Page 26

One year later…

The house is alive with energy, the sound of laughter and conversation spilling into every corner. Brightly colored balloons and streamers hang from the ceiling, and the twins’ favorite theme—dinosaurs—decorates the tables and walls. Alyssa and Leo are buzzing with excitement, darting between guests with their usual boundless energy, their small faces lit with pure joy.

Serge’s family is here, along with a few close friends. Katya oversees everything with her usual poise, making sure the day runs smoothly, while Serge is in the living room, talking with some of his associates who came to celebrate. The sight of him relaxed, a rare softness to his usually sharp features, makes me pause.

He’s been different these past few months—calmer, more attentive. To me, to the kids. It’s a shift I didn’t expect, but one I find myself appreciating more than I care to admit.

“Chiara,” Katya’s familiar voice pulls me from my thoughts. She stands beside me, her warm smile an anchor in the whirlwind of activity. “Are you enjoying yourself?”

“I am,” I reply, glancing toward the twins. “The kids are so happy. Thank you for helping with all of this.”

She waves a hand dismissively, her earrings catching the light. “Anything for my grandchildren. They deserve the best.”

My gaze flickers across the room, scanning the faces of Serge’s family. There’s an absence that’s impossible not to notice. “I don’t see Maxim,” I say carefully, keeping my tone neutral.

Katya’s expression tightens slightly, but she covers it quickly with a sip of her champagne. “He wasn’t invited.”

The words surprise me. “He wasn’t?”

She shakes her head, her gaze softening as she looks at me. “Serge thought it would be better this way. He didn’t want any tension today. For the children’s sake—and yours.”

For a moment, I don’t know what to say. The realization that Serge considered my feelings—enough to exclude his own brother—is unexpected. He’s always been so confident, so commanding, that it’s easy to forget he’s capable of subtlety, of thoughtfulness.

“That’s… considerate of him,” I murmur, my heart tugging at the thought.

Katya nods, a knowing smile curving her lips. “He cares about you, Chiara. More than I think he’s willing to admit.”

Before I can respond, Alyssa’s shrill voice cuts through the room. “Mama! Papa! It’s time for presents!”

The twins gather at the base of the towering pile of gifts, their excitement infectious. Guests begin handing them carefully wrapped boxes—stuffed dinosaurs, puzzles, books, and clothes quickly pile up as they open each one with squeals of delight.

Then Serge steps forward, his hands clasped behind his back, his expression calm but carrying an undercurrent of mischief. “I have something special for you,” he says, his deep voice commanding everyone’s attention.

Alyssa and Leo both freeze, their wide eyes locking on to him. “What is it?” Alyssa breathes, practically bouncing on her toes.

Serge steps to the side, and a small brown puppy comes bounding into the room, its floppy ears and wagging tail drawing gasps and cheers from the twins. The puppy yips excitedly, its tiny paws skidding on the polished floor as it rushes toward Alyssa, who lets out a delighted squeal.

“A puppy!” she cries, dropping to her knees as the dog climbs into her lap, licking her face enthusiastically.

Leo is quieter but no less thrilled, his small hands gently petting the puppy’s soft fur. “Is he ours?” he asks, looking up at Serge with wide, hopeful eyes.

“He’s yours,” Serge says, crouching down to their level. “You’ll have to take care of him, though. He’s a big responsibility.”

The twins nod solemnly, though Alyssa’s beaming smile gives away her excitement. “We will! Right, Leo?”

Leo nods, his small fingers stroking the puppy’s ears. “What’s his name?”

“That’s up to you,” Serge says, his voice softening.

I stand off to the side, watching the scene unfold, a mix of emotions swirling within me. The puppy is adorable—soft brown fur, floppy ears, and the kind of boundless energy only a young dog has. But I’m also stunned. A labrador puppy. It’s such a big commitment, and while I’d considered getting one eventually, it hadn’t been on my immediate list of priorities.

Back in Montana, raising the twins alone had been enough of a challenge. Adding a dog to the mix had seemed impossible at the time. Now, though, things are different.

“They love him already,” Katya murmurs beside me, her smile widening as she watches the twins.

“They do,” I reply, my voice quieter. “It’s just… a lot.”

“Serge knows what he’s doing,” she says knowingly. “He’s thought this through. The children are thriving now. This is just another step toward building a life together.”

Her words settle heavily in my chest. She’s right—the twins are happier, more secure, and Serge is a big part of that. It’s not just his presence; it’s the way he’s thrown himself into their lives with such determination and care.

Serge glances over at me then, catching my eye. His expression softens, and for a moment, it’s just the two of us in the crowded room. I give him a small nod, and he smirks, clearly pleased with himself.

Alyssa’s voice snaps me back to the present. “Mama, look at him,” she calls, holding the squirming puppy up for me to see. “Isn’t he the cutest?”

I smile, walking over to crouch beside her. “He’s very cute,” I say, running my fingers through the puppy’s soft fur. “Do you have a name for him yet?”

“We’re thinking,” Alyssa says, her brow furrowing in concentration.

