It had been five days.
Five days since Lev left Dimitri's office sore, shaking, and more confused than ever. He told himself it was just rut. Just hormones. Just heat. ''It didn't mean anything,'' he repeated like a mantra.
But the buries on his neck hadn't faded yet. And worse - the ache in his chest hadn't either.
He didn't go to work. He didn't reply to Dimitri's messages. He just stayed quiet. Still. Hiding.
Matev was back home now--messy -haired, always asking for snacks, dragging his stuffed wolf everywhere. And every time Lev looked at him...
Dimitri eyes.
Dimitris mouth.
Shit.
Elsewhere--Dimitri's Office.
Dimitri sat in silence, cigarette burning between his fingers- untouched. He'd called. Texted. Waited.
No response.
''He's hiding something. 'He leaned back in his chair, jaw clenched.
Two days later. City Mall.
Lev knew it was a bad idea the second he stepped into the toy store with Matev. Too many people.
But it was Matev's birthday next week, and the boy wanted to pick his own gift. He was bouncing with excitement, dragging Lev through the aisles, pointing at everything.
Lev smiled, tired. But seeing him happy--it was worth the stress. Until-------
A voice behind him. Deep. Cold. Familiar.
''Lev?''
Lev froze.
He turned slowly.
And there he was.
Dimitri. in a dark coat, hair tousled, eyes sharp.
Lev's blood turned to ice. ''W-What are you doing here?''
''I could ask you the same,'' Dimitri said calmly. ''Been avoiding me.''
Lev stepped in front of Matev instinctively. But Matev peeked around him, blinking up at the tall man curiously.
Dimitri's eyes flicked down to the child.
Lev's breath caught.
''Your kid?'' Dimitri asked casually, voice unreadable.
Lev nodded slowly. ''Yeah.''
Dimitri crouched slightly, eye level with Matev.
The boy didn't- flinch -- just started at him, head tilted.
Same eyes.
Same dimple when he smiled.
Same damn smirk.
Dimitri blinked, unsettled.
''How old is he?''
''Four,'' Lev said quickly. Too quickly.
A pause.
Dimitri looked up at him. ''You sure?''
Lev stiffened. ''What's that supposed to mean?''
Dimitri stood. Taller. Closer. ''You disappear for years,'' he said, voice low. ''Then suddenly pop with a four - year - old.''
Then, with a slight smirk. ''Cute kid. Looks nothing like you.'' Dimitri leaned down one last time. ''What's your name, little guy?''
''Matev,'' the boy said cheerfully. ''I like dinosaurs.''
Dimitri's face changed for half a second. The name hit something. But he didn't rect.
''Cool name,'' he said softly. ''You take care of your papa, Yeah?''
Matev nodded proudly.
Dimitri straightened and looked at Lev. No teasing now. Just something darker behind eyes. ''We're not done, Lev.''
Lev nodded. ''We never started.'' And with that, he took Matev's hand and walked away. But Dimitri stayed standing there, watching their backs disappears into the crowed.
Matev.
Four years old.
Same eyes.
Something twisted in his gut.
No f*****g way.''
Dimitri hadn't smoked in months. --------------- But tonight, the cigarette between his fingers burned all the way to the filter.
He hadn't touched his drink. Hadn't checked his phone. He just sat there, staring out of his office window--- replaying every second of that encounter at the mall.
Matev.''
''Four years old.''
''Looks nothing like you.''
The kid looked exactly like him. Same jaw. Same damn attitude in his little face.
Dimitri rubbed his temples. He wasn't the kind of man who guessed. He knew. And right now,
Something was off. Deeply off.
He pulled open his laptop, brows furrowed and started typing.
Lev Mikhailov.
. Registered address changed twice in 3 years.
. Child Matev Mikhailov ---single parents. No father listed.
. Date of birth? four years, two months ago.
Domitri froze.
Four years ago. One night stand. Lev disappeared right after.
His stomach twisted.
No. He wouldn't do that. He couldn't.
But Lev had, Or maybe, he had to.
M meanwhile --- Lev apartment
Lev was traying to cook. Matev sat at the kitchen table, happily drawing dragons on the back of an electricity bill. Lev stirred the sauce on the stove, but his mind was gone.
He saw him.
He saw Matev. And he's not stupid. He'll start guessing.
Lev's chest tightened. He didn't regret Matev. Never could. That boy was his entire world. But the idea of Dimitri knowing -- claiming -- owning any piece of their life?
Matev looked up. ''Papa?''
''Yeah, baby?''
''Who was that man? The one from the toy store?''
Lev's heart stopped. ''Just....someone I used to know.''
''He talked like he knew you.''
Lev turned around, forced a smile. ''It's complicated.''
''Did he make you sad?''
Lev blinked. ''Why you ask that?''
Matev shrugged. ''You looked like you were holding your breath.''
Lev knelt down beside him and cupped his tiny cheek.
''I' m okay, bunny. Promise.''
Matev squinted. ''You sure?''
Lev kissed his forehead. ''Always.''
But inside, his hands were shaking.
Back at the club--- later that night.
Dimitri called his assistant.
''Get me Lev Mikhailov's full file. Everything public. I want school records, jobs, medical if possible.''
''You think he's in trouble?''
''I think he's lying.''
Pause.
''And if I'm right...''
He stared down at the lighter in his hand- flame flickering, teasing the edge.
''He took something that belongs to me.''