Arranged To Be|18+✔️

41'

"Where could they possibly be?" Lada asked, pacing back and forth in the living room.

We were all gathered together, waiting for Czar and Anderi to return. Two hours had passed with no word. Anxiety was clawing its way through my chest.

"Maybe we should go back for them," I said, rising from the couch.

"No, we're safer here," Annika replied firmly.

Alina sat curled in the corner like a tiny statue, hugging her knees, her eyes distant and unfocused. She hadn't spoken since we got here. I couldn't imagine the chaos swirling inside her young mind.

"You all can sit around and wait if you want to, but I'm leaving," I said, walking toward the door.

But when I opened it, my breath caught.

Czar and Anderi stood on the porch.

Czar was covered in blood. His eyes were bloodshot, puffy. Anderi looked untouched by comparison. The contrast was striking.

"What happened? We were worried about you!" Lada said, rushing to embrace them.

Czar didn't move. He didn't return the hug. He stood there like stone until Lada let him go.

"Czar? Are you okay?" I asked softly.

He said nothing. He walked into the house and down to the basement, shutting the door behind him without a word.

"I think it's best to give him some space," Anderi said quietly.

I turned to him. "What the hell happened back there?"

He shook his head. "I was wrong. Czar was strong enough to kill Liam. Just not strong enough to carry the weight afterward."

I glanced at the basement door, aching to go to him, to comfort him. But I stayed where I was.

"I managed to contact Alina's relatives," Anderi continued. "Her aunt lives in San Francisco. We'll take her there tomorrow."

"You never discussed this with me," Annika said, crossing her arms.

"There's nothing to discuss. You gave up your rights years ago. And you know damn well our lifestyle isn't safe for a child."

"I deserve a say," she argued.

"You deserve nothing. Look what you just put us through!" Anderi's voice rose.

"Let's all just calm down," Lada tried to intervene.

"No! I won't sit here and listen to her act like a victim. Everything that's happened these past few months is her fault. She killed your mother."

Tears pooled in Annika's eyes. "You have no idea—"

"Shut the hell up, Annika. Be grateful you're Czar's sister. Otherwise, you'd already be dead."

Annika turned and stormed out. No one followed.

I sat beside Alina on the couch. She flinched slightly.

"Hey," I said gently. "You must be tired. Want to take a nap?"

"W-Will I be safe?" she asked.

"Yes, nothing bad will happen to you here," I promised, offering my hand.

Hesitant at first, she finally placed her small hand in mine. I led her upstairs while Lada and Anderi continued their discussion.

*

"If that man was my real daddy... why did he want to hurt me?" Alina asked.

I had tucked her into one of the guest beds. She made me promise to stay until she fell asleep, but her eyes stayed wide open.

"He was sick, sweetheart. Some people go through things that change them, make them hurt others."

"And that lady... she's my mom?"

I nodded. "Yes."

"Why didn't they keep me?"

I exhaled slowly. "Sometimes, love means letting someone go. Your mommy and daddy, the ones who raised you, gave you a safe life. That's what your birth parents wanted."

"But now they're dead," she whispered, tears forming.

I pulled her into my arms and stroked her hair.

"I know, baby. I'm so sorry. I know sorry can't fix it. But they died loving you. And they always will."

She sobbed against my chest. All I could do was hold her and rock her gently until her breathing evened out and she finally drifted off.

I tucked her back in, kissed her forehead, and tiptoed out. I rested my forehead against the door, releasing a deep breath.

"Is she sleeping?" a voice asked.

I turned to see Czar in the hallway. His eyes still looked raw.

"Yes," I said. "I feel so terrible... the things she's seen, what we put her through."

"I wish we'd gotten there sooner," he said quietly.

"Me too."

A silence fell. The air between us pulsed with grief, regret, and unspoken tension. I could feel his warmth, hear every breath.

But it was too much.

"I'm going to Darcey's workshop," I said suddenly. "Need to finish some designs."

"Want me to come with you? Or send a guard?"

"No. I just... want to be alone."

I didn't wait for a reply. I turned and walked away, needing space, needing silence, needing something I couldn't even name.

~*~

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