The epilogue - Part 2

"Sofia!" Strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me back from Anastasia. "What's wrong, baby?" Turning to her, he growled out. "What did you do to her?"

Flinching back, she clutched Dominic's hand. A fear along with concern laced across her face.

"I… I didn't do anything."

"Adrian." Putting her behind him, Dominic warned him.

Just as Adrian was about to snap back, I held on his shoulder.

"She didn't do anything. It's the baby. It kicked." Rubbing my tummy, I took a deep breath.

It often kicked, but today it seemed like my junior Adrian was overly energized today.

A sigh of relief left him. Kissing my temple, he cupped my cheek. "You alright? It doesn't hurt, right?"

Nodding, I turned to Anastasia. "It seems like this little one already likes you. Otherwise it doesn't kick that hard. And I'm sorry about Adrian's behavior. He just got concerned."

After Tim and Marie, he became more wary of the people around me. He didn't let me stay around strangers much. And always warned me to stay alert even when I was among my family. It should have been me who should have an issue of trust. But it was him. Even now when Monet was gone, he didn't trust anyone with me.

She tucked a strand behind her ear. "It's alright. I understand. You sure you're alright?"

"I am. Don't worry." At my nudge, Adrian glanced down at me. One of his brows raised in confusion. "Apologize," I whispered, giving him a look.

Grunting, he looked away. And when I didn't remove my gaze from him, he let out a sigh. Dominic's eyes were also set on him.

"Don't take it to your mind. It happens."

With that, he took my hand in his and started to drag me towards the seats.

I shook my head and sent Anastasia a look of apology. But instead of being upset, there was a small smile on her face.

Seemed like she was used to this kind of attitude as well. Adrian was difficult to handle, but at least he spoke his mind even though in rude ways. But Dominic was silent. One wouldn't get to know if he was mad or happy. He barely showed any emotions. So it explained her reaction.

She was an expert.

Once the jet was in the sky, Adrian and Dominic left me and Anastasia alone to have some business talk. Of course, he left John behind to keep an eye on me.

Or should I say Anastasia.

For the first minute, there was silence between us. While I watched her closely, she fumbled with her hands.

"So, Anastasia? Where are you from? You have a heavy but interesting accent."

"Uh, I'm from Turkey."

I sat straight in my seat. "Turkey! I love Turkey! It's such a beautiful country!"

"Yes, it is. Have you been there?"

"Unfortunately, not yet. But Adrian promised me he would take me there once the baby is here," I replied. "So? What brought you here in the States?"

At my question, the light in her eyes was gone. She slightly shifted in her seat.

Shit! Did I ask the wrong question?

"Umm, I was born here, in Florida. When I was seven, we had to shift to Turkey due to my father's job." Her eyes glanced around, as if looking for someone. "B-but I always wanted to come back and stay here. So… I left Turkey six months ago."

"Understandable. You have spent your childhood here." Clearing my throat, I tried to change the topic, sensing her discomfort. "Anyways, I heard you are a chef? Dimitri always talks about your cooking."

Once these trio had amended their relationship, Dimitri became a close friend of mine too. Though I call Dominic often too, just to irritate him. Because that man didn't like to talk unless it was necessary.

Well, I had to pass my time because Adrian barely let me do any work with my pregnancy.

At the mention of her profession, the light returned to her hazel eyes. She nodded with a bright smile. "Yes, I am. Though I don't have a professional degree for it, I just love to cook."

I waved my hand. "Sometimes you don't need a degree to excel in something that you're passionate about. Your passion makes you gifted."

Her form slowly relaxed. An ease laced her features. "You're right. I have always loved doing it."

Pouring myself a glass of champagne, I offered her one. But she shook her head.

"Thank you. But I don't drink alcohol."

I smiled. "Me too. Don't worry, it's non-alcoholic."

She took the glass. Stared at it for a moment before taking a hesitant sip. My lips twitched in amusement. She definitely didn't touch alcohol in her whole life.

"I like you!"

With a frown, she watched me in confusion.

"You're good for Dominic. Welcome to the family," I gushed, suddenly really excited. The visuals of their future wedding already started to flash in my head.

I would definitely love to plan it with Lilly.

Her eyes widened. Crimson touched her cheeks as she adjusted her glasses again. "I...uh-"

A chuckle left my mouth. "It's alright. You don't need to say anything. So? How's the champagne?"

A nod. "It's good. Can I… have some more?"

***

As soon as we landed, we left for Sinister's mansion with our respective cars. Because Adrian didn't want anyone else in the car with us. He wanted me to sit on his lap and sleep without any disturbance. As I didn't take any rest during the whole flight, he wanted me to sleep until we reached the event.

But when we were at Sinister's mansion, instead of an event, a small family dinner was what was waiting for us.

"You called us all the way here from the States to attend this fucking dinner?" Adrian seethed, standing right in front of Sinister.

"We know we lied. But we had no choice. You would never join us if we told the truth," said Sinister with his hands deep in his pockets.

"I had to cancel my meetings and my wife had to travel this long way in this state just because you wanted us to join the fucking dinner!" he snapped. "She needs to rest at home!"

