Page 150 of Porcelain Lies

“Smart,” I nod. “You’re very thoughtful about this.”

He shrugs modestly. “I just want to help people.”

“You’re already making a difference,” I tell him softly.

A gentle throat-clearing interrupts us. Diana stands by the doorway, a faint smile on her lips. “I think that’s enough for today.”

Bobik’s face falls slightly. “Already?”

“You need to rest,malysh,” she insists gently. “And Stella likely has other things to attend to.”

“Actually, I—” I find myself objecting, because I could happily stay here all day.

“It’s okay,” he interjects. “Maybe we can talk again soon?”

“I’d like that very much,” I say sincerely.

He offers a small wave as I step back toward the door. “Thank you for talking with me.”

“Thank you for sharing your incredible work,” I reply.

He gives a small, shy smile. “Will you come back… tomorrow?”

“Try and stop me,” I tease gently.

He laughs, and the sound is pure joy. My throat tightens.

As I step into the hallway, Diana falls into step beside me. “You have a way with him,” she remarks.

“He’s easy to be with,” I reply.

She studies me for a moment. “Perhaps your presence here is… for the best.”

I glance at her, surprised by the admission. “Maybe,” I say, because I’m still trying to come to terms with my new reality.

As Diana and I make our way back through the quiet halls, an unspoken understanding settles between us. My mind is still buzzing with all that’s happened in the past few hours.

“He’s an exceptional boy,” I remark softly.

“He is,” Diana agrees.

“Thank you for allowing me to meet him.”

She pauses, her gaze distant. “Bobik doesn’t often connect with people. It’s… good for him to have someone else to talk to.”

“I’m happy to be that person,” I offer.

She glances at me, her expression unreadable. “You seem different than I expected.”

I smile slightly. “Is that a compliment?”

“An observation,” she says curtly, though her eyes soften.

We continue in silence until we reach my room. As she turns to leave, she adds, “You really want to visit him again tomorrow?”

“I do.” It feels strange to say it because I never thought I’d find myself feeling so connected to a little kid, but it’s true.

She nods once. “I’ll arrange it.”

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