Page 19

Then there’s Kayla. When she joined, she was all fire and steel, ready to take on the world for us. But I never really saw her, you know? She was just there, doing her job, nothing more.

Now she’ll leave, and part of me feels like I should’ve seen this coming. Could I have changed things? Fuck, I don’t know. It’s not like I’m the sentimental type.

Standing outside Sofia’s door, I knock hard. “Sofia, it’s Viktor. Can I come in?”

Silence. I’m not surprised. But I’m not leaving until we sort this out.

“Listen, I know you’re pissed. You’ve got every right to be. But shutting us out won’t fix it. Can we talk?”

I say, my voice firm. I’m not here to coddle her, but she needs to understand we’re trying to make things right.

“Hey,” I say as she opens the door. Her eyes are red, puffy from crying. Shit. I hate seeing her like this and wish there was something I could’ve done to prevent it.

“May I come in?” I ask, my voice softer than usual.

She just nods, sniffing back tears. Damn, this is harder than I thought.

I leave the door slightly ajar behind me and look around, trying to figure out how to lighten the mood, even just a little. “So, did those assholes hurt your feelings, huh? Don’t worry, I kicked them out of the house,” I say, trying to crack a small joke.

She lets out a little chuckle, and it’s like a small victory. But I know it’s not enough. I need to make her feel safe, let her know she’s not alone in this fucked-up situation.

We sit on the edge of the bed, the tension palpable. She’s got a tear rolling down her cheek, and it twists something in my gut. “I never wished it to be like this, Viktor,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper.

She looks up at me with those damn beautiful green eyes. They’re like a punch to the chest every time.

Without thinking, my hands move to her face, thumbs gently wiping away her tears. “Hey, none of us planned for a soap opera, but here we are, right?” I try to lighten the mood, but my voice betrays the concern I feel.

She gives a small, watery laugh. “Soap opera? More like a bad mafia movie.”

I can’t help but chuckle, despite the mess we’re in. “Well, if it’s any consolation, you’d definitely be the star of the show.”

She shakes her head, a faint smile breaking through. “Thanks, Viktor. For a tough guy, you’re not so bad.”

I shrug, trying to maintain my gruff exterior. “Don’t let it get around, or it’ll ruin my reputation.”

I shift slightly, trying to find the right words. “So... you decided to be the biological mother, huh?”

She nods, a determined look in her eyes. “I did, yes. I didn’t want Kayla’s baby in me.”

I let out a low chuckle, the situation’s irony not lost on me. “Yes, that’s understandable.”

“Really?” Sofia looks surprised, maybe even a little relieved.

“Yes. She’s probably gathering her stuff right now and then she’ll leave,” I say matter-of-factly.

Sofia’s gaze turns contemplative. “You don’t feel bad about that?”

“No. Why would I?” I reply. My connection with Kayla was always more business than personal. Her leaving doesn’t affect me much.

There’s a brief silence as we both sit with the weight of everything that’s happened.

I notice another tear welling up in her eye and instinctively, my hand reaches out to wipe it away. There’s a gentleness in the gesture, a softness I don’t often allow myself to show. “Tell me,” I urge, my voice low.

“Tell you what?” She looks at me, a hint of curiosity in her tear-streaked face.

“Tell me one thing that would cheer you up right now.”

She pauses, thinking, then a small smile plays on her lips. “Uh, I don’t know. A grilled cheese?”