๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ฝ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ป: ๐ ๐ฆ๐ถ๐น๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐๐ฟ๐.
652 Words
The rain began just before dawn.
From her bedroom window, Aria watched the droplets race down the glass, blurring the gardens of the Volkov estate into shades of gray.
She had barely slept.
Every time she closed her eyes, she heard Nikolai's quiet warning.
"Starting tomorrow, your security detail doubles."
She wrapped her robe tighter around herself and walked downstairs.
The dining room was already prepared.
Fresh flowers.
Silver cutlery.
Coffee poured into fine porcelain cups.
Everything looked perfect.
Everything except the people sitting at the table.
Nikolai folded the morning newspaper.
"I've made another decision."
Aria looked up cautiously.
"You'll be working from the mansion for the rest of the week."
Her heart dropped.
"I have board meetings."
"They can be held online."
"I need to be at the office."
"No."
His answer was calm.
Final.
She inhaled slowly, trying to steady herself.
"Father won't understand."
"I'll explain it to him."
There was nothing more to say.
She lowered her gaze.
"Yes."
---
Across the city, Alessandro Moretti frowned as he ended the phone call.
Matteo looked up from his laptop.
"Everything okay?"
"Strange."
"What is?"
"Aria cancelled every meeting this week."
Matteo blinked.
"She never cancels."
"That's what worries me."
Isabella entered the office carrying coffee.
"What happened?"
Alessandro sighed.
"Nikolai said Aria isn't feeling well."
Isabella's expression softened.
"I'll visit her this afternoon."
---
At the Volkov mansion, Aria sat in the library with her laptop open.
Reports filled the screen.
She couldn't focus.
A knock interrupted her thoughts.
One of the maids entered quietly.
"Mrs. Volkov."
"Yes?"
"Your mother is here."
Hope flickered across Aria's face.
"My mother?"
The maid nodded.
"I'll be right down."
---
The embrace was immediate.
Isabella held her daughter tightly.
"I've missed you."
"I've missed you too."
Stepping back, Isabella studied her carefully.
"You look pale."
"I'm just tired."
"Still working too much?"
Aria smiled faintly.
"Something like that."
They spent the afternoon talking in the sunroom.
About Sunset Beauty.
About fashion.
About childhood memories.
Anything except the truth.
As Isabella prepared to leave, she reached into her handbag.
"I almost forgot."
She handed Aria a small framed photograph.
It showed the Moretti family years earlier.
Aria was nineteen.
Laughing freely beside Matteo.
Lior stood just behind them, smiling at something she'd said.
They had all been together at a summer charity event on the Amalfi Coast.
Aria stared at the picture.
She couldn't remember the last time she'd looked so carefree.
"You should keep it," Isabella said softly.
"You used to love this photo."
"I still do."
After Isabella left, Aria remained in the empty sunroom, holding the frame against her chest.
A single tear slipped down her cheek.
---
That evening, Lior stood on the balcony of his penthouse.
Marco approached with another report.
"Our people confirmed it."
"What?"
"Mrs. Volkov hasn't left the mansion in three days."
Lior frowned.
"Not once?"
Marco shook his head.
"And every entrance is being watched."
Lior looked toward the dark Moscow skyline.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
He reached for his phone.
His thumb hovered over Aria's name.
He knew she might not answer.
He sent only one message.
Thinking of you. I hope you're safe.
Several minutes passed.
No reply.
Then, just as he was about to put the phone away...
It vibrated.
A single response appeared.
Thank you.
Nothing more.
But to Lior, it meant everything.
She had answered.
She hadn't forgotten him.
Far away, Aria quickly deleted the conversation and locked her phone.
Outside her bedroom door, footsteps echoed in the hallway.
She slipped the phone beneath a book just as the door opened.
Nikolai stood there.
His eyes moved from her face...
...to the bedside table.
Then back again.
He smiled.
"Who were you talking to?"
The room fell silent.
And for the first time since Lior had returned to Moscow...
Aria realized that one wrong answer could change everything.
- Writer
