Knock at the Door

Calista sat at her desk, hands hovering above the keyboard. It was a piece of information she had not needed to know but was revealed by Agatha later that Viktor had bought the building that housed her company. Her thoughts were racing and uneasiness filled her mind. What was he trying to do? Did he believe this would draw us closer together?

She exhaled deeply and leaned back in her chair. "Why does he have to make things so complicated?" she whispered.

Footsteps snapped her out of her thoughts. Agatha poked her head into the office, her expression tinged with curiosity. "Everything alright? You've been staring at the screen for a while."

Calista mustered a small smile. "Yeah, just thinking."

Agatha raised an eyebrow but didn't pry. "Well, let me know if you need anything."

Once she was alone again, Calista tapped her fingers on the desk. Luke's advice echoing in her head maybe you should just ask him. She shook her head. The thought of facing Viktor after three years of running and hiding was overwhelming.

Deciding she needed a break, she packed up early and headed home.

The warmth of home and Nora's cheerful voice greeted her as she walked in. Nora was sprawled on the living room floor, working on a colorful puzzle.

"Mommy!" she called out grinning as Calista stepped inside.

"Hey, sweetheart" Calista said kneeling to hug her. "How was your day?"

"It was fun, the miss said I'm good at puzzles" Nora replied proudly holding up a completed section.

"Of course you are" Calista said kissing her daughter's forehead.

They spent the evening together playing games and sharing stories but as much as Calista tried to focus on the present, her thoughts kept drifting to Viktor. What would happen if she confronted him? Was Luke right had there been a misunderstanding all those years ago?

She shook her head. Viktor didn't even know about Nora and she wasn't sure she was ready to change that.

The next morning, Eva took Nora to school. Calista got ready to leave after saying bye to Nora.

Meanwhile, after weeks of vigilance a gossipy neighbor who was very ready to spill news confirmed to Axel that Calista was a mother and had a child. Still, there was no mention of a husband.

Axel still kept walking around in a circle out in front of a corner coffee shop when suddenly this plan smacked him into place: the source, just go to her kid, because they mostly tell the truth. If right questions came then she would maybe spill the whole truth.

Axel grinned at his brilliance and turned into a small store to get a little piece of chocolate bar to try and break the ice.

Axel waited outside the school watching the stream of children pour out and looking for Nora. He spotted her skipping with Eva, the little backpack bobbing along with her gait. Once Eva was out of the way after leaving Nora to the school , Axel moved closer to Nora.

"Hi there, little one" he said stooping down a bit to speak to her eye level.

Nora tilted her head looking up at him with wide eyes. "Hi" she said hesitantly.

"I have something for you" Axel said holding out the chocolate.

Nora's eyes brightened. "For me?"

"Yup, but you have to answer a question first."

Nora hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Okay."

"Who's your father?" Axel asked keeping his tone light and friendly.

Nora furrowed her brow looking confused. "I don't know" she said after a moment.

Axel blinked shocked. "When were you born then?"

My birthday's February 26, 2076. Mommy says that's when I was born, she shook her head then excitedly added.

Just before Axel could say something else Nora seized the chocolate grinned and then ran into school.

"Well, that was as good as nothing, but it's something" Axel muttered as he dug out his phone.

He immediately dialed Elza, she picked up a few rings after.

"So, finally did you manage to do something useful?" Elza teased with sarcastic tones.

"Ha, ha, very funny" Axel retorted back. "Okay, listen. I talked to the kid. She doesn't know who her father is but she told me her birthday: February 26, 2076."

Elza hummed thoughtfully. "Interesting. Anything else?"

"Yeah. She took the chocolate right out of my hand before I even knew it was happening" Axel confessed rather unwillingly.

Elza burst out laughing. "You're telling me a kid outmaneuvered a vampire? That's something."

"Glad you're entertained" Axel muttered.

"Alright, I'll let Dexter know. This changes things" Elza said ending the call.

Elza turned to Dexter, who was engrossed in his paperwork.

"Hey, Dexter" she called in a singsong voice.

"What is it now?" Dexter asked without looking up.

Elza smirked. "Axel found something interesting. Calista's daughter was born in February 2076. Oh, and she's got reflexes sharp enough to outsmart Axel."

Dexter froze his pen in mid-air. "What are you saying?"

"There's something different about the kid" Elza said reclining lazily.

Dexter's expression grew dark. He stood up swiftly. "I must speak with Viktor at once."

Dexter rushed straight to Viktor's villa. He finally found Viktor in his study going through a stack of very old documents.

"Master" Dexter began "I have something to tell you. Calista's daughter. she might be yours."

Viktor raised his head from the papers in front of him, his gaze narrowing. "Explain."

"She was born in February 2076" Dexter said. "and Axel reported that her reflexes and physical abilities are unusual for her age. She managed to grab something from Axel before he could even react."

Viktor's face shifted, a flicker of understanding sweeping across his face. "That's why she hid" he said softly. "She ran because of this."

Dexter blinked. "Master, what should we do?"

Viktor was silent for a moment, then he started laughing a low, humorless chuckle that rose into something darker and more unraveled.

Dexter stood motionless. He had never seen Viktor like this. The laughter wasn't just amused, it was bitter, furious and filled with years of pent emotion.

"Prepare the car. Let's go" Viktor said suddenly, his voice cutting. "We leave."

"To what address?" Dexter asked carefully.

"To her" Viktor said with a final discussion.

That evening, Calista sat with Nora at the dining table. They were halfway through dinner when a knock echoed through the house.

"I'll get it." Nora said hopping down from her chair and running to the door.

Calista followed her heart skipping a beat when she heard Nora's excited shout.

"Uncle's here" Nora exclaimed, throwing her arms around the man at the door.

Calista's brother stepped inside, grinning as he scooped Nora up.

"Dad's back!" Nora exclaimed cheerfully clinging to him.

Calista froze. "What did you just say?"

Nora grinned pointing at her uncle. "Dad, He's back"

Her brother chuckled awkwardly. "She's been calling me that for ages. Don't worry, We've tried correcting her."

Relief flooded Calista as she laughed nervously. "Welcome back" she said hugging her brother.

Calista just sat down so she and her brother could finish dinner when an uneasiness crept over her. She sensed that something or someone was coming.