Page 134 of Porcelain Lies

There’s that strange insistence again.

“I’ll eat in a little while,” I tell her, keeping my voice neutral. “I’m planning another swim.”

Something like panic flashes across her face before she schools her expression. “But Miss must—”

“I said later,” I cut her off firmly.

Aleksei must have put the fear of God into her. I don’t normally eat this early.

Imelda’s shoulders slump slightly as she retreats, leaving the covered dish behind. Rising, I slide back into the water and float onto my back, letting the silence surround me as I stare up into the sky.

I think about all that’s happened these past weeks. The situation I now find myself in.

Could my life possibly get any stranger?

“Don’t tempt fate,”says Boyana.

Good point. Every time I think things have gotten as crazy as they possibly can get, the world takes a turn for the worse. I huff out a breath, and stand, finding my feet.

“Hello, Stella.”

I yelp at the sight of Aleksei’s sister sitting on the lounger I vacated.

“Diana!” I blurt. “I… I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Clearly not.” She looks around. “Enjoying your swim?”

“Um… Yes. I was just about to have dinner.” I don’t know why I feel the need to tell her. But it occurs to me that the tray is nowhere in sight. “At least, I thought I was.” I frown as I clamber out of the pool, dripping water.

She hands me a towel as she rises. “No dinner for you tonight.”

“What?” I ask, rubbing water from my face.

“You heard me.” She runs an eye over me, her eyes pausing on my belly. I resist the urge to cover myself with the towel. “Have a good evening.” She walks away.

“Wait! I…” I stop talking when I realize she’s still walking. I don’t know what the fuck is happening here, but I doubt she’s going to explain it to me.

Boyana was right. I shouldn’t have tempted fate.

Because things just got even weirder.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Aleksei

I help Bobik settle back into his room, my hands gentle as I adjust his wheelchair position by the desk.

His cheeks are still flushed from our game, eyes bright with lingering excitement.

“That was awesome,Papa. Can we play again tomorrow?”

“We’ll see,malysh.” I ruffle his dark hair, so much like my own. “First, finish your homework.”

He grabs his science textbook with an enthusiasm that makes my chest tighten. I push my worries down, focusing on his smile instead.

“Do svidaniya, Papa.”

I press a kiss to his temple, inhaling his boyish scent before straightening. The hidden door clicks shut behind me, sealing Bobik’s laughter into silence. Cold marble replaces the attic’s carpet under my shoes. By the time I reach the stairs, my thumb already traces the knife sheath beneath my sleeve — a grounding ritual older than fatherhood.

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