Chapter 3

"Aaron, have you met Alexei before?" asked Aaron's father in an attempt to lighten the tense atmosphere during breakfast, where nobody was talking.

"Yes, father," responded Aaron. "But I must say, he has changed a lot."

"A lot?" asked Alexei in a hoarse voice, which made Elena, Aaron's mother, jump.

"Yes, a lot," answered Aaron casually. "You were shorter before and had a higher voice."

Alexei chuckled. Aaron noticed his sister literally drooling over his smile.

"I just grew up," said Alexei. "Unlike you, except for a few muscles, you haven't changed. You're still as small."

Aaron furrowed his brows. In England, nobody had ever commented on his height as he was of average stature. He stood at 1.85 meters.

"You're the one who's become a giant," Kira added, annoyed. She didn't appreciate Alexei's relationship with her sister.

"Kira Smirnov!" reprimanded their mother, giving a threatening look to the young woman.

"Sorry, dear future brother-in-law," she said.

It was no longer a secret that Myra and Alexeï were in love with each other. Unbeknownst to Myra, Alexeï's father, Mr. Dostoïevski, had come at his son's insistence to ask for her hand in marriage. He could no longer bear to be apart from her, he said, and wanted to wake up by her side every morning.

"I wanted to discuss this with you, Aaron," his father said, his voice filled with sadness. "Your sister is going to marry Alexeï here."

"As long as she is happy, that's all that matters to me," Aaron replied, looking at his sister, deeply touching Myra and making her cry.

After this emotional breakfast, Alexeï and his father left and the family gathered in the family head's office.

"I have gathered you all because we need to organize a wedding. The engagement party will be held at our place, and the wedding at the Dostoïevski's," announced the family head.

"When?" Aaron asked.

"In two weeks for the engagement party and three weeks for the wedding."

"Father, that's too soon! Why rush?" Aaron exclaimed.

"Ask your sister," his father replied, looking towards Myra.

"What?" Myra shrugged. "I love him. I want to be with him as soon as possible," she blushed.

These words elicited laughter from everyone, except Kira. At twenty-seven, Kira remained a child, wanting to stay at home and live with her family forever.

"If that's what you want," Aaron addressed Myra.

"I disagree," Kira retorted, in tears before running to her room and closing the door behind her.

"She will never grow up," their mother sighed.

"She just doesn't want to lose her sister," Mr. Smirnov replied calmly. "They are twins. Do you remember how she fell ill when her older brother left? And how close she is to Myra. They have never been separated, not even once." These words made Elena reflect and brought sadness to her. She knew this reality, but it was the fate of all girls, even Kira.

"I will talk to her," announced Myra.

"I'll come with you," added Aaron.

After their two children left, Mr. Smirnov and his wife were left alone in the office. Elena approached her husband, sat on his lap, and nestled against him, crying her heart out. Smirnov, unsure of what to do, silently stroked her back.