Page 38 of Sexting the Silverfox Daddy

Cassie

I'd been sitting in the hospital corridor outside the operating room for an entire night.

The cold bench dug into my back, making everything ache, but fear had numbed me to physical pain. Through the heavy glass doors, I could see Gennady lying on the hospital bed, surrounded by medical equipment, his chest rising and falling rhythmically.

Thank God Dimitri and the others arrived in time to get Gennady into emergency surgery.

But his condition was critical—from last night until now, those operating room doors hadn't opened once.

I couldn't bear to imagine losing him...

I couldn't accept it, refused to even consider the possibility.

Right now, my only wish is to pray for a miracle.

Mom had arrived at the hospital a few hours ago and now sat beside me, stroking my back over and over.

"He'll pull through, Cassie." Her voice was soft as a feather. "The doctor said the surgery went well. They got the bullet out."

I nodded but kept my eyes glued to that glass door. My fingers unconsciously rubbed my stomach again and again, where another tiny, quiet life rested—connected to him by blood, also waiting silently. We were both waiting.

At five in the morning, the light above the operating room door finally went dark. The doctor came out and allowed me into the ICU.

"Mr. Sokolov is out of immediate danger," the doctor's voice carried obvious exhaustion, "but he hasn't woken up yet. Talking to him might help bring him back. Once he wakes up, he'll basically be past the critical period."

"Thank you, doctor!" I eagerly tried to stand but got dizzy, swaying and nearly falling. Mom quickly caught my shoulders.

The ICU reeked of disinfectant, machines beeping with nerve-wracking regularity.

I tiptoed to the bedside. Gennady's face was pale as translucent paper, not a trace of color on his lips.

I carefully reached out, fingertips gently touching his ice-cold hand—that chill seemed to seep instantly into my bones.

I softly held his hand, trying to warm it with my own weak body heat, but didn't dare use any force, afraid of disturbing him.

"Gennady..." My voice was hoarse, carrying a sleepless night's exhaustion and heavy choking.

"It's me, Cassie. I'm here. I won't leave again.

I'm sorry for every word I said that hurt you.

" Hot tears poured out without warning, dripping onto his cold hand.

"I love you, always, always have. Please, open your eyes and look at us. "

Time crawled by with the machines' beeping. Outside the window, the sky slowly lightened from pitch black to gray. Just as the first ray of dawn struggled up the window frame—

His cold fingertip curled ever so slightly, tentatively, in my palm.

My heart stopped! I jerked my head up, holding my breath, hardly daring to blink.

Those deep eyes, dark as winter pools, were struggling to lift heavy eyelids bit by bit.

His thick lashes trembled with weakness, but when he finally focused and saw it was me, the tenderness that instantly surged in his eyes—almost enough to swallow me whole—burned hotter and brighter than the breaking dawn.

"Cassie..." His voice was dry and torn, like grinding gravel, but it was the most beautiful sound I'd ever heard.

"I'm here!" Tears burst forth instantly. "I'm right here, Gennady. I swear I'll never leave again!" I leaned down, gripping his hand tighter, as if trying to brand this promise into his palm.

His gaze moved with difficulty, filled with endless fear and worry, slowly sliding to my stomach. "The baby..." Each syllable drained his remaining strength.

"We're both fine," I immediately placed his hand gently, so gently, on my slightly swollen belly, voice tender but firm. "The doctor checked. We're both safe. She's strong, just like you."

I could clearly feel the subtle, disbelieving tremor in his fingertips under my palm.

When his hand, through the thin fabric, truly felt that warm curve nurturing life, his eyes flowed with an almost reverent warmth that could melt glaciers. That gaze locked on me again, all hard shells stripped away, leaving only an unprecedented, undisguised vulnerability and dependence.

As if a taut string suddenly loosened, heavy exhaustion overwhelmed him. He looked deeply at me, the corner of his lips seeming to curve in a barely perceptible arc, then sank heavily back into sleep.

