“We’ll see.”
The drive feels longer than it should. The twins are quiet, staring out the windows at unfamiliar streets. When we turn onto the private drive and pass through the iron gates, both of them sit up straighter.
“Whoa,” Alexei breathes.
The estate comes into view, and I see it through their eyes. Massive. Intimidating. Nothing like the small house we just left.
“Is that where we’re living?” Mila whispers.
“Yes.”
“It’s so big.”
“I know.”
The car stops in front of the main entrance. The driver opens my door, then helps with the twins. Staff members I don’t recognize appear to collect our bags.
I keep both children close, one hand on each of their shoulders.
A woman in a neat uniform approaches. “Mrs. Volkov, welcome home. I’m Elena, the head housekeeper. Mr. Volkov asked me to show you and the children to your rooms.”
Mrs. Volkov. The name sounds wrong.
“Thank you,” I say.
Elena leads us inside. The twins stare at everything. The chandelier, the marble floors, the grand staircase. It’s overwhelming even for me.
“The children’s rooms are this way.” Elena takes us up the stairs and down a hallway. She opens two doors across from each other. “This room is for Mila, and this one is for Alexei. Mr. Volkov had them prepared specially.”
I look inside Mila’s room first. It’s huge. Canopy bed with pink bedding, bookshelves already filled with books, and a toy chest overflowing with dolls and stuffed animals. Alexei’s room is similar but decorated in blue, with trucks, building blocks, and a race car bed.
“These are ours?” Mila asks, eyes wide.
“Yes,” Elena says, smiling. “Do you like them?”
Mila nods slowly. Alexei walks into his room and touches the race car bed like he’s afraid it might disappear.
“Your mother’s room is down the hall,” Elena tells them. She turns to me. “Would you like to see it?”
“Later. I’ll stay with the twins while they settle in.”
“Of course. Lunch will be ready in an hour. I’ll have it brought up unless you’d prefer to eat in the dining room.”
“Up here is fine.”
Elena nods and leaves.
I help the twins unpack, putting their familiar clothes and toys alongside all the new things Luca bought. Mila sits on her bed, clutching her stuffed rabbit. Alexei builds a tower with blocks, but his hands are shaking.
“It’s going to be okay,” I tell them.
I don’t know if I believe it.
We’re still unpacking when I hear footsteps in the hallway. Heavy. Measured.
Luca appears in Mila’s doorway.
He’s changed from this morning. Dark jeans, a black shirt. He looks less severe but no less intimidating. His eyes sweep the room, taking in the scattered toys, the half-empty suitcase, and the twins frozen in place staring at him.
