Chapter 21

Lana's POV 

Evelyn sat in Nikolai's secretary's office. 

 Nikolai's secretary-an older woman called Mrs. Daniels-eyed her. Evelyn shifted in her seat. 

Finally, the door to the boardroom opened, and a suite of executives filed out-looking strained and tired. Behind them, Nikolai emerged, When his gaze fell on Evelyn waiting in the lobby, he raised one eyebrow-clearly taken by surprise.

"Evelyn," he said, coming toward her, curiosity and reserve mixed together in his voice. "I didn't know you were coming by."

She smiled, that spark in her eyes again, the emotion not quite readable. "I thought I'd surprise you. After all, we haven't really spoken in a while." Her tone was light, yet there was a hint of something deeper beneath the surface.

Nikolai held the door open to his office, and Evelyn followed him inside. The door clicked shut behind them, leaving them to the quiet, private space of heavy books lining shelves and artefacts from Nikolai's travels. A huge window behind his desk framed the city skyline, twinkling lights from buildings farther away, when the sun started to dip lower.

Once inside, Nikolai crossed his arms, waiting for Evelyn to speak. He wasn't one for small talk, and Evelyn knew it.

"Why won't you let me be part of their lives, Nikolai?" Evelyn began, breaking the silence with a voice edged with frustration. She took a step closer, her brows furrowing as she tried to catch his eye. "I don't understand what I did to deserve being pushed away like this. You replaced me with that nanny-Lana, isn't it? A woman I didn't even hire! And you didn't think it was necessary to talk to me about it?

Nikolai's expression was impassive as he listened, his gaze meandering briefly out the large window. When he finally looked back at her, his face softened, but only slightly.

Evelyn, you and I both know that my children need more than just someone to oversee them. They need someone who understands them, who puts them above all things." He took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. "Lana is that person. She's proven she can take care of them."

Evelyn's jaw clenched and her hands balled into fists. "And you think I can't handle them?" she asked, a hurt tinge in her tone.

Nikolai shook his head. "It's not about capability. It's about fit. They connect with her in a way they don't with you." He ran a hand through his hair, looking down as he spoke. "Max and Lily are happy with her. They feel secure, and they need that right now.

Evelyn's shoulders fell; the volume of her voice dropped to little more than a whisper, with a near-vulnerability: "Nikolai, I understand. Maybe I'm not… nurturing. Maybe I didn't have the best instincts with them before. But I want things to go back to the way they used to be. You and me, together, for the sake of the family.".

Nikolai's eyes had narrowed slightly, for in her words he sensed sincerity intermingled with something far more evasive. "Back to the way it used to be? Evelyn, it's not as simple as that."

She stepped closer still, her hand reaching out tentatively to touch his arm. "But it can be," she whispered, her voice full of longing. "Look, I know we've had our differences, and maybe I made mistakes, but I've changed, Nikolai. I want this… us. Don't you remember the good times we had?

He said nothing, staring at a point over her shoulder, falling into his own thoughts. She stepped back, her gesture the opposite of crowding, but her voice was more insistent than ever.

"I'm just asking for a chance, Nikolai. Let's start small. Dinner. This Friday. Just you, me, Max, and Lily. I want to be there for them-and for you."

Nikolai did not immediately yield, but a moment later he finally met her gaze. It was intense, holding him hostage, the vulnerability she exposed tugging on a long-buried feeling of recognizance. "Dinner," he repeated slowly, testing his brain on the idea. "All right, Evelyn. But let's keep it casual, for the kids' sake.

A smile cracked across her face and leaned forward, wrapping her arms light around him. For one instant, her head stayed on his shoulder as she exhaled almost as if in relief. She leaned back just a tad, still with her splayed hand on his chest, peering up at him-her stare lingering awhile.

"Thank you, Nikolai. I won't let you down," she whispered.

For one second, Nikolai's hand lay in the air beside her shoulder as the ghost of what they once shared resurfaced. Yet in his brain, doubt churned, and it was a beautiful moment spoiled by uncertainty. As much as Evelyn's words seemed truthful, Nikolai knew her well enough to figure out nothing she ever did came without a hidden agenda.

As they released each other, Evelyn cast him a shining look-the hope in them was tinged, perhaps, with something a little stronger. She leaned forward, pressing a gentle kiss against his cheekbone. "I'll make it a night to remember," she whispered, voice velvety, full of promise.

Nikolai nodded tightly, took a backward step as he adjusted his jacket, trying to refocus. "Friday, then.

Evelyn's face brightened, her eyes twinkling in delight. "Friday," she repeated, her tone filled with excitement . She ironed out her dress then gave a final satisfied smile to him. With a slight wave, she turned to leave his office.

As the door closed behind her, Nikolai sank into his chair, rubbing his temples. He couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had settled over him-a nagging suspicion that Evelyn's change of heart was less true than she wanted him to believe.

He thought of Lana, contrasting Evelyn's polished presence with Lana's quiet resilience and unassuming care. There was no manipulation with Lana, she was just devoted to taking care of  Max and Lily. She didn't try to impress him or charm her way into his life. She simply did her job, offering the children the stability and warmth they needed.