“We’ll decide soon,” Leo adds, his voice quiet but sure.

Serge stands behind me, his hand brushing lightly against my shoulder as he leans down. “What do you think?” he asks, his voice low enough for only me to hear.

“I think you’ve completely spoiled them,” I reply, though there’s no heat in my tone.

“They deserve it,” he says simply, his gaze fixed on the twins.

As I watch them play with their new puppy, their laughter filling the room, I can’t help but agree. This is what I wanted for them—a sense of family, of joy. Unexpectedly, Serge has given it to them.

And to me.

The sound of the twins’ laughter fills the air, blending with the playful barks of their new puppy. I stand to the side, watching Alyssa and Leo chase the energetic ball of fur around the room, their joy infectious. For a moment, everything feels perfect. The house feels like a home, alive with warmth and love, something I never thought possible not long ago.

As I soak in the moment, Serge appears beside me, his presence commanding even when he’s quiet. His hand brushes against mine, a light, deliberate touch that sends a shiver through me. I glance up at him, and his smirk softens into something more sincere.

“Come with me,” he murmurs, his voice low and private.

I hesitate, my gaze flickering back to the twins, but Katya steps in before I can say anything, her calm smile reassuring. “I’ll keep an eye on them,” she says, already moving toward the children.

Serge doesn’t give me a chance to argue, his hand slipping into mine as he leads me out of the room and down the hall. The buzz of the party fades behind us, replaced by the quiet intimacy of the dimly lit corridor. He stops near the large bay windows overlooking the garden, the soft glow of string lights outside casting shadows across his sharp features.

“Serge, what—”

Before I can finish, his hands cup my face, and he kisses me. It’s not the urgent, fiery kiss of our past; this one is softer, deeper, laced with an affection that makes my heart ache. My hands rest on his chest, his steady heartbeat thrumming beneath my palms as he draws me closer.

When he pulls back, his forehead rests against mine, and his breath warms my lips. “I can’t wait for more,” he says, his voice thick with emotion.

“More?” I ask, still catching my breath.

“Birthdays,” he murmurs, his thumb brushing lightly against my cheek. “Christmas mornings. Family dinners. All of it. I want every celebration, every ordinary day, with you and the kids.”

His words sink into me, warming every corner of my heart. “You make it sound so easy,” I whisper, my voice trembling with the weight of everything I feel for him.

“It is easy,” he replies, his hands moving to my waist, grounding me. “With you, it’s easy.”

I laugh softly, shaking my head. “You say that now. Wait until the puppy chews up your shoes.”

He grins, the rare, boyish expression lighting up his face. “Then I’ll buy more shoes.”

I roll my eyes, but the smile tugging at my lips betrays me. “You’re impossible.”

“You love it,” he counters, his tone teasing but confident.

I can’t argue with him—not anymore. “I do,” I admit softly, the words falling between us like a promise.

He leans down, his lips brushing against mine again, this time slower, savoring. His hands trace the curve of my back, pulling me flush against him, and I melt into the kiss, letting go of every doubt, every fear I’ve held on to for so long.

When we finally break apart, his hand slips into mine, his fingers intertwining with mine as if they belong there. “Come upstairs with me,” he says, his voice low and intimate.

I hesitate for only a moment, glancing toward the sound of the twins’ laughter echoing from the other room. “They’ll be fine with Katya for a little while,” he reassures me, sensing my worry.

I nod, letting him guide me up the stairs to our room. The door clicks softly behind us, and the quiet settles over us like a warm blanket. He turns to me, his eyes searching mine, and the weight of the moment presses against my chest.

“You’ve given me everything, Chiara,” he says, his voice steady and raw. “The family I didn’t know I needed. A reason to look forward to tomorrow. I’m never letting that go.”

Tears prick at my eyes, and I step closer, wrapping my arms around him. “You gave me that too,” I whisper. “I didn’t know I could have this. Not with you. Not with anyone.”

His arms tighten around me, and for a while, we simply hold each other, the silence between us speaking louder than words. When he leans down to kiss me again, it’s slow, tender, and filled with every unspoken promise we’ve made to each other.

Later, we lie tangled together, the moonlight streaming through the curtains casting silver patterns across the bed. Serge’s hand trails absentmindedly along my arm as I rest my head on his chest, the steady rise and fall of his breathing lulling me into a sense of peace I haven’t felt in years.

“What are you thinking about?” I ask softly, tracing small circles on his skin.

He pauses, his fingers brushing against mine. “The future,” he admits. “What it’ll look like. How I’ll make it better for all of us.”

I lift my head to look at him, his sharp features softened in the pale light. “You don’t have to do it alone,” I say, my voice firm. “We’ll figure it out together.”

His lips curve into a small smile, and he presses a kiss to my forehead. “Together,” he echoes.

For the first time, the weight of the past feels lighter, the uncertainty of the future less daunting. With Serge by my side, and the twins filling our home with their laughter, I know we’ll face whatever comes next.

This is our happily ever after.

*****

THE END