My heart plummeted. I frantically checked his breathing—steady and even. He'd just fallen asleep. My heart, suspended all night, finally crashed down in relief. Massive exhaustion flooded over me like a tide. Without realizing it, I collapsed beside his bed and fell into dreams.

I don't know how long passed before I woke, wrapped in something warm and solid.

The instant consciousness returned, I found myself carefully cradled in Gennady's arms!

He was awake, staring intently at me, eyes deep and complex, weaving together post-disaster relief, the cherishing of something recovered, and a barely detectable anxiety.

"Oh God!" I nearly jumped up in shock. "How did I fall asleep here! Gennady, your wound! Did I press on it?" My frantic words cut off abruptly.

"I love you, Cassie." His low, hoarse voice carried undeniable power, clearer and more determined than ever before, crashing straight into my heart. "No matter how many times I had to do it over, I'd still find you. You're my only light in the darkness."

Hot tears filled my eyes again. I hugged him back fiercely, burying my face in his neck, greedily breathing in the scent of his real presence. "I love you, too, Gennady. With my whole life."

He gazed at me for a long time, deep eyes churning with a thousand unspoken words, finally releasing them in a low sigh carrying settled relief.

"I've done too many irreversible wrongs in this life, hands stained with blood that won't wash clean, but finding you, having you, is the only thing I did right. My only redemption."

"That's not the end," I lifted my head to meet his gaze, eyes sparkling with hope, gently kissing his hand. "We'll have a brand new beginning, Gennady. Us, and our child, we'll have a home full of love, warmth, and sunshine."

He gripped my hand tightly in return. Though weak, that strength carried do-or-die determination.

He nodded, and in the depths that had been shrouded in shadow for so long, a light called "hope" finally burned clear.

His voice, though hoarse, rang with conviction.

"I promise. I'll be the best husband, the best father.

I'll spend the rest of my life making sure you both live in sunshine every day, far from any shadows. That's my only vow."

"Good," I smiled, tears falling but sweet. "I believe you, Gennady. Together, we’ll create that future."

Two years later.

Vienna, backstage at the Golden Hall. Bright lights before the makeup mirror reflected my face, slightly flushed with nerves and anticipation. One last check of my gown and makeup—my fingertips were a bit cold.

"Nervous?" The familiar voice carried warmth. Gennady entered with Anya at his side, her little face red with excitement. In his arms, he carried a little girl in an exquisite white tulle dress, looking like an angel doll.

Our daughter, Elena. She'd inherited Gennady's deep jewel-green eyes and my rose-red hair, currently babbling and smiling at me.

My heart melted uncontrollably.

"A little," I exhaled honestly, turning to look at the most precious people in my life. "But mostly, I can't wait."

He approached, bringing Elena's faint milk scent, leaning down to place a gentle but solemn kiss on my forehead. "You'll be brilliant. The girls and I will be in the audience, proud of you." In his deep eyes lay undisguised trust and love.

Anya tugged at me. I bent down, and she left a sweet kiss on my cheek, smiling sweetly. "Mama, we'll support you from the audience the whole time!"

Warmth flooded through me instantly. Anya was smart, considerate. She'd approached carefully, with childlike sincerity, and finally, a year ago, she'd first shyly called me "Mama." That call filled some secret gap between us.

I smiled and kissed Anya's soft cheek. "Good, I love you, Anya."

Elena kicked her legs somewhat unhappily. I laughed and kissed her face too. "Mama loves you, too."

Gennady watched this scene with a smile. The happiness in my heart nearly overflowed. I leaned over and kissed him, too.

"Gennady, I love you."

The heavy curtains slowly parted. When I stepped onto that sacred and glorious stage of the Golden Hall, violin in hand that had accompanied me for years, brilliant crystal chandeliers lit the entire hall bright as day.

My gaze found the VIP section precisely—Mom sat upright, curious Elena in her arms, Anya beside Gennady, her face flushed with mixed nerves and excitement.

In that moment, all the lights, all the gazes converged here, but my world held only them. A complete, almost unreal happiness and satisfaction filled my chest heavily.

Taking a deep breath, I raised my bow. The first note poured out—"Salut d'Amour."

