“No,” he says quietly. “Stay still.”
My breathing quickens.
“Tell me,” I manage, my voice thinner now. “Tell me. My—”
The words feel like they take everything I have left.
Before I can finish, the door flies open.
Timofey.
He bursts in like the room itself called him here—eyes sharp, wild with fear that hasn’t settled yet. His gaze locks onto me instantly.
“Get out. Everyone get out,” he growls.
There’s no hesitation. No argument.
The room clears almost immediately—staff rushing out, Elena still crying as she’s guided away, Misha lingering only a second longer before the door shuts behind them.
Silence drops hard.
Timofey is at my side in seconds.
“Valeria,” he says, voice lower now. Controlled—but strained at the edges. “Are you alright?”
I nod quickly. Too quickly. Like I need him to believe it before I fully believe it myself.
“I’m okay,” I whisper, finding my voice again now that he’s here. “I’m okay.”
My hand moves instinctively.
“My baby,” I say immediately. “Timofey—my baby.”
His expression shifts instantly. Focus sharpens. The fear doesn’t leave his face. He turns to the doctor without looking away from me.
“How is the baby?” The question is flat.
The doctor pauses just briefly, then exhales, and a small, controlled smile appears on his face.
“The baby is fine,” he says calmly.
For a second, I don’t move. I don’t breathe properly.
Then it hits me all at once.
Relief.
It rushes through me so fast my body gives out slightly. I sag against Timofey before I even realize it. He catches me immediately.
His arms tighten around me, steadying me against his chest like he’s afraid I might disappear if he loosens his grip even a little.
“I’ve got you,” he says quietly.
The doctor clears his throat gently, stepping closer to the bedside.
“The poison she consumed was dangerous,” he explains, voice measured, professional. “But it was administered in a small enough dose. Immediate treatment prevented serious damage.”
“If she had delayed seeking help…” he continues carefully, “the outcome could have been far more severe.”
