“Anna and I will probably have more children. Eventually.”
Maxim goes very still. “More children.”
“Yes.”
“You’re sure?”
“We discussed it. It makes sense. The twins need siblings closer to their age. And I want a larger family.”
“So there will be more competition for inheritance.”
I turn to look at him. “Is that what you hear when I say I want more children? Competition?”
“No. I just…I’m processing.”
“Process faster. Because here’s the reality—you’re my eldest son and my heir. That doesn’t change regardless of how many children I have. But if you can’t accept that I’m building a family that includes people other than you, then you’ll lose your position through your own choices. Not because someone else took it.”
“I understand.”
“Do you? Because three weeks ago, you questioned the twins’ legitimacy at a dinner table. If Anna and I have more children, are you going to do that again?”
“No. I was wrong. I know that now.”
“Knowing isn’t enough. You need to prove it. To me, to Anna, and especially to the twins.”
“How?”
“Start by apologizing to all three of them. And then show up. Be present. Learn their names, their interests, and what makes them happy. Be a brother instead of a rival.”
Maxim nods. “I can do that.”
“Can you? Because it requires actual effort. It means coming to family dinners and playing with four-year-olds and reading bedtime stories occasionally. It means being someone they can trust.”
“I want to be that person.”
“Then prove it.”
I head toward the door. Maxim follows. “Where are we going?” he asks.
“Garden. You’re going to apologize to the twins first. Then Anna. Then you’re staying for lunch, whether Mila thinks there’s enough sandwiches or not.”
“What if they don’t want to see me?”
“Then you’ll try again tomorrow. And the next day. Until they believe you’ve changed.”
We walk through the house toward the garden. Anna appears in the hallway carrying a tray of sandwiches. She stops when she sees Maxim. “What’s he doing here?”
“Apologizing,” I say. “To everyone.”
“I don’t want him near the twins if he’s going to?—”
“He won’t.” I look at Maxim. “Will you?”
“No. I’m here to apologize. Properly. To make things right.”
Anna looks between us. “You’re serious.”
“Yes,” Maxim says. “I was wrong. About everything. I’m sorry.”
