𝑇𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑃ℎ𝑜𝑒𝑛𝑖𝑥 ✔︎ || 𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑑

40

~ phoenix ~

By the time dusk fell, Rhev had taken all my hand-written invitations to distribute across Russia and other parts of Europe. I knew some were addressed to Poland, some to North America. And an important one that would reach the seventh floor of the compound.

I held Lavinia's invitation warily between my fingers as I paced outside her door. Ever since I returned from my impromptu voyage to Italy, she hadn't really uttered a word to me. I figured she thought I took advantage of her trust, using the information she'd given me to potentially ruin Ilya's entire operation. She was right.

I couldn't explain the need to go to Milan and unite with Gianna — to fill a cavity in my chest that had ached. Regardless of my greater intention, I couldn't lie about the selfishness lying beneath, that I wanted the best of both worlds: my old life and my new life. And yet, despite all my efforts, Gia and I were still unfinished and perhaps we would always be. Foolish was I to think our differences, our new roles wouldn't get in between... wouldn't wipe out years of friendship.

I feared it already had.

With a sigh, my thoughts returned to my present. Because now, Gianna was the past.

I pondered on my unrehearsed apology and realised I had come unprepared. Was I even forgivable? Or was it too soon? Too late? What is she she ha—

Before the thought formed in my mind, I sucked in a sharp and knocked.

Immediately, I tensed, waiting for a response. Ten seconds passed with agonising slowness. Then, twenty... thirty... My head fell forward as I turned my back to the door. Although some part of me was unsurprised, it stung nonetheless. My feet dragged me back to the elevator and I waited patiently for the doors to slide open.

But then I heard a click— and my chest inflated with hope.

Whirling around, I met Lavinia's dark eyes. She looked exhausted as she regarded me warily.

"Lav..." I whispered, pained by her expression. "I... I'm so so sorry and I know it doesn't change—"

My words were cut off as the brunette hurled herself towards me. After a moment of surprise, my arms wrapped around her as I buried my face in her hair. We stood like that for at least a minute before I spied a little mischief maker crawling out of the apartment onto the landing.

Reluctantly, I pulled back and gestured to Tori, who was quickly approaching.

Lavinia sighed, muttering, "I just put you to bed, Viktoria."

I glanced at her quickly before crouching in front of she infant. She rose to her knees, slapping the air with a triumphant grin. With a soft laugh, I obeyed, lifting her into my arms. Tori gurgled happily.

I followed Lav into the apartment and then, into the living room.

"Where's Mikhail?" I asked quietly.

"With Aleksey," she replied, collapsing onto the couch.

I nodded, adjusting my position so Tori was more comfortable on my lap. In the silence, she soon curled up, staring at her mother across the room. Lav was sitting in a similar position, knees drawn up to her chin.