Chapter 8

When I looked out into the hallway to leave my room, I heard the sound of running water—and the long-awaited childish laughter. Ivan’s voice, too, was heard loud and clear. I was not even five meters from the bathroom; I could hear them as if I were right next to them. He laughed with his son, and his voice sounded animated and loving when he spoke in that language that was unknown to me. I sighed in relief as I zipped up my sweatshirt and finally left the room almost without making a sound.

I looked over the railing in the hallway, and I saw that there was a little pink bundle neatly placed inside the portable crib, in the center of the room. Little Sasha, and she was wearing the whole monkey suit I bought her! I couldn’t help but smile to myself. I figured that the girl was also wearing a clean diaper and had eaten to her heart’s content, because from my position she looked divinely asleep, with her fists close to her face and that angelic expression capable of disarming any