So good to see you today! Let’s do it again soon. Miss you!
I stare at the message. Why does it feel like a threat?
12
LUCA
I’m halfwaydown the stairs when Alexei crashes into my legs.
The impact is light but unexpected. He stumbles backward, loses his balance, and lands hard on the hallway floor. A toy dinosaur skitters across the marble.
I look down at him. He looks up at me with wide green eyes.
“Sorry,” he says quickly.
Mila appears from around the corner, breathless. She sees me and stops running.
“It’s fine,” I tell Alexei. “Watch where you’re going.”
He scrambles to his feet and grabs the dinosaur. Doesn’t run away this time. Just stands there watching me with the same careful assessment I’ve seen from Anna.
“What are you playing?” I ask.
“Dinosaurs. I’m chasing Mila.”
“I see. Did you catch her?”
“Not yet.”
Mila edges closer to her brother. Still wary of me, but not hiding behind furniture anymore like she did the first week.
“Maybe you should try a different strategy,” I say. “If chasing isn’t working.”
Alexei considers this seriously. “Like what?”
“Predict where she’s going instead of following where she’s been. Cut her off before she gets there.”
“That’s cheating,” Mila protests.
“That’s winning,” I correct.
“What are you doing?” Anna’s voice is sharp.
She’s standing in the doorway of her bedroom, already dressed. Hair pulled back, no makeup. She looks like she didn’t sleep.
“Talking,” I say.
“To my children.”
“They ran into me. I didn’t seek them out.”
“Mila. Alexei. Go get dressed.” Her tone leaves no room for argument.
The twins look at each other. Some silent communication passes between them. Then they run to their rooms without protest.
Anna walks toward me. “I’ve told you?—”
“Multiple times. Yes. I’m aware of your position.”
