As I walk in, Roman looks up and goes still, like any sudden movement might send me running, while Kirill remains beside him, silent and watchful, his eyes following me as I cross the room.
Radimir practically jumps out of his seat, his face lighting up when he sees me. He takes a step toward me, arms half-raised like he wants to hug me but isn't sure if he's allowed. "You're awake, I'm so glad, I was so worried about you all night."
I step to the side quickly, putting space between us before he can close the distance. "Please don't."
He stops immediately, his face falling just a little, and I can see the hurt flash across his features even though he tries to hide it. "Right, sorry, too fast, I understand, I just...I'm happy to see you up."
Roman clears his throat. "Morning, little sister."
Kirill nods. "Good morning."
"Morning," I say flatly. I sit down and they all sit too, moving carefully like they're afraid of scaring me off, and one of the staff asks if they should bring more food.
Radimir speaks before I can. "Bring her more options, let her choose whatever she wants."
I shake my head. "No need, this is fine."
"Are you sure?" he asks gently. "You should eat properly, you need your strength."
"I'm sure." Breakfast is quiet and awkward, at this point I'm not hungry, I'm just waiting for a chance to ask the only question that been plaguing my mind.
"Where's Tessa?" I look up at Roman and Kirill.
Roman exchanges a glance with Kirill, then looks back at me. "She had some complications, her ribs weren't healing right so we moved her to the hospital, she's in surgery now to make sure everything heals correctly."
My chest tightens. "Surgery?"
Kirill nods. "She'll be fine, the doctors said it's routine, they just need to make sure there's no internal damage."
I want to see her, I need to be there, but I'm so weak I can barely make it down the stairs without feeling dizzy.
I hate that I can't be there for her, she's in a hospital bed because of me.
"Can I see her when she's out?" I ask quietly.
Roman nods. "Of course, as soon as she's stable we'll take you."
I look down at my plate, guilt twisting in my stomach. Tessa got hurt because of me, she came with me when she should've stayed safe.
After breakfast, the four of us move to the study, and the moment the door closes I know this is going to be hard.
We sit down and coffee is brought in, I take a cup but I don't drink, my hands won't stop shaking and I feel a lump in my throat, along with a throbbing headache.
Radimir speaks first. "I want to say again how sorry I am for what happened, for how my men treated you, it wasn't right and I should've protected you better."
I look at him and say. "You're only sorry because I'm your daughter, if I was just some random woman you wouldn't care."
He doesn't argue, his eyes dropping, and the truth sits heavy between us.
"But," I continue, "I'm not here to judge you, I came to deliver my mother's message and then I'm leaving."
He nods slowly. "Alright."
I take a breath and recite the words, every single one burned into my memory.
"She wanted you to know that she doesn't hate you, she said: 'I don't hate you, I love you, I know you did everything you could for us to be together but it wasn't meant to be, I hope you live a better life than I was able to, I'll never forget you even in death, even as I took my last breath all I could think about was you and the time we had together, we have a child, one that our love created, and I pray that one day you'll meet her and love her the way I wished we could have together, but my time is up, with love, Elizaveta."
After my word ends I don't cry, he on the other hand starts to tremble, tears spill over, and he turns away like he's ashamed but they keep coming. "Elizaveta," he whispers, his voice breaking. "My sweet Elizaveta, I'm so sorry, I couldn't save you."