The strings vibrated, notes no longer just melody.

They transformed into tangible streams, carrying the absurdity of our meeting, the heart-piercing separation, the clinging together in despair, the joy of new life, and the peace of this moment bathed in sunshine.

Every turn, every crescendo told our story.

In the audience, Gennady stared at me, his emerald eyes clearly reflecting the stage lights, also brimming with moisture.

I saw him lower his head, lips near Elena's tiny ear, whispering something.

Little Elena was unusually quiet, those eyes so like his wide open, seeming drawn by the flowing melody.

Anya was even more entranced, hands tightly clasped on her lap, eyes sparkling with pure, worshipful starlight.

When the last lingering note slowly dissipated in the glorious hall's air, before the echo faded, thunderous applause erupted like a tidal wave, instantly surrounding me. I smiled and bowed to the audience, but my gaze remained locked on my harbor—my family.

Just as the applause began to calm and the host prepared to step forward, Gennady suddenly stood. Under hundreds of surprised, curious, knowing gazes, he walked with steady steps straight toward the stage.

The entire Golden Hall seemed to hit mute. Everyone held their breath, sensing what was about to happen.

He walked onto the stage, stopping before me.

Brilliant lights fell on his shoulders, elongating his tall figure.

Under countless focused gazes, in this sacred temple where countless great souls had stood, he slowly, with utmost solemnity, dropped to one knee.

From his inner suit pocket, he pulled out a deep blue velvet box and opened it—

A ring lay quietly inside. Not ostentatious luxury, but ultimate elegance and brilliance. The main stone was red as a rose, pure light flowing quietly surrounded by dense smaller diamonds, refracting intoxicating halos under the interplay of starlight and stage lights.

"Cassie Monroe," his voice echoed clearly and lovingly through the microphone in every corner of the Golden Hall, carrying a barely detectable tremor but absolutely firm and powerful.

"I didn't believe in love, didn't believe anyone in this world could love me without an agenda.

Until you appeared." He gazed at me. "You gave me love I never dared hope for.

When I'm with you, I can simply be me. Cassie, I was destined to fall for you.

I knew it from the first moment I saw you. "

He paused, the love in his eyes so intense it was almost tangible. "Now we have a home, and we have Elena. But I'm still greedy for more."

He took a deep breath, every word hammering on my heart.

"I want an eternal promise, a vow witnessed by God, by the stars, by everyone.

Cassie, Моя розочка, will you marry me? Become my wife, let me use every remaining day of my life to prove I deserve this happiness?

Let us promise each other, this life, this world, never to part? "

The whole world seemed to go quiet. The cheers from the audience, the blessings, all receded far away. My eyes held only him and that ring sparkling in his palm under the lights. All language felt inadequate—only surging tears expressed everything.

"Yes!" My voice carried heavy sobs but rang absolutely clear and firm. "I will! Gennady Sokolov, I will!"

He stood, carefully sliding that ring symbolizing eternity onto my ring finger.

The instant our fingertips touched, warmth shot straight to my heart.

The next second, I was pulled tightly into his embrace, a kiss carrying tears and infinite cherishing landing on my hair.

In the audience, silence instantly ignited!

Applause, cheers, whistles ten times, a hundred times more enthusiastic than before, erupted like a volcano throughout the Golden Hall, the sound waves nearly lifting the angel-painted dome.

In the VIP section, Mom was already crying freely. Anya jumped up excitedly, the brightest smile blooming on her little face. Elena seemed infected by this massive joy too, babbling and waving her tiny hands.

In this moment, under Vienna's brilliant stars, in the Golden Hall's glorious lights, witnessed by hundreds of hearts together, we finally, truly, completely became one.

Dear precious reader,thank you for reading Sexting the Silverfox Daddy ! When I finished writing the book, I couldn't put down my penyet...

not until I wrote a little something extra special just for you, click here to get your bonus epilogue

PS: If you liked Sexting the Silverfox Daddy , I think you'll also like Sexted by a Stranger ! Go to the next page for a sneak peek...