Alexander Volkov lived next door.
A goddamned, catastrophic coincidence.
I collapsed on the couch, head in hands.
What now?
Should I relocate? But where? I had no money, nowhere to go. What about Sofia's school? One of New York's finest institutions—Yekaterina had fought so hard for that placement...
I'd just promised Yekaterina we'd stay one year, that Sofia would attend that excellent school...
If I reneged now, what would Yekaterina think? She'd demand explanations.
What could I possibly say? "Because my daughter's biological father lives next door—the Pakhan I've been fleeing for five years"?
Should I tell him the truth?
No. Absolutely not.
He was the Pakhan. If he discovered Sofia's existence...
My mind raced through terrifying possibilities—he'd steal my daughter, eliminate me, use Sofia as leverage, drag us into his lethal world...
No. I couldn't allow that.
I inhaled deeply, forcing calm.
Stay calm, Anna. Stay calm.
Perhaps he wouldn't notice us. Large neighborhood, neighbors needn't interact. If I remained careful, avoided him, kept irregular hours, didn't linger in the yard...
Yes, I could manage this.
Five years ago, I escaped him. Now, I could hide myself and my daughter right under his nose.
Just stay careful. Stay cautious...
For Sofia, I hadto make it.
"Mommy?" Sofia's voice returned me to reality. "Your hands are shaking."
I looked down—they trembled violently, like autumn leaves in wind.
"Mommy's just cold." I forced what must have been a ghastly smile. "Sweetheart, go play in your room, okay? Mommy needs to handle work matters."
Sofia hesitated but nodded obediently and left.
Once alone, I rushed to the window, fingers shaking as I created a tiny gap in the curtains, peering carefully outside.
The neighboring house sat silent, no visible activity.
But I knew he was there.
The man I hadn't seen in five years, yet had never truly forgotten.
Chapter Seven
Alexander
