Silence.
I sighed, hoping that she would, anyway.
The next day was worse.
My cousin Anna arrived with her three children who immediately turned my house into a war zone. Then Uncle Boris showed up with his new wife who insisted on reorganizing my kitchen. Sergei's girlfriend wanted a house tour. Irina decided to cook dinner for everyone.
And through it all, Katrina was everywhere and nowhere. She managed chaos, soothed egos, keeping everything running smoothly. But never alone. Never within reach.
I tried to catch her in the pantry. Someone needed her in the dining room. Tried to corner her in the hallway. The children needed help to find their toys. I tried to pull her into my study. Elena interrupted with a question about linens. By the fourth night, I was ready to throw everyone out and lock the doors.
"You're tense," Mikhail observed as we stood on the balcony, watching snow fall.
"I'm fine."
"You've checked your watch six times in the past ten minutes."
"I have things to do."
"You mean someone to do."
I shot him a look.
He raised his hands. "Just saying. Maybe instead of brooding out here, you should actually talk to her."
"I'm trying. There are too many people."
"Then send them home."
"I invited them here."
"So?" Mikhail clapped me on the shoulder. "Since when do you let anyone stop you from getting what you want?"
He had a point.
I was about to go find her when the doorbell rang.
"Who the hell could this be?" I checked my watch. Nearly ten PM. "Everyone's already here."
"Want me to check?" Mikhail asked.
"I'll get it."
I headed downstairs, irritation mounting. Whoever this was, they'd picked the wrong night to come fucking knocking. I opened the door and froze.
Adrienne stood there, snowflakes in her dark hair, looking exactly as she had a year ago when I'd ended things. Beautiful. Manipulative. And holding the hand of a little girl with my eyes. My princess, Mila.
"Hello, Olek," Adrienne said. "Surprise."
"Daddy!" Mila launched herself at me.
I caught her automatically, my heart clenching. "Mila. Baby. What are you doing here?"
"Mama said we could visit for Christmas!" She was seven now, losing her baby face, all knees and elbows and excitement. "Are you surprised?"
‘Surprised’ didn't begin to cover it.
"Very surprised." I looked at Adrienne over Mila's head. "What are you doing here?"
