After freshening up, I went to find Maila. In the end, I found her in Maddie’s bedroom.
They were both sleeping on her bed, with Maddie cuddling and holding Princess close to her chest.
Such a sweet sight. One that also made my heart ache.
Maddie would have been holding her baby too. Just like this. But now…she could only hold Maila.
Tears stung my eyes as I continued to watch them. With a heavy heart, I closed the door softly, letting them have their moment.
Next stop was Lyov’s office. I knocked at the door and heard him call me in. Walking inside, I found Isaak there too.
They both looked deep in discussion, but everything stopped when I stepped in. Smiles were sent my way as I moved closer.
“Ayla,” Lyov acknowledged me.
Smiling, I nodded his way before Isaak took me in his arms. He hugged me and then stepped back, Lyov taking his place.
It was a surprise seeing Lyov change from someone harsh and hateful to loving me as a daughter.
The last few months, he had transformed into someone totally different. He and Isaak were the perfect grandfathers. I couldn’t have asked for better grandparents to lead Maila and support her.
It further proved that even ruthless killers had a heart. I would have never thought that I would find solace and a loving family with my enemies. Yet here I was, living with them. Loved by them.
“What are you doing here?” Isaak asked.
“I wanted to ask Lyov something. I was hoping you wouldn’t mind,” I started gently, watching Lyov’s reaction.
“Of course. What is it?” he asked, taking his seat behind the desk.
I opened my mouth to reply but quickly snapped it shut again. My voice couldn’t seem to come out. I had wanted to say this for such a long time, but now that I was here, I didn’t know how to start.
My throat bobbed as I swallowed several times. Nervousness coursed through me as they waited for me to speak. Their eyes were on me, watching me intensely.
After a few seconds of silence, I tried again.
“Isaak is supposed to walk me down the aisle tomorrow,” I said softly, glancing toward Isaak for a brief moment. He smiled, his chest puffing out proudly.
There was no question that Isaak would walk me down the aisle. It was his right, something I had dreamed of. A fairy tale coming true.
But there was someone else who deserved this moment too.
He would never get this chance, but I wanted him to experience this. Something that was robbed away from him so many years ago, I wanted to return him this happiness.
My eyes went back to Lyov. “But I want you to walk me down the aisle too. Both of you.”
His mouth fell open. There was silence, only the sound of us breathing could be heard in the room.
“You want me to walk you down the aisle?” he questioned, his eyes wide in shock. “But?”
I cut him off before he could continue. “It’s something that I want and I hope you would be part of, Lyov. I might not be your real daughter. I might not be your princess, but just this once, I want to give you this moment. Both Isaak and you deserve this.”
Isaak rubbed his chest, like it was hurting him. He looked down at his feet but not before I saw the raw emotion on his face. Lyov had a very similar look.
“So, will you? Walk me down the aisle with Isaak?” I asked again.
Lyov stared at me and then shook his head. My heart dropped, and my hands grew clammy. I twisted the end of my dress, trying to calm my breathing.
“Where the hell did you come from?” he asked, his lips twitching in a small smile.
Lyov stood up, pushing his chair back. He walked around the desk and wrapped me in a hug. “It would be my honor,” he whispered.
My eyes widened, and my breath was stuck in my throat. Tears blinded my vision as I hugged him back. “Thank you,” I whispered back.
As we pulled away, I went to give Isaak a hug. “And thank you for being my father and for choosing to walk me down the aisle. It is something I will forever be grateful for.”
Isaak patted my back and cleared his throat. Both men stared at me with a small smile on their faces.
I felt mine widen, and then I giggled. “Alessio would be laughing at you all if he saw you now.”
They lost their smiles, their face turning dark and serious. “Fuck no,” Lyov muttered. “If you say anything to him…”
I snapped my mouth shut, trying to keep my laughter in.
“Go. Go. Go…” Isaak shooed me away.
My feet took me out of the door as my laughter bubbled out. I heard both of them curse when the door closed behind me.