "I've got something more important to tell you. There's a swimming event at the community center this afternoon! Indoor pool, organized specifically for families with kids. You absolutely have to bring Sofia!"
Swimming event? My first instinct was to refuse.
"Katya, I'm not sure—"
"No way, you can't say no," she cut me off, her tone turning serious.
"Anna, I've been thinking about you two all week in Paris.
Sofia needs to socialize with other children.
She can't just stay cooped up with you all the time—it's not healthy for her development.
And you need to meet some neighbors, build a social circle.
While I was gone, did you two just lock yourselves away at home again? "
I sighed. Yekaterina was right, but the last thing I wanted right now was a social event. Especially in this community. Especially with Alexander living here too.
"Katya, I really don't want to—"
"Mommy, what swimming event?" Sofia suddenly appeared in my bedroom doorway, eyes sparkling with excitement. "Is Godmother back? She promised to bring me a present!"
Damn it.
"Nothing, sweetheart. Go back and play." I tried to brush it off.
But Sofia had already scrambled onto the bed beside me. "Mommy, can I go swimming? Please! I haven't been swimming in forever! And I want to see Godmother!"
Yekaterina laughed through the phone. "You hear that? Sofia wants to go. Anna, you can't disappoint the child. Besides, I've got her present waiting at the pool!"
Looking at Sofia's expectant eyes, my resolve crumbled. She was right—since we'd moved here, Sofia had only gone to daycare and stayed home. No social activities whatsoever. And Yekaterina had just returned from Paris. I wanted to see her too, hear all about her trip.
"Alright," I finally gave in. "But just for a little while."
"Yay!" Sofia cheered, bouncing on the bed. "I get to see Godmother and my present!"
"Starts at two," Yekaterina said. "Bring swimsuits. I'll be there waiting with Sofia's surprise!"
After hanging up, I watched Sofia's excitement with mixed feelings.
Maybe this was a good opportunity for her to play with other kids, and for me to catch up with Yekaterina. Besides, the community was enormous—Alexander probably wouldn't show up... right?
At one-thirty, Sofia and I arrived at the community center.
Sofia wore a pink little swimsuit under her bathrobe, clutching her swim ring like a treasure, excited as a songbird. I'd chosen the most conservative black one-piece I could find—the least attention-grabbing style possible.
"Mommy, hurry!" She tugged my hand. "I can't wait to see Godmother! And my present!"
The pool area was expansive, featuring a standard pool and a shallow children's pool. Plenty of parents and children were already there, kids' laughter echoing throughout the space.
"Anna! Sofia!" Yekaterina waved at us, holding an elegant pink gift bag. "Over here!"
"Godmother!" Sofia ran toward her with pure joy.
Yekaterina knelt to embrace Sofia, then presented her with the gift bag. "This is a very special present I brought you from Paris!"
Sofia eagerly opened the bag to reveal an exquisite French doll dressed in a gorgeous little gown, complete with a set of changeable outfits.
"Wow! She's beautiful!" Sofia's eyes lit up. "Thank you, Godmother!"
"From Paris's most famous toy store," Yekaterina said proudly. "Every French little girl dreams of having one."
I smiled watching this tender scene, grateful for Yekaterina's thoughtfulness toward Sofia.
"Go ahead and play," Yekaterina said, "but keep the doll away from the water."
We weren't particularly early—the pool area was already bustling with activity. I scanned the surroundings as we walked, relieved not to spot Alexander anywhere. Maybe he wouldn't attend this kind of family event...
"Mommy, can I get in the water now?"
"Of course, but stay in the shallow end and don't leave my sight."
Sofia nodded solemnly, entrusted her precious doll to me, then carefully waded into the children's pool. The water came up to her chest as she splashed excitedly, sending up cascades of sparkling droplets.
I sat poolside watching her joy, feeling my tension ease. Maybe Yekaterina was right—Sofia truly needed activities like this.
Then commotion erupted behind me.
"Oh my God, look who that is!"
"It's Alexander Volkov!"
My heart plummeted.
I slowly turned to see Alexander emerging from the changing room. He wore black swim trunks, bare-chested, revealing all those muscle lines I'd fantasized about in last night's dream—broad shoulders, sculpted chest, defined abs, those mesmerizing tattoos...
