The silence following the siblings' arrival lasted only a moment.
Yet somehow it felt longer.
Maya sat quietly beside Rege, trying not to stare while simultaneously wanting to stare at all three of them.
Because they were fascinating.
Not only because they were Rege's siblings.
But because each of them felt completely different.
The brunette sat first.
Gracefully.
Elegantly.
Like she had been born inside rooms like this and had never once doubted she belonged there.
The two men followed.
One settled into his seat with the same controlled composure Roman carried.
The other leaned back far more casually.
Relaxed.
Comfortable.
Like someone who preferred conversations over confrontations.
Olga's smile brightened immediately.
"Maya dearest."
She pointed toward the eldest.
"This is Ivan, my eldest son."
Maya looked toward him.
Now that she could properly study him, the resemblance to Roman was almost unsettling.
The same dark eyes.
The same straight nose.
The same strong jaw.
The same expression that revealed absolutely nothing.
Ivan simply inclined his head once.
No smile.
No greeting.
Just a nod.
Yet strangely enough, it didn't feel rude.
It felt like Ivan.
Maya immediately smiled.
A warm smile.
The kind she offered everyone.
Ivan didn't react visibly.
But she could have sworn his eyes softened by half a degree.
Maybe.
Then again, maybe not.
Olga continued.
"And this is Andrei, my second son."
The second brother immediately smiled.
A genuine smile.
One that transformed his face entirely.
"It's nice to finally meet you, Maya."
His voice carried warmth that immediately differentiated him from both Ivan and Roman.
"We've heard quite a lot about you."
Maya laughed softly.
"The pleasure is all mine."
Then Olga turned toward the brunette.
Pride immediately filled her expression.
"And this is Nadia."
Her smile widened.
"My only daughter."
The beautiful woman finally looked directly at Maya.
Really looked at her.
Not casually.
Not politely.
Carefully.
Like she was trying to read every hidden thought inside Maya's head.
The scrutiny would've made most people uncomfortable.
But strangely enough, Maya understood it.
If her brother brought a woman home tomorrow, Maya would probably stare at her the exact same way.
Maybe worse.
Nadia's dark eyes remained fixed on her.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Maya."
Her voice was smooth.
Controlled.
Perfectly polite.
And completely unreadable.
Maya smiled immediately.
"Just Maya."
Nadia continued staring.
For a second.
Two.
Three.
Then simply nodded.
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
The silence that followed felt slightly awkward.
Andrei clearly noticed.
"Mum made an entire feast."
He looked around dramatically.
"I think we should rescue Sister-in-law from the kitchen."
That immediately caught Maya's attention.
"Sister-in-law?"
Andrei smiled.
"Ivan's wife."
Maya's eyes widened.
"Oh."
A wife.
Interesting.
"She's in the kitchen supervising lunch."
Andrei sighed dramatically.
"Because apparently nobody trusts us."
Maya laughed.
The family dynamic was slowly beginning to reveal itself.
"We'll wait for Maxim and Nikolai."
Nadia's voice cut through the conversation.
Sharp.
Immediate.
Certain.
The atmosphere shifted subtly.
Not enough for most people to notice.
Enough for Maya to notice.
Enough for Rege to tense beside her.
His jaw tightened.
Only slightly.
But she felt it.
Without looking at him, Maya gently squeezed his hand.
A tiny gesture.
Barely noticeable.
Yet Rege immediately relaxed.
Not completely.
Just enough.
Andrei resumed smiling.
As if nothing had happened.
"You'll meet Ivan's wife soon."
His smile softened.
"She's honestly lovely."
Maya smiled.
"I'd like that."
Across from her, Nadia continued watching.
Still assessing.
Still evaluating.
Still trying to figure Maya out.
Rege knew exactly what his sister was doing.
Which only made his jaw tighten again.
Because Nadia had always been protective.
Terrifyingly protective.
And Maya, being Maya, was too kind to realize she was currently under investigation.
