When I arrived home that evening after collecting Sofia from daycare, she was still withdrawn.
"Mommy," she said quietly as I buckled her into her car seat, "am I really not allowed to be friends with Alexander?"
"No," I said firmly.
"But why not?"
"Because..." I scrambled for an explanation that wouldn't terrify her. "Because when Mommy says something isn't safe, that's final."
I knew it was a pathetic excuse, but I was too rattled to come up with anything better.
Sofia's face crumpled, but she didn't argue further.
At home, I tried to focus on making dinner, but I kept stealing glances toward the house next door. The windows remained dark, no sign of movement.
Maybe he wasn't home? Maybe this morning had just been a fluke, and our paths wouldn't cross again?
Even as I thought it, I knew I was deluding myself. He'd recognized me. He was probably right now trying to piece together why I was here, why I had a five-year-old daughter, why that daughter had his exact same eyes...
The knife slipped in my distracted grip, missing my finger by millimeters.
"Mommy!" Sofia shrieked.
I jerked back, staring at the blade in shock.
"Sorry, baby. Mommy's just tired."
"You've been acting strange all day," Sofia said, her small face creased with worry. "Are you sure you're not sick?"
"I'm perfectly fine," I lied, attempting a reassuring smile.
But we both knew that wasn't true.
Later that night, after Sofia was finally asleep, I sat on the edge of my bed staring at nothing.
My phone rang, making me jump. Yekaterina's name flashed on the screen.
"Anna, darling! How did your first day go? Are you settling in well at the paper?"
"It was fine," I managed.
"And the house? You love it, don't you?"
"It's beautiful, Katya. Thank you so much."
"I'm so pleased," she said warmly. "I knew it would be perfect for you two. Such a lovely neighborhood, and all the residents are so respectable—"
"Katya," I interrupted, my heart pounding, "do you happen to know anything about the man who lives next door?"
"Next door?" She paused thoughtfully. "I believe he's some sort of businessman. Very private, keeps to himself. Why do you ask? Is everything alright?"
She had no idea. No clue that her "respectable businessman" was one of the most dangerous men in the city.
"Oh, it's nothing," I said quickly. "I was just... making conversation."
"Anna, you sound upset," Yekaterina said, her maternal instincts kicking in. "What's really going on?"
"Nothing, really. I'm just exhausted from the first day. New job jitters, you know?"
