The warm water cascaded down Alexei's back in slow, steady streams. It was comforting; like the gentle press of fingers kneading tension out of his muscles.
He tilted his head under the flow, closing his eyes as the heat loosened the tightness in his shoulders. It felt like a massage after having rough sex.
He ran a hand through his wet hair, dragging it back from his forehead.
Eventually, he turned off the shower and stepped out, reaching for the towel. He wrapped it around his waist and walked quietly to the bedroom, expecting emptiness.
He thought she might have slipped out while he was in the bathroom, maybe taken his wallet or tried to vanish like most women did after pretending intimacy.
But she hadn't left.
She was still there, lying on her side. The blanket twisted halfway around her, exposing her bare back and one leg.
He stared for a moment. Then turned away. There was no reason to stay any longer.
He dressed quickly and left the room without another word.
Now seated alone in his car, Alexei exhaled deeply. He'd dismissed his driver earlier that night, not expecting to need anyone.
The silence around him felt heavy, but not peaceful. It was uncomfortable, and he tried distracting himself with his thoughts.
He lit a cigarette and leaned back against the leather seat, dragging in a long breath before releasing it through his nose. The haze curled upward before disappearing into the dark.
All he felt was regret.
Not just because of what happened. But because of who it happened with.
She was strange. Everything about her, really. Her expressions, the way she spoke as though she was practicing for a Shakespearean role. And maybe she was.
There was something off about her. Like she hadn't been pretending, but rather... lost. Out of place. Yet, in that moment, he hadn't cared.
He should have rejected her and actually walked away.
But instead, he'd given in and let her pull him under like she meant something. She must have thought she had the right to touch parts of him he didn't let anyone reach.
And worst of all, he couldn't explain why his body had reacted the way it did. Why his instincts hadn't warned him. Or why he wanted to believe her, even as she looked him in the eyes and said her name:
"Lola Park."
He narrowed his eyes at the memory.
Before pulling out his phone.
"Run a background check on someone for me," his tone sounded rather hostile than relaxed. "Name's Lola Park."
...
Back at the estate, the front door opened with a soft creak as Alexei stepped inside.
"Sir, you're back already?" the housekeeper called, surprised. "You said you'd be out late."
"I changed my mind." He didn't look at her as he slipped off his shoes.
She approached, reaching for his coat and suit jacket. "Were you drinking?"
"No." He straightened his cuffs. "Is Noelle asleep?"
"Yes, sir. He went to bed not long after your call." She folded the jacket neatly over her arm and followed him into the living room.
Alexei walked to the table and paused. Right at the edge sat a single sheet of paper, carefully placed where he would see it. A report card.
"He left it there for you," the housekeeper said quietly. "He said, 'If Dad comes back, he'll see it.'"
Alexei picked it up and held it closer. His eyes scanned the results. All excellent. The boy had done extremely well.
A quiet warmth stirred in his chest. Pride. A rare feeling, and one he wasn't entirely used to.
"He wouldn't let me sign it, no matter how I tried," she said with a faint smile. "So I suggested putting it on the table. I told him if you didn't come home, I'd sign it in the morning. That finally convinced him."
Alexei said nothing for a moment. Then he reached for a pen.
A l e x e i A d k i n s.
His signature was firm and clear across the bottom.
"Is everything ready?" the housekeeper asked as she placed a glass of water beside him.
"Yes," Alexei replied. "I'll take him to the registry this Sunday."
Noel had lived under his roof for over two years now. The adoption paperwork had been stuck in limbo, waiting on one last condition. Alexei himself. The law didn't allow him to adopt until he turned thirty.
That birthday had passed just last week.
Now, finally, the process could be completed.
"He'll be part of the family for good," she said, smiling as her voice softened. "That's wonderful news. I'll prepare something special on Sunday!"
She paused, then added excitedly, "Actually, maybe I'll make it tomorrow!"
Alexei didn't smile. But he nodded.
And for a moment, he let himself feel that this, at least, was something he hadn't messed up.