Page 170 of Porcelain Lies

He nods, lingering for a moment before turning toward the door. “I’ll wait for you downstairs.”

As the door closes behind him, I feel a flutter of nerves mixed with anticipation. Meeting Bobik with Aleksei feels significant, a step toward something deeper.

I move to the closet, selecting a simple dress in soft blue that brings out the green of my eyes. As I change, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. There’s a hint of color in my cheeks, a spark in my eyes that hasn’t been there for some time.

Brushing out my hair, I let it fall loosely over my shoulders. Minimal makeup feels right — a touch of mascara and a swipe of lip balm. I want to be myself.

Satisfied, I make my way downstairs. Aleksei stands by the grand staircase, his gaze distant until he notices my approach. His eyes sweep over me appreciatively. “You’re ready.”

“Yes,” I reply, descending the last few steps.

He offers his arm — a gesture both old-fashioned and endearing. I accept, slipping my hand into the crook of his elbow.

Together, we walk through the Left Wing, the mansion’s corridors bathed in the warm glow of sunlight. The silence between us feels comfortable, each of us lost in our own thoughts.

As we reach Bobik’s quarters, Aleksei pauses outside the door. He turns to me, his expression uncharacteristically gentle. “He’s been looking forward to seeing you.”

“I’ve been looking forward to it, too,” I admit.

He nods, a flicker of gratitude in his eyes before he opens the door.

Bobik sits at a table strewn with books and electronic components. At the sound of our entry, he looks up, his face breaking into a wide smile. “Papa!Stella!”

“Hello, Bobik,” I greet, stepping forward. “What are you working on?”

“Just a small project,” he says eagerly. “An experiment with circuits.”

Aleksei releases my arm, moving to ruffle his son’s hair affectionately. “Always the engineer.”

Bobik grins up at him before turning his attention back to me. “Would you like to see?”

“I’d love to,” I reply, glancing at Aleksei as I pull up a chair beside him.

We spend the next hour engrossed in Bobik’s world. He explains his project with enthusiasm, his intelligence shining through every word. I find myself genuinely intrigued, asking questions and sharing my own thoughts.

Aleksei watches us, a subtle softness in his gaze. He contributes occasionally but mostly allows Bobik and me to engage.

“Could we try adjusting the resistor here?” I suggest at one point, pointing to his schematic.

Bobik’s eyes light up. “Let’s try! It might stabilize the current.”

As he makes the adjustments, I glance over at Aleksei. He meets my gaze, a quiet contentment evident. It’s a side of him I haven’t seen before, and it stirs something within me. Something warm. Comfortable. Almost…

“Done!” Bobik announces, snapping us back to the moment. “Shall we test it?”

“Absolutely,” I agree.

He connects the final wires, and we watch as the small device powers on, the LED lights blinking in a steady pattern.

“It works!” I exclaim, sharing in his triumph.

Bobik beams. “We make a good team.”

“That you do,” Aleksei affirms, placing a hand on Bobik’s shoulder. “Perhaps you can help him with some projects around here.”

“I’d like that,” I say sincerely.

As the afternoon unfolds, we move outside to the garden. The sun warms the manicured lawns, and a gentle breeze carries the scent of blooming flowers.

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