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Stunned, I found myself standing in the hallway as he closed the door in my face, as if nothing had happened.

I stared at the wooden door for a few seconds longer before heading to my room, my mind foggy and already anticipating dreams I would have never dared to indulge in just a few weeks ago.

Nikolai

The next morning, I sat at the breakfast table, still tasting Selina on my lips. Even if it had been just a small step, it was a stepnonetheless—one I never would have imagined taking just days ago.

I nodded my thanks to Elif as she handed me the bread basket while she debated with Roman about the best way to eat crepes. It was either sugar or chocolate spread, I thought. Food and Roman? That was an entirely different level of attachment.

Grigori had left early that morning for a meeting. Normally, I would have gone with him, but he had allowed me to stay this time.

“Would you stop that?!” Sienna suddenly exclaimed from the other end of the table. She was sitting next to Sasha, who was dressed in a perfectly tailored suit. Looked like he was back to work today.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” my brother replied as he calmly cut his eggs into pieces.

“Oh, you know exactly what I’m talking about! Stop adding food to my plate when I’m not looking!” she snapped, throwing him a glare.

“I have no idea what you mean,” Sasha repeated, sipping his orange juice with infuriating composure. Predictably, that only fueled Sienna’s frustration. She muttered insults under her breath while pointing her knife at him before attacking the extra food he’d snuck onto her plate.

I really needed to talk to my brother about this situation, especially since Sienna would be sticking around for a while. The last thing I wanted was for her to find a way to escape—and take Selina and Rafael with her—because of Sasha.

“Good morning, everyone,” Selina said as she entered the room with the boys.

And, like every time I saw her, the rest of the world faded away.

My eyes first landed on her lips—the ones I had tasted and would soon claim again. Then, my gaze traveled lower to her brown dress, which left little to the imagination, hugging every curve perfectly.

A whistle suddenly pierced the air, and I shot a deadly glare at Roman, who only smirked and winked at me—the little bastard.

“Oh my God! That dress fits you like a glove, darling!” Elif exclaimed, nudging me playfully. “See? I have a great eye for clothes!”

All I could do was nod, struggling to find words.

“You look just like Mom.”

Selina froze and turned toward her sister, who watched her with a soft smile, “not just in appearance, but in character too—gentle and brave.”

“Oh, Sienna, we both take after her,” Selina replied, moving to kiss her sister’s cheek. But Sienna’s smile faded instantly, replaced by a distant expression. “I only have a few physical traits left,” she murmured, her voice devoid of emotion.

I barely caught her words, but Sasha did too, because he stiffened beside her. Sienna quickly excused herself, reassuring Selina that she had calls to make. On her way out, she ruffled Andrei and Rafael’s hair, making them laugh.

“I want crepes too!” Andrei exclaimed, climbing into his chair next to Dimitri, who was already on his third one.

Elif smiled as she pushed her chair back. “Of course, my little duck. I put yours in the oven to keep them warm. I’ll go get—”

“I’ll do it,” Selina interrupted, smiling warmly. “I’m already up anyway.”

I cleared my throat and stood up, ignoring Elif’s amused expression and the stupid smirk on Roman’s face.

“Where are you going,moy brat?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Great. Now the kids were looking at me too.

“I’m getting some water,moy brat,” I replied through gritted teeth.

“But there’s water right here, Uncle Niko!” Ivan piped up, pointing at the pitcher on the table. At just eight years old, this kid was already too damn smart.

Roman laughed while Elif’s smile widened.