I quickly averted my gaze, but too late. Those images seared into my memory, making my cheeks burn.
The crowd began gravitating toward him, especially several young mothers.
"Mr. Volkov, what a delightful surprise seeing you here!"
"Do you swim regularly?"
"Are you here alone?"
He responded courteously to their questions, but I noticed his gaze searching the crowd purposefully.
Then his eyes found mine.
Even across that distance, I felt the intensity of his stare. His gaze traveled from my face down my body, lingering with unmistakable hunger. Despite deliberately choosing the most conservative black one-piece, the damp fabric clung to my curves, accentuating my waist and the contours of my hips.
I watched his Adam's apple bob, that familiar desire flashing in his eyes. That look transported me back five years—the way he'd studied my body with such focused intensity and raw want.
That sensation of being completely exposed made my skin tingle with heat. Even though this swimsuit covered most of me, under his penetrating gaze, I felt utterly naked. His stare seemed to burn through the fabric, as if he were remembering every inch of my body.
He began walking in our direction.
No, no, no.
Though my legs were turning to jelly, I stood up to collect Sofia and leave, but it was too late.
"Alex!" Sofia spotted him from the water, shrieking with delight.
Before I could stop her, she'd bolted from the shallow pool and run barefoot straight into Alexander's waiting arms.
"Sofia, wait—" I called out, but she was already nestled in his embrace.
Alexander caught her effortlessly, despite her being soaking wet. He crouched to her eye level, his face transforming with a tenderness I'd never witnessed before.
"Hey, sweetheart. What a wonderful surprise seeing you here."
"Alex, are you swimming too?" Sofia asked breathlessly. "Can you swim? Want to play with me?"
I hurried over, desperate to extract Sofia from his arms, but people around us were already taking notice.
"How sweet, who's that little girl? Is she new here?"
"They look exactly like father and daughter!"
"They really do—look at those matching eye colors..."
My heart hammered against my ribs, blood draining from my face.
"Sofia, come here," I tried to keep my voice steady. "We should—"
"Mommy, Alex says he'll teach me to swim!" Sofia interrupted, practically vibrating with excitement. "He says he's an amazing swimmer!"
Alexander rose to his full height, meeting my eyes. "If you don't mind, I could show her some basic techniques."
Every pair of eyes in the vicinity focused on us. Refusing now would seem bizarre and rude.
"I... alright," I managed reluctantly. "But only in the shallow end."
Sofia cheered triumphantly, grabbing Alexander's hand and tugging him toward the children's pool.
I trailed behind them, acutely aware of the curious stares and hushed whispers surrounding us, my pulse thundering in my ears.
In the shallow pool, Alexander patiently guided Sofia through basic swimming movements. His large, sure hands supported her small frame, helping her practice floating on the surface.
"Don't tense up, just relax," he murmured gently. "I've got you. I won't let you sink."
Sofia trusted him completely, following his calm instructions to release the tension in her body. Within minutes, she was floating briefly on her own with his steady support.
"I did it!" she squealed with pure joy. "Mommy, did you see?"
I forced what I hoped was a convincing smile and nodded.
But witnessing their interaction—that instinctive connection, that chemistry born of shared blood—left me emotionally shattered.
This was what Sofia deserved. A father's patient guidance, a father's protective presence.
But I'd stolen these moments from her, robbed them both of each other.
"Anna?" Yekaterina materialized beside me. "You alright? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"I... I need some air," I said shakily. "Please watch Sofia. She's with... she's with that man."
Yekaterina glanced toward Alexander and Sofia, curiosity flickering in her expression. "That's... of course, no problem."
I escaped from the poolside toward a quieter corner of the facility. This rest area featured several benches and was mercifully more secluded.
I collapsed onto a bench, burying my face in my hands, struggling to regain my composure.
But everything was spiraling out of control. The surrounding gossip, the undeniable bond between Sofia and Alexander, my own internal chaos...
"Anna."
I looked up to find Alexander standing before me, water droplets still glistening on his skin under the overhead lights.
"Where's Sofia?" I asked anxiously.