Page 16

The room is brighter than I expected. Sunlight pours in from the oversized windows, catching the light blue walls and the soft white of the canopy bed Alyssa immediately claimed as hers. She’s already tossing the throw pillows onto the floor, her laughter bouncing off the walls as Leo giggles from his smaller bed nearby.

I linger near the door, my arms crossed tightly over my chest. The knot in my stomach won’t ease, no matter how innocent this setup appears. It’s a beautiful room—too beautiful. Everything about it screams perfection, from the carefully chosen books to the plush, oversized stuffed animals arranged neatly in the corner.

How did Serge pull this off?

It’s hard to imagine him bothering with things like this. A child-themed room, so perfectly suited for them, couldn’t have been a coincidence. My fingers twitch as my gaze sweeps over the thoughtful details. A small shelf of art supplies sits against the far wall—colored pencils, sketchbooks, even jars of glitter and glue. Alyssa will love it.

I hate how much it fits. I hate how easily he’s won them over.

Leo calls out, holding a stuffed bear tightly against his chest. “Mommy, it’s so soft!” He rubs his cheek against the bear’s fuzzy ear, his delight pulling at my heart.

I crouch down beside him, smoothing his blond curls. “Do you like it?”

He nods, his smile wide and innocent. “Can I keep it?”

“Of course, sweetheart. It’s yours now.”

The words feel strange in my mouth. How much of this is really theirs? How much of it can I trust?

Behind me, Serge’s presence looms. He stands near the window, watching us with an unreadable expression. For once, he’s silent. Not issuing commands or reminding me how little control I have.

Instead, he looks… patient.

I shake the thought off and focus on the children. Alyssa is already climbing under the gauzy canopy, arranging the blankets to her liking. Leo watches her, then looks back at me with wide eyes. “Is it bedtime, Mommy?”

“Not yet,” I say, pulling him into a hug. “You can play for a while first. Explore your new room.”

“They love it,” Serge says quietly.

I glance over my shoulder, my expression guarded. “You’ve made it hard not to.”

He steps closer, his hands in his pockets, and for a moment, I feel trapped between him and the children. “I told you they’d have everything they need here.”

My jaw tightens, but I don’t respond. He doesn’t push me further, just nods toward the door. “I’ll leave you to get them settled. Roman will stay outside if you need anything.”

With that, he turns and strides out, leaving the door open behind him.

I exhale slowly, the tension in my shoulders easing slightly. Alone is better, even if Roman’s shadow lingers just beyond the threshold. At least Serge had the decency to give us space, for now.

“Mommy, what’s that?” Alyssa’s voice pulls me back to the room. She’s pointing to a small play table near the corner, its surface covered with puzzles and toys.

I help Leo down from his bed and lead them both over. “Why don’t we find out?”

The next hour passes in a blur of squeals and laughter. Alyssa discovers a tea set, and before long, we’re all seated at the tiny table, pretending to sip imaginary tea while Leo insists his bear join the party.

I find myself smiling despite everything. For now, they’re happy. For now, this feels normal.

Still, the weight of Serge’s involvement lingers. As much as I hate to admit it, he’s thought of everything. This room, this space—it’s not something he could have thrown together last minute. It’s too detailed, too perfect for them.

I hate him for it. I also can’t ignore what it says about him.

He cares about them.

The thought twists uncomfortably in my chest. I don’t want to see him as anything other than the man who ripped us away from our lives. Yet here he is, showing more effort in a day than their father has in years.

“Mommy, are we staying here forever?” Alyssa asks suddenly, breaking through my thoughts.

I pause, unsure how to answer. “We’ll see,” I say finally, brushing her hair back from her face.

Her brow furrows. “What about our old house? And school, and my friends?”

Leo looks up at me, clutching his bear tighter. “My old toys?”

I kneel down between them, my hands resting on their small shoulders. “I know it’s a lot to get used to, but for now, this is our home. We’ll figure out everything else later, okay?”

Alyssa doesn’t look convinced, but she nods, leaning into my touch. Leo mirrors her, pressing his cheek against my arm.

Their trust is unwavering, and it breaks something in me. How do I protect them from this when I barely know how to protect myself?

A knock at the door startles me, and I glance up to see Roman’s silhouette through the frosted glass.

“Everything okay in there?” he calls, his voice muffled.

I swallow the irritation rising in my throat and force a reply. “We’re fine.”

The shadow lingers a moment longer before moving away, and I release a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.

“Are you okay, Mommy?” Alyssa’s voice is soft, her little hand resting on mine.

I nod, forcing another smile. “Of course, sweetheart. Let’s keep playing.”

As they dive back into their toys, I sit back and watch them. Despite everything, they’re still my bright, beautiful children. They haven’t lost their light. Not yet.

I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure they don’t.

The laughter of the children fills the room, their joy contagious even as I sit off to the side, my hands resting limply in my lap. Alyssa and Leo are engrossed in a tower of blocks they’re building on the play table. Every few minutes, Alyssa pauses to explain the “rules” to Leo, her tone serious in a way that only an almost four-year-old can manage.

I watch them, my heart twisting. A part of me wishes Serge had never found us. We were safe before. Simple. Unremarkable. I could manage our lives, shield them from his world, keep the shadows that follow him at bay.

Now we’re here, in this gilded cage of his design, and for all my fear and anger, there’s another part of me—a quieter, treacherous part—that feels… relieved.

