𝐕𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐧

The ride home is quiet. Too quiet.

I lean my head against the window, watching the darkened streets pass by, but my mind is still back at the hospital—with her.

Elena.

Her warmth still lingers on my skin, the ghost of her touch seared into me. The way she buried her face in my chest, seeking comfort. The way she melted under my hands when I held her. That little shiver she gave when I whispered against her skin. A smirk tugs at my lips. My angel is so damn easy to tease. And I love every second of it.

I can still hear her voice in my head. "Am I bringing you into a bad position?"

The fact that she even worries about that—about me—only makes me love her more.

"You're thinking about her."

Papa's voice pulls me out of my thoughts. I glance at him briefly. He's staring at the road, but I know he sees everything. He always does.

I don't bother denying it. "Yeah."

He hums, gripping the wheel. "She means something to you." It's not a question.

I sigh through my nose. "Yeah."

He doesn't say anything else for the rest of the drive. Typical.

When we finally pull up to the estate, I step out, stretching my arms before following Papa inside. I barely have a chance to take off my jacket before—

"Vaughn, 𝗺𝗼𝗶 𝗺𝗮𝗹'𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗸."

I stop in my tracks.

Mama stands at the base of the stairs, wrapped in a silk robe, her hazel eyes sharp with curiosity.

Papa doesn't even slow down. He walks past us like he hasn't just thrown me to the wolves, disappearing into his study. I swear, I catch the ghost of a smirk on his face before the door shuts.

Coward.

Mama descends the stairs gracefully, stopping just inches from me. She reaches up, smoothing a wrinkle in my collar like she's inspecting me for evidence of my crimes.

"You're smiling."

I smirk, tilting my head. "Am I?"

"You are," she says, narrowing her eyes. "And you reek of... affection."

I chuckle. "That so?"

She crosses her arms, studying me with that sharp gaze of hers. "It's her, isn't it?"

I exhale a laugh, shaking my head. "You don't miss a thing, do you, Mama?"

"Of course not." She tilts her head, watching me closely. "So tell me... what did she do to put that look on your face?"

That look.

I glance away, rubbing the back of my neck. "She was upset. I made her feel better. Teased her a little."

I can still see her face—flushed, grumbling, trying to fight her reaction to me and failing miserably.

Mama watches me, something flickering in her gaze. Then, to my surprise, she smiles. "Ah. You're completely gone for this girl, aren't you?"

Gone.

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. "She's... everything."

The words come out softer than I intend, but I don't regret them.

Mama's teasing fades, replaced by something warmer. She steps closer, reaching up to cup my cheek. Her touch is soft, but her eyes are piercing.

"Does she love you, Vaughn?"

I don't even hesitate. "Yeah. She does."

Mama's smile lingers as she pats my cheek. "Then that's all that matters."

She turns to leave, but then—

"Now, go get some rest. You'll need your energy if you're going to keep up with that King girl."

I freeze.

Everything in me goes still.

I turn to her slowly. "...What?"

Mama raises a brow. "What?"

"You know?"

She gives me an unimpressed look. "Of course, I know. Kirill texted me earlier. Said you finally got yourself a girlfriend."

I exhale, relief washing over me. "Right. Then—"

"I just didn't know it was 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗮 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗴."

Silence.

The air shifts.

Mama's soft expression sharpens, her eyes turning cold. The warmth is gone. The teasing is gone. Now, there's only the look of a woman calculating every possible consequence in real time.

I clench my jaw. "Mama—"

She folds her arms, her voice smooth as glass. "Tell me, 𝗺𝗼𝗶 𝗺𝗮𝗹'𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗸. When exactly were you planning on mentioning that your girlfriend is the only daughter of Aiden King?"

I glance toward Papa's study, debating whether or not I can make a run for it.

Mama takes a step forward. "Don't even think about it."

I sigh, rubbing my temples. "Look, it's complicated."

"Complicated is an understatement," she mutters, shaking her head. "Do you have any idea how much Aiden King despises us?"

I let out a humorless chuckle. "Oh, I'm well aware."

Mama studies me, trying to figure out what the hell her son is thinking. I don't blame her. If I were her, I'd be just as confused.

"And you love her?" she asks, quieter this time.

I meet her gaze, my voice steady. "I do."

Mama stares at me for a long moment. Then, to my absolute shock, she sighs.

"Of course, you do," she mutters, shaking her head. "You're your father's son, after all. You Morozov men always fall for the impossible."

A slow smirk tugs at my lips. "So... you're not gonna tell me to break up with her?"

Mama pinches the bridge of her nose. "Vaughn, go to bed before I change my mind."

I chuckle. "No threats? No warnings?"

Her hazel eyes lock onto mine. "Don't push it, 𝗺𝗮𝗹'𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗸."

I lift my hands in surrender and start heading toward the stairs.

As I walk away, I hear her muttering something in Russian under her breath, probably cursing Papa for passing down his reckless love for dangerous women.

I can't help but smile.