Chapter 117
New York Presbyterian Hospital. Room 847.
Alexei looked smaller than she remembered. Thinner. Paler. Dying.
But when he saw them, when Adrian walked in carrying David, Sophie holding her hand, his face transformed.
"You came," he whispered. "You really came."
"Of course we came. We promised." Adrian moved closer. "Alexei, this is David. Your grandson. Chen's grandson."
He placed David carefully in Alexei's arms. The dying man held the baby like he was made of glass. Precious. Irreplaceable.
"He looks like Chen," Alexei said. Tears streaming down his face. "Same eyes. Same..." He couldn't finish. Just stared at David. Memorizing. "Thank you. Thank you for this."
Sophie climbed onto the bed. Careful. Gentle. "Are you my grandpa?"
"I..." Alexei looked at Adrian. At her. A
