Gone Girl

Alessia sat in the den, her eyes unfocused as she stared out the window. Nicolai hovered nearby, his concerned gaze never leaving her. The news of Petr's death and Dmitri's disappearance had shaken them both, but Nicolai's constant presence was beginning to wear on her nerves.

She took a deep breath, forcing a small smile as she turned to him. "Nicolai, darling, why don't you go to your office? I'm sure there's work piling up."

He frowned, moving closer. "I don't want to leave you alone, my love. Not after everything that's happened."

"Really, I'll be fine. I know..."

Just then, Sergei appeared in the doorway, a stranger at his side. "Boss, Mikhail needs you to go over some business matters," Sergei said.

Nicolai hesitated, glancing between Alessia and the newcomers.

Sergei cleared his throat and spoke directly to Alessia. "Mikail is...an accountant. He's got some important, uh, figures to go over."

Alessia seized the opportunity. "Go on, darling. I'll be fine. I have some medical jou