Rege returned to the gazebo expecting to find Maya exactly where he had left her.
And somehow, despite knowing she would be there, the sight still affected him.
She was laughing.
A genuine laugh.
The kind that lit her entire face.
Nadia was saying something animatedly beside her, using both hands as she spoke while Maya shook her head in amusement.
The sunlight filtering through the climbing roses caught in strands of Maya's long dirty blonde hair, turning them almost golden.
For a moment, Rege simply stood there.
Watching.
The restlessness that had followed him from the study finally eased.
There she was.
Safe.
Smiling.
Exactly where she belonged.
Maya looked up.
The instant she spotted him, her smile softened.
And something inside Rege settled completely.
Without a word, he crossed the remaining distance.
Maya barely had time to greet him before he lowered himself into the seat beside her.
Then, as naturally as breathing, he pressed a kiss against her cheek.
The gesture lasted only a second.
Yet it left Maya blinking.
Heat immediately climbed into her face.
"Nadia is right here," she murmured under her breath.
Nadia gasped dramatically.
"Oh my God."
Nikolai nearly laughed.
Andrei looked delighted.
Even Maxim looked vaguely entertained.
Meanwhile Rege simply looked at Maya.
Completely unconcerned by the audience.
His lips curved faintly.
A private smile reserved entirely for her.
Maya's blush deepened.
Across the table, Olga looked seconds away from bursting into tears from happiness.
The arrival of the lunch finally saved Maya from further embarrassment.
The gazebo entrance filled with staff carrying polished silver trays and elegant serving dishes.
The scent reached them immediately.
Fresh bread.
Roasted vegetables.
Herb-seasoned meats.
Rich sauces.
Warm pastries.
The entire gazebo quickly filled with delicious aromas.
Maya's eyes widened.
Again.
Rege noticed immediately.
Of course he did.
And his smile returned.
God.
She really did look excited about food.
The staff moved efficiently around the massive table while Eleanor directed them quietly.
Her composure had returned.
Perfectly arranged.
Perfectly controlled.
No one would have guessed she had been crying.
Only Tanya noticed the faint redness lingering around her eyes.
Only Tanya understood exactly what it meant.
Eleanor served everyone with graceful efficiency.
First Ivan.
Then Julia and Gregory.
Eventually she reached Rege.
Their eyes never met.
Not once.
The distance between them felt wider than ever.
When she finally took her seat beside Ivan, lunch officially began.
Maya immediately reached for one of the serving spoons.
Only to have Rege gently take it from her.
"I can serve myself."
"You can."
Maya narrowed her eyes.
"Then why are you serving me?"
Rege placed vegetables onto her plate.
Then chicken.
Then potatoes.
Then another item.
"You looked overwhelmed."
Maya stared.
Then laughed.
"That's fair."
The family watched the exchange.
No one said anything.
But everyone noticed.
Especially Tanya.
Especially Eleanor.
Because Rege wasn't simply attentive.
He enjoyed taking care of Maya.
And that difference mattered.
Olga finally clasped her hands together.
Smiling brightly.
"Before we begin."
Everyone looked toward her.
"Let's pray."
Her eyes landed immediately on Nadia.
"Nadia dear."
Nadia sighed dramatically.
Several people already looked concerned.
"Nadia."
"Fine."
Everyone joined hands.
Closed their eyes.
The gazebo fell quiet.
For approximately two seconds.
Then—
"Thank you Heavenly Father for this meal."
Nadia paused.
"Thank you for amazing company."
Another pause.
"And not-so-amazing company."
Julia opened one eye immediately.
Nikolai's shoulders started shaking.
Maya bit the inside of her cheek.
Hard.
Olga looked seconds away from laughing.
Nadia continued completely seriously.
"Please let us enjoy this food."
Another pause.
"And survive each other."
Now Andrei was openly laughing.
"Nadia."
"Amen."
The entire table chorused:
"Amen."
