Yekaterina gave me an encouraging look.
I glanced at Alexander. "Can we go upstairs and talk?"
In my bedroom, I closed the door and leaned against it. My hands were trembling, heart pounding like thunder.
"Anna," Alexander said, "you look nervous. What's going on?"
I took a deep breath and looked straight into his eyes. This was the point of no return.
"Alex, I have something to tell you. About Sofia."
His expression grew serious. "What is it?"
I bit my lip, then lifted my head to meet his eyes directly. "Sofia is your daughter."
The room fell into dead silence.
Alexander just stood there, his expression slowly shifting from shock to something more complex. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, then opened them again.
"I know," he said quietly.
"What?" I froze.
"From the first moment I saw her, I suspected," he slowly walked to the window, turning his back to me. "Her eyes, her smile... too similar. But I was waiting for you to tell me."
His voice was calm, but I could hear the pain underneath.
"Five years, Anna," he turned to face me, eyes full of complex emotions. "Five whole years. Do you know what it felt like when I realized the truth?"
I bit my lip as tears started flowing. "I'm so sorry—"
"I'm not blaming you," he interrupted, walking over to sit on the bed's edge. "I think I understand the position you were in. A twenty-one-year-old girl, facing pregnancy alone... that must have been terrifying."
His understanding made me feel even more guilty. "Alex..."
"But," he looked up at me, "now I know. Now everything's different."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean I want to make up for those lost five years," his voice became firm. "I want to really know her, be part of her life. Not as the neighbor, but as her father."
I could feel the determination in his words, but there was no threat, only deep longing.
"I understand what you're thinking," I said, "but Sofia doesn't know the truth yet. We can't suddenly—"
"I know," he nodded. "I won't tell her impulsively. But Anna, I need you to give me a chance. A real chance to know my daughter."
Looking at the sincerity in his eyes, my heart softened a little. "What kind of chance?"
"Let me be part of her daily life," he said. "Not just occasional visits. I want to pick her up from school, help with homework, hear about her day. I want to be an important part of her life, even if she doesn't know my real identity yet."
"Alex, isn't that too fast?"
"For me, it's already five years too late," he said softly, without accusation. "But I understand your concerns. We can take it slow, at whatever pace you're comfortable with."
His gentleness surprised me.
"You're... not angry?" I asked carefully.