Snaking my hand into his fisted one, I opened his fist and laced our fingers. At my gentle squeeze, he took a deep breath. But his furious electric blue eyes were still set on the old Petrosyan.

"I told him to do that."

A voice made our heads snap to its direction.

Lilly stood there with a look of apology etched on her face. "I'm sorry. I know Sofia had to travel, but this family dinner was important too. We have something to tell you all."

Adrian's forehead creased.

What was so important that they lied to bring Adrian here?

Dominic on the other hand, seemed unfazed. Seeing the indifference, I could tell he had an idea. But then again, when did he show his emotions?

"You could just tell us on the phone. Or even better, return to NY." My husband glared at his mother.

She shook her head. "It's not something we could just say on the phone. And the function is going to take place here in Moscow. So you guys needed to be here."

My eyes widened.

Why did I feel like I knew what they were talking about?

Before Adrian could say anything else, her eyes fell on me and then on my stomach.

With a wide smile spreading across her face, she rushed to me.

"Oh my! Look at you! You're glowing!" Taking my hands, she pulled me in a hug. "I missed you so much, sweetie."

I returned the affection. "I missed you too, Mom."

Pulling away, she put her hand on my rounded belly. "How is the little one doing? Did you miss your grandma too?"

A giggle left me.

"He or she?" asked Sinister. A light lit in his eyes.

"Don't know. We decided to be surprised," I replied.

An elderly woman in her sixties, in a white and black uniform approached me with an enthusiastic grin on her wrinkled face. Her gaze was on my belly.

But before she could reach me, Adrian pulled me to his side. His hand wrapped around me in a protective grip.

"Who are you?" He demanded.

The woman took a step back, startled at the sudden rise of Adrian's voice.

"Relax, son. She is Martha. Our housekeeper. You can trust her." Sinister sent a look of apology towards that woman. So did Lilly.

"I don't care. Keep your staff away from my Sofia. If possible, you too."

"Adrian!" My lips pressed at his rude words.

But he didn't look at me.

"Say whatever you want to say, Mom. Now. So that we can go back. I don't have time to attend any function of yours."

Her face paled. "B-but you just arrived, honey. We will talk during the dinner. This function won't be possible without you."

He let out a grunt. "What function are you talking about? Be clear! Speak up now or else we are leaving."

"Our wedding." Sinister wrapped his arm around Lilly's shoulder. "We're getting married this Friday. And we want our whole family to be there."

I gasped. Even Anastasia seemed surprised. From what I heard, she was quite close to Sinister. But it was clear that she didn't see it coming either.

The broad smiles were soon to appear on our faces at the same time as we shared a look. They had suffered a lot in their past. But it was over. They were going to get their happily ever after soon.

Out of happiness, a squeal left me as I wrapped my arms around Lilly.

"Oh my God! I knew it! I knew sooner or later it's going to happen! I'm so happy for you!"

Nodding, she smiled at me. But her hesitant eyes glanced back at her son. Who was silent.

Turning to him, I found his sharp sexy jaw tight as he gritted his teeth. With his eyes hard as steel, his fists were curled.

"Adrian… honey…"

Lilly was cut off by him.

"So you're really doing it? Forgiving him for everything he had done and moving on?"

She winced at his words. "I had forgiven him the moment I found out the truth. To be honest, deep down I knew he loved us. That whatever he did, there was a reason behind it. And it's the truth. You know it really well. He left us to keep us safe. Why don't you get it?"

A sigh left her as she moved close to him before caressing his cheek.

"I know you're not over it yet. I can understand it will take time. Not only Sinister, even I hurt you a lot in your childhood. And I can't express how sorry I am. But you have forgiven me Adrian. Then why not him?" At her question, he looked away. "My happiness is with your father, honey. I have never stopped loving him. After years, now that I finally got him back, I want to live my rest of the life with him. Beside him. Please, without your consent, we don't want to take such a big step in our lives. We need you here."

After a moment of silence, he made distance from Lilly. An indifference claimed over his features.

"It's your life. If you decided to be with him, then go on. Congratulations. But don't expect me to be there. I have plenty of work to do than attending the wedding," he said. "If you're done, we will leave now."

Her face dropped. So did mine. While Sinister let out a tired sigh.

"But…"

"Not buts. Let's go, Sofia."

Grabbing my hand, he turned to leave. But when I didn't move, turning to me he raised a brow.

"I'm not going anywhere." I held those dominating gaze.

A muscle of his jaw ticked.

"Love, we are not staying here. I can't push all my work away for this wedding. And you need to rest."

I nodded. "That's right. I need to rest. After hours of journey, I can't travel now. Don't you think so?"

At my question, he went quiet.

"So whether we're attending the wedding or not, I'm definitely not leaving now. I need rest. If you want to leave, then go on."

With that, I turned to Martha and smiled.

"Martha, can you please show me my room?"

"Sofia."

His warning went ignored by my ears.

Leaving Adrian a concerned glance, Martha then nodded at me before guiding me the way to the room I was going to stay in.

A curse reached my ears. But I didn't stop walking.

And as expected, after a moment, heavy footsteps followed me. A series of curses accompanied.

A smile danced in the corner of my lips as I followed Martha with my always angry husband behind me.