The moment the prayer ended, Maya lowered her head and nearly snorted into her napkin.
Olga completely lost the battle and laughed.
Even Roman smiled.
Julia looked deeply offended.
Which only made everything worse.
Lunch passed surprisingly peacefully afterward.
Conversation flowed naturally.
Stories were shared.
Memories surfaced.
Laughter came easily.
And for perhaps the first time since arriving, Maya no longer felt like a guest.
She felt included.
Part of something.
Part of them.
The realization settled warmly inside her chest.
Eventually lunch ended.
And Nadia immediately stood.
"Maya."
Maya looked up.
"We're leaving."
Rege frowned.
"Where?"
Nadia looked offended.
"I'm showing her the house."
"Now?"
"Yes."
Rege looked entirely unimpressed.
Nadia looked entirely unrepentant.
Maya laughed.
"Nadia."
"No."
Nadia grabbed her hand.
"Come."
Within seconds Maya was being pulled away.
Again.
Leaving Rege staring after them.
Nikolai nearly laughed himself unconscious.
The gazebo gradually emptied afterward.
Conversations dispersed.
Family members wandered elsewhere.
Eventually only two people remained.
Rege.
And Tanya.
The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable.
Just unfamiliar.
The fountains continued flowing nearby.
Birdsong drifted softly through the gardens.
The afternoon sun had begun its slow descent.
For a while neither spoke.
Then Tanya smiled.
Small.
Genuine.
"Congratulations."
Rege looked toward her.
"Maya seems special."
His gaze drifted briefly toward the direction Maya had disappeared.
A faint softness immediately entered his expression.
That alone answered the question.
Tanya smiled sadly.
He nodded once.
She looked down at her hands resting in her lap.
"I can see that."
The wind moved gently through the roses overhead.
For a moment neither spoke.
Then Tanya exhaled.
"I wish you both the best."
Rege remained silent.
Listening.
"It's obvious you treat her differently."
The words carried no bitterness.
Only honesty.
"And I sincerely hope you keep treating her that way."
Her smile weakened slightly.
The silence afterward stretched.
Then—
"And don't hurt her the way you hurt me."
The words landed quietly.
Without accusation.
Without anger.
Which somehow made them heavier.
Because they were true.
Tanya lifted her eyes.
"She's a special person."
Rege held her gaze.
Then nodded once.
"I know."
The certainty in his voice surprised even Tanya.
After a moment he spoke.
"Pardon me."
She blinked.
"For how things ended."
The apology was unexpected.
Because Rege rarely apologized.
Not unless he genuinely meant it.
Tanya studied him.
Then smiled.
Sad.
Warm.
Accepting.
"Don't worry about that."
The words came softly.
"You did what was best."
Another silence settled.
This one lighter.
Less painful.
Because perhaps closure finally looked like this.
Not dramatic declarations.
Not unresolved longing.
Just acceptance.
Several minutes passed.
Then Tanya noticed something amusing.
Rege kept checking toward the mansion.
Toward the gardens.
Toward wherever Maya had gone.
Every few minutes.
Like someone waiting.
Like someone searching.
Like someone fighting the urge to leave.
Tanya finally laughed.
The sound surprised him.
"You should go."
Rege looked at her.
"You seem restless without her."
For a second he looked genuinely caught.
Which only made Tanya laugh harder.
The great Rege Hastings.
Hopelessly attached.
Who would've thought?
To her surprise, he didn't deny it.
Didn't argue.
Didn't pretend.
He simply stood.
Tanya shook her head.
Smiling.
"There he is."
Rege's expression remained perfectly serious.
Which somehow made it even funnier.
Then he nodded once.
And left.
Immediately.
Without hesitation.
Without pretending he had any other destination.
Tanya watched him disappear.
Then leaned back in her chair.
Listening to the fountains.
Watching the sunlight dance across the gardens.
A small smile touched her lips.
Because despite everything—
She had never seen Rege happier.
And maybe that was enough.