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"Complications from the birth?" She’d died because of me?

Kovalev quickly said, "You cannot blame yourself Health care wasn’t what it should have been The entire country was in turotten to hold ivenof this We’d beenseparated"

"Because of the Bratva code?" I asked

"Da I had no idea I would have defied the code, searching heaven and earth for such a daughter as you!"

Though I thought I was pretty daly? Just because I was his biologically? Or because of field reports from his enforcer? "You say that with suchsurety I know blood ties can be important to some people, but you can understand why I think other connections are important too"

"Of course! Yet I feel as if I already know you since Aleksei has spoken so highly of you It’s very rare for hihly? And wholeheartedly? "What has Sevastyan told you?" Would I live up to the hype?

"He told me that you’re an honor student, with numerous academic awards and scholarships He sent me copies of papers you’ve written for journals; we’ve read them all"

I suddenly wished I’d put a little more effort into thesters would think about ender, and hoh to ask theot to see pictures of you at county fairs when young andkaraoke with friends"

I’d forgotten Jess had uploaded that video, from back in my enthusiasm-truht, hussy My cheeks heated, and I sipped tea to cover my consternation

In a wry tone, Kovalev said, "You coh intothat he had the mischievous sense of huone to school full-tirave, Kovalev said, "I know that you would often work so hard, you would stumble home in exhaustion"

I flushed uncomfortably He oal, therefore I’d busted ht’ve just been drunk ’Cause that’s entirely possible"

Kovalev went quiet All I heard was the tick-tock of a thousand clocks Then he threw back his head and laughed

He had a great laugh, giving hi in

Once we’d quieted down, he wiped his eyes, saying, "What a treasure you are, Natalie"