Page 23

Tyler is finally asleep, his little chest rising and falling in the soft glow of the nightlight. I smile down at him, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. He looks so peaceful, so innocent. Sometimes, I can hardly believe he’s mine. This tiny human with Timur’s piercing blue eyes and stubborn expression. I feel a warmth spread through me as I lean down and press a kiss to his forehead.

It’s quiet tonight. Timur’s not home, and for once, I’m alone in this huge mansion. It’s strange—when I first arrived here, I hated the silence. Every creak and groan of the old house set me on edge. But now, I’ve grown used to it, even found a sense of comfort in solitude. It’s a reprieve from the whirlwind of emotions that come with living here, with Timur.

I make my way to the kitchen, planning to brew some tea and maybe curl up with a book, when I hear a knock at the door. My heart skips a beat. I wasn’t expecting anyone, and Timur hadn’t mentioned any visitors. A chill runs down my spine as I hesitate in the hallway.

The knock comes again, a little softer this time. I swallow hard and walk to the door, peeking through the peephole. Relief floods through me when I see a familiar face—Katya, Timur’s mother.

I open the door, offering her a small smile. “Katya, hi.”

She stands there with that regal grace she always carries, her eyes softening when they land on me. “Hello, Jennifer. I hope I’m not intruding.”

“No, not at all,” I reply quickly, stepping aside to let her in. “Please, come in.”

Katya walks into the house with a kind of ease, like she’s been here countless times before. She’s a tall woman, slender and elegant, her silver hair pinned back in a simple yet sophisticated style. There’s something comforting about her presence, something that feels… genuine.

“I came to see how you and Tyler are doing,” she says, her gaze scanning the room before landing on me again. “I know Timur’s not home, but I figured it would be nice to check in.”

I smile, feeling a bit of the tension ease from my shoulders. “Thank you. We’re doing well. Tyler just went to sleep.”

Katya nods approvingly. “It takes a village to raise a child, you know. I’m glad you’re settling in, but don’t hesitate to lean on us. Family is important, especially for a little one.”

I guide her to the living room, offering her a seat on the plush sofa. “Would you like some tea? I was just about to make myself some.”

“That would be lovely,” she replies, settling into the couch with the same grace she does everything.

I head into the kitchen, quickly preparing the tea and trying to calm my nerves. Katya has always been kind to me, but there’s something about her presence tonight that feels more intimate, more… personal. Like she’s here for more than just a visit.

When I return, she’s looking at a framed photo of Tyler on the side table, a soft smile playing on her lips. “He’s a beautiful boy,” she says as I hand her the tea. “So much like Timur when he was a baby.”

I nod, sitting across from her. “He definitely has his father’s eyes.”

Katya sips her tea thoughtfully, then sets the cup down. “I’m glad Timur found you, Jennifer. I can see the way he looks at you, and the way you look at him, even if you try to hide it.”

I shift uncomfortably, not sure how to respond. Katya has always been perceptive, but it’s still strange to have her point out something I’m barely beginning to understand myself.

“He wasn’t always like this, you know,” she says after a pause, her voice softening. “This hard, this… brutal.”

I blink, surprised by her words. “What do you mean?”

Katya looks down at her hands, her expression thoughtful. “His father’s death changed him. Timur was a different man before it happened. Losing his father… it hardened him, made him ruthless. It’s part of why he’s become who he is today. Deep down, there’s still a part of him that feels, that cares.”

Her eyes meet mine, and I feel a strange flutter in my chest. “I think that part of him has found its way back because of you.”

I swallow, unsure of how to process what she’s saying. “Because of me?”

Katya nods. “You and Tyler. He won’t admit it—he’s far too stubborn for that. I see it, though, He’s protective of you in a way I haven’t seen him be with anyone else.”

I shake my head, feeling a lump form in my throat. “I don’t know if I can believe that. He’s… he’s done things, Katya. Things that make it hard to see him that way.”

Katya reaches across the table, taking my hand in hers. “I know, but love changes people. It may not happen overnight, and it may not be easy, but I believe Timur can be the man you need him to be. For you and for Tyler.”

I sit there, holding her gaze, my mind swirling with everything she’s said. It’s hard to reconcile the brutal, unyielding man I know with the image Katya paints of a softer, more caring Timur. As I think about the moments I’ve shared with him, the way he’s been with Tyler… maybe she’s right.

