The moment I see her, my heart swells. She looks so small and fragile against the pillows, her face pale but peaceful. Her tiny hand twitches as we approach, and I clasp it in mine, feeling her warmth ground me.

“Hi,malyshka,” Igor murmurs, brushing his fingers through her hair.

Sofiya’s eyes flutter open, and when they land on Igor, her lips curl into a tired but unmistakable grin.

“Papa,” she whispers, her voice soft and full of wonder.

The word sends a jolt of warmth straight to my heart.

Igor leans forward, resting his forehead against hers. I reach out to touch his arm, not wanting to miss a second of this moment.

“We’re here,” I whisper. “We’ll always be here.”

Sofiya’s drowsy smile grows brighter, and I realize, for the first time in forever, I can truly breathe.

EPILOGUE

“Keep the blindfold on,” Igor says, his deep voice laced with amusement as he takes my hand to guide me forward.

“Can I at least take a peek?” I tease, already squirming with impatience.

“No,” he chuckles, wrapping his arm firmly around me and steering me down what feels like an endless corridor. “Trust me, Katya. Some moments deserve to be perfect.”

“Fine,” I huff, reluctantly giving in. “But if this involves clowns or something equally traumatizing, you’re sleeping on the couch.”

He laughs, and the sound vibrates through me, warming my chest. The anticipation builds with every step, my other senses sharpening to compensate for my lack of sight. I sense the echo of our footsteps on polished floors, the subtle but familiar cologne he always wears, and the reassuring warmth of his hand clasped around mine.

“Are we there yet?” I ask, only half-joking.

“Always so impatient,” he mutters under his breath. Suddenly we come to a stop, and I hear the sound of adoor creaking open. His warm breath brushes my ear, sending goosebumps over my arms. “After you,volchitsa.”

“Good,” I mutter. “Can I look now?”

“Oh, no. Actually... wait,” he says, his voice practically buzzing with excitement.

“For God’s sake!” I groan dramatically. “Do I have to wait for another eternity before I get to open my eyes?”

He ignores my protests, and I hear the faint flick of a switch. A low hum of electricity fills the space. His fingers brush the back of my neck as he gently unties the knot of the blindfold, taking his time as though savoring the moment.

And then, finally, the fabric falls away, and my world bursts into color.

My breath catches in my throat as I take in the sight before me. Gleaming wooden floors stretch out beneath my feet, leading to a reception area that feels like something out of a dream. The design is the perfect balance of modern sophistication and timeless elegance. Huge windows flood the space with natural light, giving it an open, airy feel. Abstract art pieces hang on the walls, bold and beautiful, adding character without overwhelming the space.

“No way,” I gasp, my voice trembling. My eyes land on the words engraved in gold lettering on the sleek glass sign at the reception desk:Volkov Legal Counsel.

The sheer emotion of the moment robs me of words.

“What’s all this?” I whisper, my voice shaky as tears sting the corners of my eyes.

Igor’s smirk widens, his blue eyes gleaming with pride. “It’s my way of saying how proud I am of you. For the past two years, you’ve worked harder than anyone I’ve ever known, studying day and night to get your license to practice law here. While I couldn’t help you pass the bar, this is something I could do.”

“You...” My voice breaks as I stare at him. “You got me an office?”

“Damn right, I did,” he says with a laugh. “And an assistant to work for you to get you started.”

I blink rapidly, trying to process the news. My hands tremble as I step forward, touching the sleek furniture and running my fingers over the smooth, polished wood of the reception desk. It’s real. All of it.

I turn back to him, throwing my arms around his neck in a tight hug. My words spill out in a rush. “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”