FIVE YEARS LATERLOLETTEI ended the call with my assistant, letting out a sigh as I rounded up work for the morning.Tiny footsteps pattered down the hallway.I checked the time on my watch and smiled, already knowing what was coming next.As if on cue, my tiny boy shuffled out of the hallway, his blonde curls a wild cloud over his head.“Rus won’t give me back my tiger.”I shook my head, fighting a laugh, and bent to scoop him up.I kissed his chubby cheeks, cuddling him close as I shook my head. It truly wasn’t getting old how much his brother hated his stuffed tiger. Every morning, without fail, Rus hid it like it was his job.Still cradling Ivan, I called out, “Ruslan!”Ruslan surfaced from the hallway, looking a lot more awake than his brother.“Come here,” I called.He came, all squinted eyes and busy hands. I ruffled his hair. He squirmed and smiled and pushed my hand away like he hated it, even though I could see it in his eyes—he loved it. I pinched his cheek, gentle. He scru
Last Updated : 2025-09-10 Read more