Page 7 of Sergei
I had nowhere else to turn.
So, I sat there, bruised and broken, praying that when I finally reached Chicago, she would open the door.
Surely to God, she would open the door.
When the bus pulled up to the gate, I handed the man my ticket and made my way to the back. A few followed after me, and ten minutes later, we were on our way. I closed my eyes, but I couldn’t sleep. Every time the bus slowed, or someone shifted in their seat, my eyes flew open, and my heart nearly leapt out of my chest.
I kept expecting the doors to open and Alek to come charging in after me. But by some miracle, the sun rose, and I made it to Chicago. I pulled up my hood and got off with the rest of the passengers. I followed the crowd through the terminal, all the while clutching the handle of my suitcase like it was the only thing holding me together. My legs were stiff and weak, but I managed to reach the curb and lift my hand.
Seconds later, a taxi pulled up, and I jumped inside. My voice cracked as I gave him the address, but he either didn’t notice or didn’t care. He simply put his foot on the gas and drove towards the destination. We rode in silence, and I was good with that. I didn’t have it in me to carry on a conversation, so I stared out the window.
We drove past high-rises, traffic lights, and people bundled in coats and scarves, and it all felt so unreal, like I was in a world that wasn’t meant for me. The driver stopped in front of Mila’s apartment, and I got out before I could second-guess myself.
I didn’t even know if she still lived there, but that didn’t stop me from punching in her security code. It wasn’t hard to remember. She always used her birthday, and I prayed she hadn’t changed it. Relief washed over me when the lock buzzed, and I was able to slip inside.
It was early. I had no idea if she was awake or even at home, but I walked up to her door and raised my fist. For a moment, I just stood there, trying to fight all the doubts that were rushing through my mind. I didn’t know how she would react. She couldslam the door in my face or hug me tight. Neither would come as a surprise.
Eventually, I gathered my nerve and knocked.
It was just three quiet taps, but it was enough to cause movement on the other side of the door. I heard footsteps, followed by the sound of the chain sliding back. The door opened, and Mila stepped into view.
She hadn’t changed. She was still as beautiful as ever. She was wearing a t-shirt with sweats and a messy ponytail, and her eyes were wide like she couldn’t quite believe what she was seeing.
“Alina…” she whispered with a blank expression. “What are you doing here?”
3
SERGEI
There’s nothing worse than insomnia, especially when you are completely exhausted and need a few hours of sleep to just reset. The past few days had been hell, and I just wanted a night to catch my breath. I laid there for hours, just staring at the ceiling and pleading for an hour of reprieve.
Sadly, it didn’t matter how many times I calculated the hours of sleep I could get; I remained wide awake. I had too much on my mind, so I gave it up and forced myself out of bed.
Since it was too early for work, I decided to head over to the stables and check on things there. I hoped some fresh air and some time with the horses would help clear my head.
The sun was barely over the tree line when I stepped into the barn. The air still held that early-morning chill and was thick with the scent of hay and leather. But oddly enough, I liked it, partly because it reminded me of my mother, and partly because Moya was here.
It’s difficult to believe, but I actually had a soft spot for that crazy horse. It had been almost two years since Mom rescued her from the kill pen, and back then, she was just skin and bones. She’d been beaten and abused in ways I couldn’t imagine. Mostwouldn’t have given a horse in her state a second look, but most weren’t my mother.
She saw something in the old mare and was determined to save her.
She worked with her day after day, feeding her and reassuring her, until she eventually stopped seeing everyone as a threat.
But she never forgot.
That was what I saw in her.
Even now, as she stood there with her head low and a calm demeanor, there was a flicker of something in her eyes. It was always there. The memories she couldn’t shake. A darkness that wouldn’t let go, no matter how much care she was given.
I understood that.
I lived that. Day in and day out. Maybe that was why I was drawn to her.
She carried her scars quiet and deep, just like me.
I stepped up to her stall and extended my hand, gently stroking her as I said, “Morning, girl. How’s it going?”
She didn’t pull away, but she didn’t nudge me like she usually did. “So damn stubborn, but not to worry. I’m not giving up. One day, you’ll trust me.”
