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Even in her darkest hour, she knew I would come for her. She trusted me, believed in me. I close my eyes against the sudden sting of tears, my throat working as I swallow past the lump that rises to choke me. I clutch her closer, my arms banding around like I could make her a part of me through sheer force of will.

“Always,” I whisper back. “Always, Katerina. No matter what. Until the end of my days and beyond, I will always come for you. I will always find you.”

21

KATERINA

I wince as Dr. Ferrante gently probes the bruise on my temple, his fingers cool and professional against my skin. Despite his careful touch, I can’t help but flinch, a hiss of pain escaping through my clenched teeth.

“Sorry, Dr. Sokolov,” he murmurs, his voice low and soothing. “I know it’s tender, but I need to check for any signs of fracture or more serious injury.”

I grit my teeth, forcing myself to hold still as he continues his examination.

It’s not just the physical pain that’s setting my nerves on edge, though. It’s the whole situation—being on the other side of the stethoscope, so to speak.

I’m not used to being the patient, and I don’t much like it.

Dr. Ferrante seems to sense my discomfort, because he flashes me a sympathetic smile as he steps back, making a few notes on his clipboard. “I know it’s not easy for you, being on this end of things,” he says gently. “But you’re doing great, Dr. Sokolov. Just try to relax and let me do my job, okay?”

I take a deep breath, forcing myself to nod. “Okay,” I mutter, my voice coming out a little rougher than I’d like. “What’s the verdict, doc? Am I going to live?”

He chuckles softly, shaking his head. “I think you’ll pull through and your baby is healthy,” he assures me. “But you do need rest, and plenty of it. That concussion is no joke, Dr. Sokolov. You need strict bedrest for at least the next 24 hours, and we’ll need to keep a close eye on your symptoms.”

I open my mouth to argue, but he holds up a hand, forestalling my protests. “I know, I know. You’re a tough cookie, Dr. Sokolov. But even tough cookies need to take it easy sometimes. Doctor’s orders.”

I sigh, slumping back against the pillows. “Fine,” I grumble. “But I’m not going to the hospital. I can rest just as well here.”

Dr. Ferrante frowns, looking like he wants to argue.

Then he glances over at Nico, who’s been hovering anxiously at my bedside throughout the entire examination.

Something unspoken passes between them, and the doctor nods, relenting.

“All right,” he sighs. “We can hold off on the hospital for now. But if your symptoms worsen, or if you develop any new ones, I want you in the ER immediately. No arguments. Understood?”

“Understood,” I echo, too tired and sore to put up much of a fight.

Dr. Ferrante nods, satisfied. He gathers up his things, murmuring a few final instructions to Nico before taking his leave. The moment the door closes behind him, Nico is at my side, his hands gentle as he helps me settle more comfortably against the pillows.

“You heard the man,” he murmurs, his lips brushing my temple as he pulls the covers up around my shoulders. “Rest. That’s an order, Katerina.”

Despite everything, I find myself smiling. Trust Nico to turn a doctor’s recommendation into a command. I let my eyes drift closed, already feeling the pull of exhaustion tugging at my mind. But as I start to slip under, a thought occurs to me.

“Nico,” I mumble, forcing my eyes open again. “What happened? While I was…gone. How did you find me?”

He goes still beside me, his body tensing. For a moment, I think he might not answer. But then he sighs, his hand coming up to stroke my hair in a soothing, repetitive motion.

“I called your cousins,” he says quietly. “I told them everything. About Seraphina, about you. I didn’t have a choice, Katerina. I needed their help. I couldn’t…” His voice cracks, raw with emotion. “I couldn’t lose you.”

My heart clenches at the pain and vulnerability in his voice. I reach for him, my hand finding his in the semi-darkness. “You didn’t,” I whisper. “You found me, Nico. You saved me.”

He brings our joined hands to his lips, pressing a fervent kiss to my knuckles. “Always,” he vows. “I will always find you, Katerina. No matter what. No matter how.”

We lapse into silence then, just holding each other, taking comfort in the steady rise and fall of our shared breathing. But as the minutes tick by, I realize something and I sit up, wincing as my head pounds.

“If you told Nikolai and Maksim about Seraphina,” I say slowly, “then that means…”

“They know where she is,” Nico finishes for me, nodding. “And they’re coming, along with her parents.”