He squeezed Maya's hand.
The gesture drew her attention.
She looked up.
Immediately meeting his eyes.
The faint smile he offered helped settle the nervousness slowly creeping into her chest.
And somehow that was enough.
It always seemed to be enough.
Maya smiled back.
Then turned toward his siblings again.
Ready to try.
Ready to know them.
Ready to understand the people who had shared a home with Rege long before she ever met him.
"Miss Maya."
Nadia finally spoke again.
"What are you interested in?"
Maya brightened immediately.
Because this was easy.
"I'm a writer."
For the first time, genuine interest flickered across Nadia's face.
A small change.
But Maya noticed.
"Impressive."
Nadia leaned back slightly.
"Recommend your books."
Maya blinked.
"I'd like to read them."
Olga immediately covered her eyes.
"Oh Lord."
Roman looked toward the ceiling.
Andrei burst out laughing.
Nadia looked confused.
"What?"
"You've already started."
Olga sighed dramatically.
Nadia ignored her.
Maya couldn't help smiling.
"I haven't published them yet."
"Oh."
Nadia seemed genuinely disappointed.
The honesty made Maya unexpectedly like her.
Because there wasn't anything fake about Nadia.
She didn't pretend.
She didn't flatter.
She didn't perform politeness.
She simply was.
Maya glanced around the room thoughtfully.
Ivan sat quietly.
Observing everything.
Speaking only when necessary.
Andrei carried the conversation effortlessly.
Keeping everyone comfortable.
Nadia challenged everything.
Questioned everything.
Protected everyone.
Especially Rege.
And suddenly Maya understood something.
Nadia wasn't hostile.
She was defensive.
There was a difference.
A huge difference.
And if Maya had a brother she loved as much as Nadia clearly loved Rege...
She'd probably be worse.
Much worse.
So instead of feeling offended, she found herself feeling oddly sympathetic.
Across the room, Olga caught Maya smiling.
The older woman immediately relaxed.
Because she'd been watching too.
Watching every interaction.
Watching every expression.
Watching Maya navigate the family she'd been dropped into.
"Maya dearest."
Olga's voice softened.
"As I said before..."
She glanced at her children.
"...they can be a handful."
"But they truly don't bite."
Maya laughed softly.
"It's okay."
And surprisingly...
she meant it.
For the first time since arriving at the mansion, she was beginning to feel something unexpected.
Not comfort.
Not yet.
But possibility.
Maybe she could belong here.
Maybe.
Nadia continued watching Maya for a few moments longer.
The scrutiny wasn't subtle.
It wasn't hidden.
She simply watched.
Studied.
Observed.
As though she was trying to solve a puzzle only she could see.
Then, without looking away, she said something in Russian.
"Ona kazhetsya slishkom miloy."
Maya blinked.
She didn't understand a single word.
But she understood enough to know she was being discussed.
The way Nadia's eyes remained fixed on her made that much obvious.
Before anyone else could respond—
"Nadia."
Rege's voice cut sharply through the room.
The warning landed instantly.
Cold.
Controlled.
Dangerously calm.
The effect was immediate.
Even the atmosphere seemed to shift.
Andrei stopped moving.
Roman's gaze flickered briefly toward his son.
Even Ivan's still fingers shifted slightly against the armrest.
Only Olga remained completely unbothered.
And Nadia merely rolled her eyes.
Maya glanced up at Rege.
Then immediately made a face at him.
A very obvious face.
The kind that silently said:
Behave yourself.
Rege stared at her.
The severity disappeared almost immediately.
His jaw loosened.
His expression softened.
And a faint smile touched his lips.
Maya rolled her eyes again.
Yet couldn't stop her own smile from appearing.
Across the room, Nadia witnessed the entire exchange.
So did Ivan.
So did Andrei.
None of them said a word.
"Ona i pravda milaya, Nadia."
Olga sounded entirely sincere.
