Chapter 16

Chapter 16

It was a beautiful weekend morning, the kind where the sky stretched endlessly blue and the air was crisp with the promise of autumn. Mikhail sat outside on the patio of his estate, his laptop balanced on his knees and a steaming cup of coffee in his hand. He had settled into the rhythm of work, enjoying the peaceful ambiance of the morning. The soft rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze and the occasional chirp of birds were the only sounds that accompanied him—until a burst of giggles and laughter broke through the tranquility.

Mikhail paused with his fingers hovering over the keyboard. He then looked up as a curious smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. The sounds of joy were unmistakably from Hunter and Calliope. And so he craned his neck, trying to locate them, his eyes scanning the expansive yard. Until his gaze settled on the maze of low hedges a short distance away, where he spotted Calliope and Hunter. They were clearly visible over the top of the bushes, and