He sighed. “If that happens again next time, call Viktor or me.” His voice dropped. “And until Viktor gets there, you don’t leave that house. Did Doctor Dorothy call you?”
So he knew Rodion stood me up. If he did, that meant Rodion had a reason. And why would Dorothy call me? “No, why?”
“Nothing. Wait for Viktor.”
“Matvet … what’s going on?”
A beat of silence stretched as if he were deciding whether to replay or not. “The boss is in the hospital.”
Chapter Forty-four
Alessia
Mamma followed me down thestairs, her slippers scuffing against the wood, while she called me. “Where are you rushing to so suddenly?”
The truth hovered on my lips. I almost told her about Rodion in the hospital, but I held it. That single answer would raise questions I wasn’t ready to answer.
“You know what? I’m tired.” Her voice cracked with exhaustion. “I’m tired of worrying and living every day waiting for disaster. Do you think it was easy, opening the door in the middle of the night and finding my daughter standing there?”
Her words struck me still. I stopped halfway across the living room. I realised the weight she carried as a mother. She had the right to worry and to be mad.
I faced her. “Nothing is wrong. I just have to leave.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.” Her eyes burned, searching me for the truth.
“Come on, Mamma. I don’t have time. I’ll call you.” My voice slipped into pleading.
She let out a weary sigh that seemed to pull from her bones. “Then I’m driving you wherever you think you need to run to.”
“The driver is outside,” I blurted. “You saw the car.” Her gaze lingered on me. “I promise. I’ll call.”
She said nothing more, and the silence followed me to the door. My chest ached as I walked away. She had every right to rage, to scream, and demand answers. If I had a daughter who stumbled home sobbing in the dead of night, I would lose my mind too. But I couldn’t explain. Not yet. All I could do was leave.
Viktor waited by the car. He straightened the moment he spotted me. Before I even reached the gate, he was at the door, holding it open with a small, practiced bow.
“Miss,” he said.
“I’m sorry I missed your calls last night,” I murmured, guilt pressing against my throat.
He dipped his head. “That’s all right, ma’am. You did well to come here.”
I released a breath and slid into the seat. “Take me to the hospital.”
His brows knit together with concern flickering across his face. “Are you unwell, Miss?”
Matvet had warned me not to mention that the boss was in the hospital. Only a handful of people knew, and Viktor wasn’t one of them. I had to lie to him too.
“I’m fine.” I forced a thin smile. “It’s just a usual check-up.”
Viktor nodded. “Then I should inform the boss.”
“He knows. Matvet knows too. Can we just go?”
“Yes.” He shut my door and went around to take the wheel.“Which hospital?”
I gave Viktor the address Matvet had provided, and he drove off in silence. I turned to the window, trying to make sense of everything. Matvet swore Rodion was fine. But if he was in the hospital, it meant that the situation was more serious than anyone admitted. And here I was, sulking because he had missed our date. He must have been truly ill.
The halt of the car outside the hospital jolted me back to the present. I pushed the door open and stepped out, nerves driving me faster than my thoughts. My heart pounded against my ribs as I hurried toward the entrance, fear and determination knotted together. The glass doors slid open, and as I stepped inside, I met Leonid walking out.