Page 65 of Perfect Stalker

Dad shakes Ivan’s hand firmly. “Likewise, son. We’ve been looking forward to meeting the man who’s made our Jenny so happy.”

Mom, never one for formalities, pulls Ivan into a hug. “Oh, you’re even more handsome than Jenny described, and something smells absolutely divine.”

He chuckles. “That would be the turkey. I hope you’re hungry.”

We move to the living room, and I watch with a mixture of relief and amusement as my parents settle in. Dad immediatelygravitates toward Ivan’s impressive book collection, while Mom fusses over the Christmas decorations.

“This tree is gorgeous, Jenny.” She admires the twinkling lights and ornaments. “Did you decorate it yourself?”

I nod. “Yes.” I remember the day I found everything in his closet and sent Daniil out for the fake tree.

She nods. “He can handle the cooking, and you can do the decorating. It’s a perfect match.”

Heat rises to my cheeks. If they knew the full extent of who Ivan really is, they might not be so approving, but for tonight, ignorance is bliss.

The timer in the kitchen dings, and Ivan excuses himself to tend to the turkey. I follow, ostensibly to help, but really to steal a moment alone with him. “They seem to like you,” I murmur, leaning against the counter as he carefully transfers the golden-brown bird to a serving platter.

He looks up at me, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. “Did you expect otherwise?”

I shrug. “I just... I know this isn’t your usual scene. Playing happy families, I mean.”

His expression softens. He sets down the carving knife and pulls me close, encircling my waist. “This is exactly where I want to be. With you. With your family. Building our family.”

The sincerity in his voice makes my heart swell. I stretch up on my toes, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. “I love you,” I whisper.

“I love you too,solnishko, but we should feed your parents before they start to wonder what we’re up to in here.”

Dinner is a lively affair. The food is delicious, and the conversation flows easily. My parents share stories from their youth, and Ivan charms them with tales of his travels. I watch, my heart full, as the most important people in my life bond over shared laughter and good food.

As we finish our meal, Dad leans back in his chair, patting his stomach contentedly. “Ivan, my boy, that was a feast fit for kings. Where did you learn to cook like that?”

A shadow flickers across Ivan’s face, so brief I almost miss it. “My…adoptive mother taught me,” he says, his voice soft with memory. “She believed good food was the foundation of a happy home.”

Mom reaches out, patting Ivan’s hand. “She sounds like a wise woman, and she clearly taught you well.”

The moment passes, and soon, we’re clearing the table. As I load the dishwasher, I overhear snippets of conversation from the living room. My parents’ voices are warm with approval, and Ivan’s deep laugh rumbles in response. The sweet normality of it all is almost overwhelming.

Later, when we say our goodbyes, Mom pulls me into a tight hug. “He’s wonderful, Jenny,” she whispers. “I’m so happy for you.”

Dad’s hug is equally fierce. “You’ve done well, kiddo. He’s a good man.”

As the door closes behind my parents, Ivan turns to me, his eyes glowing with an emotion I can’t quite name. “Come with me,” he says, taking my hand and leading me to the Christmas tree.

The lights twinkle merrily, casting a soft glow over Ivan’s features. He looks younger somehow, the hard edges of theBratvaleader softened by the festive atmosphere. “I have something for you,” he says.

He pulls out a small velvet box, and I open it, revealing a delicate silver bracelet. The intricate design matches the locket he gave me before—the one that belonged to his mother. My fingers tremble as I touch the cool metal. “It’s beautiful,” I whisper, overcome with emotion.

Ivan gently clasps it around my wrist, his touch sending shivers down my spine. “Now you have a matching set,” he says softly. “With matching chips,” he adds with a wink.

I look up at him, blinking back tears. I haven’t stopped wearing the locket since that night I made the superficial choice to go with a ruby necklace for the Christmas party dress. If I’d had the tracking device, he would have found me much faster, and there’s something reassuring about wearing it now, especially with being pregnant. Having a backup makes me feel even more secure. “I have something for you too.”

I hurry to retrieve the gifts I’ve hidden, my heart leaping with anticipation. When I return, I hand Ivan the first carefully wrapped package. “Open it.”

He unwraps it slowly, revealing the white-gold watch. His eyes widen as he reads the engraving:“You’re unforgettable.”

For a moment, I’m filled with regret that it doesn’t better express my emotions for him, but I chose it before I was certain about everything. Perhaps I’ll slip it away sometime and add to the engraving.

“Jenny...” He traces his finger over the words, clearly moved. “I love it.”

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