CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR
VIKTOR
I really shouldn’t be doing this…
But I can’t stop myself.
Avelina is at work as usual.
I move quietly through the apartment, every step rehearsed a thousand times in my head.
The lock takes less than a minute to pick. No one is going to know.
The sight of the kids’ toys makes a pang ache in my chest. I turn around and distract myself by looking around the kitchen. The flowers I sent a few days ago—without a card—will soon start to wilt. I scowl. I can’t have that. Because Avelina loves flowers. That tightness in my chest makes me wince, and I rub at it. I decide to replace them with identical tulips and lilies before she can notice.
I’ve been watching Avelina since she left and came back here just over two weeks ago, but today, I’m taking things a step further.
After driving to the store, I return to the apartment, cut the stemsjust so, and arrange them in the vase. Professional but not perfect—just the way she likes it.
I noticed she’s nearly out of her favorite coffee, so I also collected some of that on my trip to the store. And now, I pour the new grounds into her coffee caddy. Organic. Ethiopian. Medium Roast. The way she loves to start her day.
Then I finish installing the cameras.
It’s an invasion of her privacy, I know, but I can’t help it. At least then, if something happens, I’ll know.Because I have to keep her safe.
My fingers twitch as I double-check the kitchen cabinet where I put the coffee caddy. Another container is slightly out of place. I fix it automatically. I step back, scanning it all, everything returned to exactly where it needs to be. Perfect. Meticulous.
I don’t even think of setting up a camera in her bedroom. That’s a line I don’t want to cross. I wouldn’t survive it anyway.
The soft meow at my feet draws my attention. Queenie rubs her body against my leg.
“I know,” I mutter softly, bending down to scoop her up.
She purrs against my chest, a vibrating tiny engine that I’ve missed so much.
“I’ve missed you too,” I murmur, my voice slightly cracking.
After swallowing the lump in my throat, I feed her a treat, clean her litter tray, and brush her fur just the way she likes it for twenty minutes straight. It calms me just as much as it soothes her. When she finally curls into a ball on the windowsill, I sit down beside her, stroking her softly.
“I wish it were different,” I tell her. “Thank you for helping me…feel something.” I sigh, feeling stupid talking to a cat, but here we are. “For making me feelnot alone.” I rub behind her ears just the way she likes. “Just take care of them, okay?”
Queenie purrs in response, and I stand to leave. My watch buzzes. Avelina is coming home.
I sweep through the apartment one last time, then slip out and into my SUV. I’m three blocks away by the time she unlocks the door.
My eyes are glued to my phone as her lights come on. She’s home.Safe.
I sit in my SUV for God knows how long, watching her on my phone.
Hours later, she’s curled up on the couch half-asleep now that Leon and Sofia are fast asleep. I wonder if she’s dreaming. And if she’s dreaming of me…
CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
VIKTOR
TWO MONTHS LATER
I’m still watching her. Every detail of her life. How the children are. And Queenie, of course.
