Fated by a Single Night

MIKHAIL'S POV :

The red light above the emergency room refused to turn off. Every second felt like an hour. My shirt was stained with Isabella's blood.

My hands were still shaking. For years I had watched men die without blinking. I had pulled the trigger countless times. Faced death more times than I could remember.

But tonight...

For the first time, I was terrified. Not for myself. For her. And for the two lives she was carrying.

---

"Boss..." Igor approached carefully. "Our men are still searching for the remaining kidnappers."

I didn't even look at him. "Find every single one." My voice was cold. "Don't stop until they're all found."

"Yes, Boss." He hesitated. "...About what Miss Volkov said..."

I closed my eyes. "I heard it."

"They're yours." Those three words echoed endlessly inside my head. Could it really be true?

---

ISABELLA'S POV :

Darkness. That was all I could see.

Then a familiar voice.

"Mi niña..."

Abuela. I slowly turned around. She was standing in the middle of a field filled with white flowers. Smiling at me. Just like she always did.

"Abuela..." I ran toward her and hugged her tightly. "I miss you..."

She gently stroked my hair. "I know."

"I'm scared..."

"I know."

"My babies..."

She smiled warmly. "They're stronger than you think."

Tears filled my eyes. "I don't know what to do anymore."

She cupped my face. "You already do."

"The only thing left..."

"...is to stop running."

The field slowly faded. Along with her smile. "Abuela..."

"Please don't leave again..."

Her voice became softer. "You've found people who will stay." Then everything disappeared.

---

PRESENT

The sound of a heart monitor slowly reached my ears.

Beep...

Beep...

Beep...

I forced my eyes open. The bright hospital lights made me squint. "...Hospital..."

"Isa?" Mama immediately stood from her chair. Tears streamed down her cheeks. "Oh, thank God..."

She hugged me gently. "Easy..."

"The doctor said not to move too much."

I immediately placed both hands over my stomach. "My babies..."

Mama smiled through her tears. "They're okay."

Relief washed over me. I closed my eyes. "Thank you..."


---

The door slowly opened. The doctor entered carrying a clipboard. "Good morning, Miss Volkov."

"How are you feeling?"

"My shoulder hurts."

"That's expected."

"The bullet only grazed you." I nodded.

"And..."

"The twins?"

The doctor smiled. "They're both healthy."

"They're fighters."

A tear rolled down my cheek. "My brave babies..."

---

OUTSIDE THE ROOM

Mikhail stood quietly near the window. He had heard everything. Both babies were safe. For the first time since the shooting he finally breathed.

---

The doctor stepped outside. "Mr. Petrov?" He looked up. "I assume you're the one who brought her here."

"Yes."

"The patient asked if you could come in."

His heartbeat quickened. "...She did?"

The doctor nodded. "Only for a few minutes."

---

ISABELLA'S POV :

The door slowly opened. He stepped inside. Still wearing the same bloodstained shirt. Our eyes met. Neither of us spoke.

Finally he broke the silence. "How are you?"

"I've been better."

A small smile appeared on his lips. The first genuine smile I'd ever seen from him. It disappeared just as quickly. He looked down.

"...You said something before you lost consciousness."

I looked away. Of course. He remembered. Silence filled the room.

"I wasn't imagining it..." He whispered. "...Was I?"

Tears slowly gathered in my eyes. "No."

He didn't move. Didn't breathe.

"...The twins."

I nodded. "They're yours."

---

The room became painfully quiet. He stared at me. Unable to speak. Unable to react. Finally he sat down beside the bed.

"Why?" His voice was barely audible. "Why didn't you tell me?"

I looked at my hands. "I didn't know your name."

"When I left that morning..."

"I thought I'd never see you again."

"I found out I was pregnant weeks later."

"I didn't even know where to start looking." I laughed bitterly.

"How do you search for a stranger?"

He remained silent. I continued. "When I finally learned who you were..."

"I was afraid."

"Afraid?"

I nodded. "You're Mikhail Petrov."

"One of the most feared men in Russia."

"I didn't know if you'd believe me."

"I didn't know if you'd hate me."

"I didn't know if you'd think I was after your money."

"So..."

"I chose to raise them alone."

---

MIKHAIL'S POV :

Every word she said felt like another punch to my chest. She had been carrying our children...

Alone.

Going to every doctor's appointment...

Alone.

Facing every fear...

Alone.

Because I wasn't there. Not because I didn't want to be. Because I never knew. I slowly looked at her stomach.

"Our children..." The words felt unfamiliar. Yet somehow... Right. Very right.

---

I carefully stood. Then...

Very hesitantly...

I looked at her. "May I...?"

She knew what I meant. She looked down at her stomach. Then back at me. After a few seconds...

She nodded. "You can."

With trembling hands I gently placed my palm over her baby bump. For a moment nothing happened. Then a tiny kick landed against my hand. I froze.

"..."

Another kick. Followed by a second one. I let out a shaky laugh. "That..."

"Was both of them."

She smiled softly. "Our son kicks harder."

"And our daughter follows."

I couldn't explain what I was feeling. It wasn't happiness. It wasn't relief. It was something much deeper. Something I had never experienced before. Love. Not the kind between lovers. The kind a father feels...

The moment he realizes he already has children waiting for him. A single tear escaped my eye. I quickly wiped it away.

"I..." My voice broke. "I'm sorry."

"I wasn't here."

She gently shook her head. "You didn't know."

"No."

"I should have found you."

Silence settled between us. Then he made a promise. Looking directly into her eyes. "From this day forward..."

"No one will ever hurt you."

"Not you."

"Not our son."

"And not our daughter."

"I swear it."

For the first time Isabella believed him.