While narrating about the things that happened in thest few months, Ste didn''t say anything about Ivan''s betrayal because she didn''t want Vasily to get upset, but she said almost everything else.


    "Sarah now controls your people. She told them that you are recuperating from the injury and that she is acting as your proxy until you return..." Ste also spoke about how Konstantin is still in the family, despite losing his position as the Grand Elder, and she exined the new restructure of the Lebedevs. "When you return, you will see that things are much more... harmonious."


    Ste ended her talk and asked, "Any questions?"


    "Many.", Vasily responded in a raspy voice. "But I need some time to take all this in."


    "Alright. Let''s take a small break. I will go and grab some coffee. Can I get you something?"


    "No, thank you.", Vasily rejected.


    When Ste left the room, Sarah approached the bed and observed Vasily keenly. "Why did you lie?"


    Vasily blinked. "About?"


    Sarah narrowed her eyes at Vasily. "That you don''t remember things."


    She was watching Vasily while Ste spoke, and Eve-lens revealed Vasily''s bodily indicators that are tied to his emotions.


    While Ste narrated how Sarah was the Grand Elder and that they infiltrated the Voronin family and got captured, Vasily was cool as a cucumber.


    Sarah might think that Vasily is always soposed, but when Ste spoke about events that happened after Vasily fell into aa (like how they took over the Voronin family and that now they are coborating), Vasily''s heartrate was changing with his emotions.


    Ste would normally catch on to these giveaways, but now she was too emotional to notice. And she probably didn''t think that Vasily would be so shameless.


    Vasily realized that Sarah saw through him. He smiled a little. "Give your Uncle a break, will you? If I show that I remember things, they will make me work right away."


    Sarah stifled augh. "So, you will pretend to be weak in order to extort a vacation?"


    "I''m not pretending. Didn''t you hear Anna? It will take months for me to recuperate. Months."


    Sarah gave up. "Take as much time as you want, Uncle. North America is stable, and we are expanding to South America steadily."


    Vasily''s eyes stirred with emotions. "Thank you, Sarah."


    She assumed that he thanked her for taking care of his territories, or maybe because she will not expose his lie. "Don''t worry about it. I am a Lebedev, after all. I''m doing what''s best for the family."


    "Not that…", Vasily said and when Sarah looked at him questionably, he exined, "Thank you for calling me ''Uncle''."


    Sarah''s chin trembled. "I am so sorry for misunderstanding you. If I knew about your intentions… why didn''t you tell me?"


    "Would you believe me?"


    Sarah had to admit that he had a point. "Probably not."


    "How did you find out?", Vasily asked.


    "I watched the video you recorded.", Sarah said.


    Vasily''s brows furrowed in confusion. "What video?"


    "It was on the USB you gave to Aiden.", Sarah exined.


    "What USB?"


    Sarah opened her mouth and closed it. For a moment she was not sure if Vasily is messing with her or if he really doesn''t remember, but then he smiled a little, and Sarah shook her head helplessly.


    "You heard Anna. I might have a selective memory loss.", Vasily said cheekily, and Sarah didn''t know how to respond. But she was relieved that Vasily is awake and that she will get her chance to fix things.


    "I really wish that you stop messing with me.", Sarah said.


    "What else will I do for fun?", Vasily asked innocently. Now that Sarah showed she cares about him, he found big joy in teasing her.


    "Focus on getting better, Uncle. As soon as Anna says that you are stable, you will move in with us.", Sarah said and nced toward Aiden before returning her gaze to Vasily who looked at her with his eyes open wide. Sarah smiled and gave a small nod, confirming that he heard her right. "We have a room ready for you. Hero, Luna, and Be will be happy to catch all the balls that you throw. And you are wee to stay as long as you want… My kids will be happy if you teach them some moves and give them feedback on their performance..."


    Ste stood outside doors and listened to Sarah talking. She reached in time to hear Sarah saying to Vasily that he can move into the Cliffside Vi, and all the promises of a happy time together.


    Considering all the previous hostility, Ste was not sure if Sarah meant it, but she knew that Vasily needed motivation in order to lift his battered spirit.


    Ste entered after Sarah ended talking.


    "Alright...", Sarah said to both Ste and Vasily. "We will leave now and return tomorrow."


    Aiden swiftly packed theirptops, and they were out of the room within a minute.


    Aiden was happy to see that the dark cloud that drifted above Sarah''s head for thest few months disappeared. The change in Sarah''s mood that urred with Vasily''seback was tangible.


    Sarah always cherished people who treated her well and were loyal. The revtion that she misunderstood Vasily hit Sarah hard, and Aiden was worried if she will ever be able to snap out of it. If Vasily died, she would not have a chance to fix it. However, now that Vasily was awake, Sarah got her second chance with Vasily and Aiden knew that Sarah will make the most of it.


    Sarah and Aiden left after wishing them a good night, and Ste and Vasily found themselves alone in the room.


    Ste looked at Vasily and exhaled heavily. "Don''t do such a reckless thing again, Vasily..."


    He smiled a little. "You know that I would do anything for your three girls, Milena. I don''t have kids, and I see Sophia, Anna, and Sarah as mine."


    "Our girls, Vasily. Our girls.", Ste corrected him and when she saw his curious gaze, she exined, "Since they found you, all three of them are taking good care of you. For some time you were in Sarah''s home. If you died..." Ste paused and shook her head. "They would be devastated."


    Vasily thought how that was ironic. He needed to die in order for someone to appreciate what he did in his life. But he had no regrets. He did what he had to do for Sarah, and he would do it again if needed.


    "You know that I couldn''t be at peace if any of them got harmed, and I knew that I had the power to prevent it.", Vasily said after some time. His speech was slow, betraying how tired he was.


    "OK. OK. I''m not used to seeing you this sentimental.", Ste said. "Get some rest. Our girls are waiting for you to get better. We all are waiting for you..."


    Vasily leaned into the pillow and closed his eyes while hoping that thest few hours were not a dream.


    ---


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