Nadia looked away first.
Which, for Nadia, was practically a surrender.
The conversation moved on.
Or at least attempted to.
"Miss Maya."
Nadia's attention returned.
"How long have you known my brother?"
The question sounded casual.
Yet everyone in the room immediately knew it wasn't.
Maya opened her mouth.
Before she could answer—
"Perestan Nadia."
Ivan's voice arrived like a blade.
Cold.
Sharp.
Final.
The effect was immediate.
The room froze.
Even Maya felt it.
She didn't understand the words.
Not even slightly.
But she understood the tone.
And the authority behind it.
For the first time since entering the room, even Roman looked toward Ivan.
Only briefly.
Yet that brief glance said enough.
Andrei looked away.
Nadia's jaw tightened.
Nobody spoke.
Maya swallowed.
The sudden silence felt heavy.
Then she felt something warm brush against her hand.
Rege.
His thumb moved slowly across her knuckles.
Calm.
Steady.
As though Ivan hadn't just frozen an entire room with two words.
The gesture grounded her more than she cared to admit.
Olga rolled her eyes dramatically.
"My children are exhausting."
Nobody disagreed.
Before she could continue, her phone rang.
Olga checked the screen.
Her face brightened instantly.
"Oh."
She stood.
"I need to take this."
Roman nodded.
Olga squeezed his shoulder before disappearing down the hallway.
The moment she vanished—
Nadia immediately resumed.
This time directing her attention elsewhere.
"How have you been Rege?"
She asked it directly.
Rege didn't even look up.
"Hm."
That was it.
One sound.
Nothing more.
Nadia stared.
Andrei laughed.
Roman looked unimpressed.
Maya nudged Rege with her elbow.
Hard enough to make her point.
Rege finally looked at her.
She raised an eyebrow.
Rege rolled his eyes.
Then reluctantly glanced toward his sister.
"Fine."
Nadia looked ready to throw something at him.
Maya immediately rolled her eyes at him.
Again.
And for the briefest moment—
a quiet chuckle escaped Rege.
Soft.
Low.
Almost inaudible.
Almost.
The sound disappeared as quickly as it arrived.
But everyone heard it.
Everyone.
Andrei's game froze forgotten in his hand.
Nadia blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Roman's gaze slowly lifted from the coffee table.
Even Ivan looked toward his younger brother.
Because Rege rarely laughed.
Certainly not like that.
Certainly not because someone rolled their eyes at him.
Yet there he was.
Entirely focused on Maya.
As though the rest of the room barely existed.
Maya smiled automatically.
Then noticed the silence.
And the staring.
Her smile faltered.
She blinked repeatedly.
Then smiled awkwardly.
Rege glanced at them once.
That seemed to end the matter.
Several minutes later Olga returned.
Looking delighted.
"Good news."
She reclaimed her seat beside Roman.
Roman's hand immediately found hers.
Instinctively.
Effortlessly.
As though he'd done it thousands of times.
"Your aunt and uncle will be joining us for dinner."
Andrei groaned.
Nadia looked mildly interested.
Ivan remained unreadable.
Life gradually returned to the room.
Nadia scrolled through her phone.
Andrei resumed whatever game had previously been interrupted.
Ivan seemed lost in thought.
Roman and Olga appeared to be having an entire conversation without speaking.
Meanwhile—
Maya and Rege somehow became absorbed in each other.
Again.
Neither seemed aware of it.
Maya smiled.
Rege smiled back.
Small.
Faint.
Only for her.
Then Olga suddenly clapped her hands.
"Since dinner isn't ready and the whole family isn't here yet..."
Her eyes sparkled.
"The people who are here should properly welcome our newest family member."
Maya immediately sat straighter.
"Oh no."
"Oh yes."
Olga pointed directly at Ivan.
"Ivan."
Ivan exhaled softly.
Almost inaudibly.
Like a man accepting his fate.
