Chapter 26

Valerian took a step closer while his silver-grey eyes gleamed with amusement as he extended a hand toward her. “I’m Valerian Vasiliev, and this little troublemaker is my nephew, Alexei Dimitriv.” His tone was smooth with a warm expression on his face, but there was something in the way he carried himself that made Noelle hesitate.

She glanced at his outstretched hand but made no move to shake it. Her grip tightened around the strap of her purse instead.

“Are you sure... he’s your nephew and not your son?” she asked, her brows slightly furrowed. She had to clarify—she could’ve sworn she misheard earlier.

Valerian let out a low chuckle. It was a deep, rich sound that sent chills down her spine. With an affectionate smirk, he rested a hand on top of Alexei’s head, ruffling the boy’s soft curls. “I get that a lot,” he admitted. “We do share quite the resemblance, don’t we?”

Alexei grinned proudly, puffing out his chest.

“But no,” Valerian continued as his