LOGINZARYA ROGOV Two days later*After that day, I didn't see him again. He didn't pull any acts and was almost non-existent to me, but I knew he wouldn't just sit still. Not seeing him around also meant that he was busy somewhere else; he wasn't the one who would stay at home. Sergei was never the one who would waste even a second of his day. I heard from some customers at the restaurant that the place he wanted to build was already under construction. What type of place was he building?Something to hide his illegal actions? He wasn’t the one who would hide any of his actions.I covered Nasia with the blanket and lay down beside her. The night song and the hooting owl weren't the reason I remained awake till midnight. I just couldn't sleep because I couldn't stop thinking about the past. Suddenly, a knock at the door had me flinching as I sat up straight.It was almost midnight, who could be here at this hour? I slowly pulled out of the blanket and stood up. I jumped again at the se
SERGEI MOROZOV Moscow was my throne, but here was my soul.My name rang in the alleys like a prayer, but I wanted to worship her.Four years without her, four years of desperately searching for her and losing my sanity in the process, I found her at a place I was about to ground my claws in.The first time she entered through that door like a lioness about to tear us all. I almost couldn't recognize her, but when those familiar gray eyes met mine, and widened in shock.Those eyes, that voice...oh! I felt my soul knocking back into me. I felt myself breathing again. All I wanted to do was grab her, press her against the wall, and kiss her to the point she couldn't breathe, just like I couldn't breathe when she wasn't around. Kiss her to the point her scent absorbs on my skin, kiss her to the point I could feel the softness of her lips against mine for days.I wanted her in my veins like blood.There was no way I would let her go again. Zarya was my purpose; without her, there was no
ZARYA ROGOV The next day, after I got back from work, I spent some time playing with Anastasia before getting ready to bake a cake for the neighbor. As I moved around the kitchen while simultaneously keeping an eye on Anastasia every now and then, I thought about him.I didn't see him today. Maybe he left for good.But honestly, something about him was different.I quickly shook my head when I realized I was thinking about him again. I forced my mind from wandering and quickly got done with baking. I grabbed my coat, threw it on, and looked at Nasia to make sure she was busy playing, and there was nothing dangerous placed around her before I walked out.I took a deep breath and knocked on the new neighbor's door. I was always kinda nervous when it came to meeting new people, even though I've spent most of my life interacting with them in business events.I was about to knock again, but when I heard the heavy footsteps approaching, I dropped my hand and straightened up.Those heavy
ZARYA ROGOV After the landlady left, I peeked out once and found the grounds clear. I wasn't expecting them to leave without breaking down the doors and dragging me along with them. It was suspicious. Could he be planning something big? Should I move out? But, where would I go in this harsh weather? I didn't have enough money saved with me to move overnight. I sighed and drew the curtains in front of the window. I looked at Anastasia playing with her toys. She slept the whole day due to her fever, and now the fever has subsided, and she is super energetic.I smiled and sat down beside her.As soon as I settled down, she was in my arms like a bolt. I chuckled and cupped her chubby cheeks, making her giggle. Before she was born, I never felt so wanted, so loved. Anastasia had made me feel loved, wanted, and most importantly, I felt that motherly love, all because of her. The kind of love where you would go to all lengths just to see a smile on your loved one's face.I bobbed her nos
ZARYA ROGOV When I ran away, I thought I was finally free. I finally had my freedom, but I realised that without the constant chaos surrounding me, I wasn't much of a character.I had no purpose.No meaning.No connections.And almost no future.Rafail helped me get away from the chaos; he helped me find a shelter and a job so I could be independent enough to feed myself.The first two weeks were the best I've ever experienced. I was finally able to go out and enjoy my own company. I was about to roam around freely without any shackles holding me back. But the nights were a complete contrast to the morning glory.The flashbacks and nightmares kept me awake. I found myself in the corner of the room, staring at nothingness. The dread that he might find me kept me awake.I had flashbacks of the past that I had forgotten about.The fabricated past and the games I got tangled in. Only if I had known that before, maybe I would have been able to fight against the devil.But it was too late
FOUR YEARS LATERFour winters and four summers passed by. Days, months, years went by. The horror was gone, but the deep agony in the heart remained. That agony-filled heart had a seal of guilt, and the seal could only be broken through forgiveness. It was winter once again, and the cold had always been harsh to the people of Russia.The countryside had always been calm and soothing, except for the usual harm the winter brought to the fields and livestock. "Stir it harder, have the cold gotten to your head?" Oksana huffed out while wrapping the apron around her chubby waist. Olga sighed and pressed her lips together, stirring in the huge pot as hard as she could."That's more like it." Oksana patted her shoulder and began to chop vegetables."Is she taking off today?" Olga asked and looked up at her mother, noticing how weak she had gotten ever since that notice.Three days ago, a notice was delivered to the whole lane, including them. They were told to leave their small cottage-typ