“Thank you,” I whisper, my voice thick with emotion.

Katya squeezes my hand gently. “Just give him time, Jennifer. He’ll come around.”

Katya leans back into the couch, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. “You know,” she begins, her voice soft but filled with a hint of nostalgia, “when Timur first met you, he actually told me about it.”

I blink, surprised. “He… he mentioned me?”

Katya nods, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. “Yes, and that in itself was unusual. Timur doesn’t talk about women. Ever. Not to me, not to anyone. He keeps his personal life extremely private, even from family. So when he brought you up, I knew you were different.”

I sit there, absorbing her words, trying to reconcile them with the Timur I’ve come to know—the one who’s ruthless, controlling, and often hard to read. The idea that he talked to his mother about me is hard to process, but there’s something about it that makes my heart ache in a way I don’t expect.

Katya’s eyes are warm as she continues. “He didn’t go into detail, of course. Timur’s never been one for expressing his feelings openly. The fact that he even brought you up… well, I knew you’d gotten under his skin. He told me about a woman he met at a party, how she was different from the others, more reserved but intriguing. He didn’t say much more, but it was enough for me to see that he felt something.”

I glance down at my hands, feeling a strange mix of emotions swirling inside me. Could Timur really have been affected by me from the very start? I’ve always seen him as this unshakable force, someone who takes what he wants without hesitation, someone who isn’t vulnerable. Hearing this—hearing that he might have felt something from the moment we met—it softens the edges of my anger and fear, just a little.

Katya must sense the conflict in me because she reaches out, placing a gentle hand on mine. “I’m not saying he’s perfect, Jennifer. He’s far from it. I’ve known my son his whole life, of course, and I can tell you this—if Timur lets someone into his heart, it’s because they mean something to him. You’ve done that. You’ve become important to him.”

I look up at her, my throat tightening. “It doesn’t always feel that way,” I admit quietly. “Sometimes, it feels like I’m just… trapped. Like I’m here because of Tyler, not because Timur wants me.”

Katya’s expression softens. “He may not show it in the way you expect, but Timur’s actions speak volumes. He brought you here, into his home. He’s doing everything to keep you and Tyler safe. Those aren’t the actions of a man who doesn’t care. As much as it might seem like you’re here because of the baby, it’s more than that. I think Timur needs you in ways he doesn’t fully understand yet.”

Her words hang in the air, and for the first time, I find myself questioning my own perception of Timur. Could it be that, beneath the tough exterior, he really does feel something for me? Something deeper than control and possession?

“I don’t know,” I murmur, my voice barely above a whisper. “It’s hard to see him as anything other than… ruthless. Especially after everything that’s happened.”

Katya smiles gently. “I know it’s hard to believe, but people can change, Jennifer. And sometimes, love is the thing that drives that change. It doesn’t happen overnight, and it’s never easy. If anyone can bring out the softer side of Timur, it’s you. He won’t admit it, but I think you’ve already started.”

I let out a shaky breath, feeling the weight of her words settle over me. “I don’t know if I’m ready for that responsibility.”

Katya squeezes my hand. “You don’t have to be. Just take it one day at a time. And remember, you’re not alone in this. You have people who care about you, and I’m one of them.”

A sense of warmth spreads through me as I meet her gaze. For so long, I’ve felt isolated, like I was trapped in this strange, dangerous world with no one to lean on. But in this moment, I realize that maybe, just maybe, I’m not as alone as I thought.

Katya stands, brushing invisible wrinkles from her elegant dress. “I should leave you to get some rest. But remember what I said, Jennifer. Don’t lose hope. There’s more to Timur than meets the eye.”

I rise to walk her to the door, her words still playing in my mind. “Thank you, Katya.”

She gives me one last smile before stepping outside, leaving me standing in the doorway, a whirlwind of thoughts swirling in my head.

As I close the door behind her, I can’t help but glance back at Tyler, still peacefully asleep in his crib. Maybe she’s right. Maybe there’s more to Timur than I’ve allowed myself to see. Maybe, despite everything, there’s hope for us—whatever that means.

For the first time in a long while, I don’t feel as suffocated by the future. It’s still uncertain, still terrifying in some ways, but I feel a flicker of something else too—something that feels a little like hope.