Alyssa’s laughter rings out as Leo knocks over the tower, and she claps her hands, encouraging him to try again. I glance at the door, half expecting Serge to barge in and disrupt this fragile peace. Instead, I hear faint footsteps retreating down the hall. Roman, no doubt, ensuring we don’t so much as breathe out of line.

My gaze shifts to the children again, and my stomach tightens when I remember how easily they’ve taken to their father. The way Alyssa giggles when Serge humors her with answers to her endless questions. The way Leo looks up at him, unsure but curious, as if trying to piece together who this larger-than-life figure really is.

He’s their father, and I can’t deny the importance of that, even if it pains me to admit. A father’s love matters. I know that. I’ve seen what it looks like when it’s absent.

Serge… is this real for him? Or is it all about control?

I’m shaken from my thoughts by a soft knock on the door. I stand, my body tensing instinctively, and when the door creaks open, a woman in a crisp black-and-white maid’s uniform steps inside. She carries a garment bag draped carefully over her arm.

“Ma’am,” she says, her voice polite but firm, “Mr. Sharov asked me to bring this to you. He requests that you check the fit.”

My throat tightens as I catch the gleam of white through the clear plastic.

“What’s that?” Alyssa’s voice is bright with curiosity as she abandons the blocks and rushes over. Her eyes widen when she sees the delicate lace peeking from the garment bag. “Mommy, it’s a dress!”

“It’s a wedding dress,” the maid explains, smiling as she holds it up. “You’ll want to make sure it fits perfectly.”

Alyssa gasps, spinning to face me, her hands clapping in excitement. “Mommy’s going to be a bride!”

I force a smile, crouching to meet her height as she bounces on her toes. “Sweetheart, it’s just a dress. It doesn’t mean anything.”

“It means you’ll marry Daddy!” she says, her grin wide.

The words hit me like a punch to the chest. I glance at Leo, who’s wandered closer, his small hands clutching the stuffed bear Serge provided. His wide eyes shift between me and the dress, and I see the question forming on his lips before he speaks.

“Are we gonna stay here forever, Mommy?”

My heart aches at the innocence in his voice. I tuck a strand of his blond hair behind his ear and brush my hand gently over his cheek. “We’re just figuring things out, sweetheart. Don’t worry.”

The maid clears her throat politely. “Shall I help you try it on, ma’am?”

I stand slowly, forcing my face into something neutral as I glance at the dress. “You can leave it on the bed,” I say, trying to keep my tone steady.

“I was instructed to assist with the fitting,” she replies, her smile unwavering but firm.

I want to tell her no, but what good would it do? Refusing Serge’s orders is a battle I’m not prepared to fight—not yet.

“Fine,” I say finally. “Give me a minute.”

The maid nods, laying the dress gently across the smaller bed before retreating to a corner of the room. Alyssa climbs onto the canopy bed and hugs a pillow, watching me with wide eyes. “Can I help, Mommy?”

“Not this time,” I say softly, smoothing her hair before stepping toward the dress.

It’s beautiful, of course. Serge doesn’t do anything halfway. The bodice is covered in intricate lace, the skirt flowing and elegant. It’s exactly the kind of dress I’d imagined as a little girl, back when fairy tales seemed real and princes were kind.

Now it feels like a costume.

The maid steps forward as I hesitantly slip the dress from the bag, her hands deftly undoing the buttons and preparing it for me to try on. “It’s lovely, isn’t it?” she says, her tone conversational.

“It’s something,” I mutter under my breath, slipping out of my sweater and jeans.

The weight of the fabric settles over me as she helps guide it into place. It fits perfectly, of course. The lace clings to my torso, the skirt flaring out just enough to look regal without being overwhelming. I avoid the mirror, focusing instead on the children.

Alyssa beams, clapping her hands again. “You look like a princess!”

“Do I?” I ask, my voice tight.

Leo tilts his head, his gaze thoughtful. “You look pretty, Mommy.”

I swallow hard, forcing a small smile as I kneel to be closer to them. “Thank you, sweetheart.”

A knock at the door startles us, and Roman’s voice carries through. “Is it done?”

The maid glances at me, waiting for permission.

“Yes,” I say, standing carefully and smoothing the skirt. “It fits.”

Roman steps inside, his sharp eyes scanning the room before landing on me. He doesn’t comment on the dress, but there’s a flicker of satisfaction in his expression.

“Good,” he says simply. “Mr. Sharov will want to see it. You’re expected downstairs in an hour.”

Alyssa bounces on the bed again, oblivious to the tension thickening in the air. “You’re gonna get married, Mommy!”

I glance at Leo, who clings tighter to his bear, and then at Roman, whose presence feels suffocating despite his silence.

“I’ll be there,” I say, my voice steady despite the storm building inside me.

Roman nods and steps back out, the door closing behind him.

I kneel again, taking Alyssa’s hands in mine. “You two stay here, okay? Play with your toys. I’ll be back soon.”

Her face falls, but she nods. “Okay, Mommy.”

Leo just stares at me, his small face pinched with worry.

I force another smile, brushing his hair back. “Be good for me, baby.”

As I stand, my heart feels heavier with every step. Whatever comes next, I’ll have to face it. For now, I’ll hold on to the fact that they’re safe, even in this house that feels more like a prison.