Then looked directly at Maya.
"Welcome, Maya."
His voice was deep.
Rough.
Unexpectedly hoarse.
Maya blinked.
Then smiled.
"Thank you."
Ivan nodded once.
Conversation over.
Andrei immediately leaned forward.
"My turn."
Nobody stopped him.
"Welcome to the family, Maya."
His smile widened.
"And I look forward to reading your books once they're published."
Maya laughed softly.
"Thank you Andrei."
Then added,
"I hope I can call you that."
"Of course."
Andrei looked horrified.
"What else would you call me?"
Maya laughed.
The room relaxed.
Then Andrei ruined it.
"As a matter of fact, you might be my sister-in-law soon."
Maya nearly choked.
Heat flooded her face.
She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
Embarrassed.
The movement unintentionally revealed that her hand was still resting comfortably inside Rege's.
And that she hadn't tried to move it.
Not once.
Nadia noticed.
Of course she noticed.
Everyone noticed.
Nobody commented.
"Welcome to the Hastings family, Maya."
Nadia finally spoke.
The words sounded slightly forced.
As though she'd rehearsed them against her will.
"Treat my brother right."
Maya grinned.
Immediately.
Without hesitation.
And nodded.
The reaction was instinctive.
Natural.
Honest.
Then she froze.
Very suddenly.
Her smile faltered.
Only slightly.
"Wait."
Her brows pulled together.
"Hastings?"
The room became quiet.
Maya looked between them.
Confused.
Genuinely confused.
"Hastings?"
Nadia frowned.
Now equally confused.
"What?"
She looked toward Maya.
Then toward Rege.
Then back again.
"Aren't you with my brother because he's Rege Hastings?"
Silence.
Complete silence.
Maya slowly turned toward Rege.
The confusion deepened.
She stared at him.
Waiting.
Rege's jaw clenched.
Hard.
Painfully hard.
And suddenly Maya understood.
Not the significance of the surname.
Not the wealth.
Not the family.
Something simpler.
She hadn't known.
The realization landed heavily.
Because she knew so much about him.
His habits.
His smiles.
His silences.
His insomnia.
His favorite tea.
The things that frightened him.
The things that comforted him.
And somehow—
she hadn't known his surname.
Because he'd never told her.
Maya slowly withdrew her hand.
The movement was small.
Yet Rege felt every inch of it.
For the first time all afternoon.
Maya stood.
Still smiling.
Still polite.
Which somehow made everything worse.
"Please excuse me."
Nobody stopped her.
She turned.
Then walked away.
The same hallway she'd entered through earlier.
Rege stood immediately.
Not even a second later.
And followed her.
Without looking back.
Without acknowledging anyone.
The moment they disappeared around the corner—
Nadia stared.
"What?"
Her confusion intensified.
"She didn't know?"
"Of course she didn't."
Olga sounded genuinely disappointed.
"Glupaya i neseryoznaya devchonka."
Nadia visibly winced.
The room became painfully quiet.
Nadia stared after them.
Guilt slowly replacing confusion.
"I didn't know."
Nobody answered.
"I genuinely thought she knew."
Olga shook her head.
"Maya is one of the sweetest people I've ever met."
The disappointment in her voice deepened.
"That girl met me without knowing who I was."
Nadia lowered her eyes.
"She didn't care."
Andrei sighed.
"I thought she knew too."
Olga looked at him.
Disappointed.
Not angry.
Disappointed.
Which somehow felt worse.
"I raised all of you better than that."
Nobody had a defense.
Not even Andrei.
Nadia lowered her head completely.
The first time she'd done so since entering the room.
Across from her, Ivan remained silent.
Eventually his gaze shifted toward Roman.
Roman's attention remained fixed on Olga.
Thoughtful.
Quiet.
Watching his wife more than anyone else.
And for the first time that afternoon—
Nadia genuinely hoped her brother would be able to fix what she had accidentally broken.