Page 89 of Tangled Roses
“I heard you were here, which has saved me a trip because I was planning on introducing myself when I heard of your mother’s unfortunate death.”
I still say nothing and the way he is staring at me is freaking me out.
“May I have a minute alone with Gabrielle?” He addresses Titus and I notice Arman’s face turn to thunder as his brother nods. “Of course.”
Arman shakes his head, but a firm look from his brother causes him to stand and say. “I’ll be outside.”
Boris appears amused as they leave and as the door closes, I play with my fingers nervously.
He wastes no time with pleasantries. “I need your help, Gabrielle.”
I wasn’t expecting that and say curiously, “How can I help you?”
He sighs deeply and I’m shocked when the dark gleam in his eye is replaced by a softer one.
“I know you don’t owe me anything. I have never been there for you and now I’m asking for your help.”
“Why?”
“Because you are my last chance.”
“Please, Mr. Fedorov, I am a little lost right now. You are talking in riddles.”
He surprises me by reaching for my trembling hands and whispering, “I am your father.”
“I guessed as much.”
I hang my head and attempt to sort my emotion that is all over the place.
“I met your mother at a party in Switzerland. We had a, what you may call, a one-night stand. It happened and wasn’t unusual.”
I squeeze my eyes tightly shut and attempt to get my heart rate under control as he says huskily, “Marsha called me a few weeks later. She was pregnant and demanded money.”
Can this get any worse?
“I’m ashamed to admit I gave her money for an abortion. I was young and ambitious and had my sights set on marrying into power. I won’t apologize for that because your mother wasn’t the kind of woman I would be proud to call my wife.”
“You got that right.” I can’t resist snapping and then add cruelly, “Why should I help you? You never wanted me and neither did she. I owe you nothing.”
“You are right to be angry.”
I’m shocked by the tremor in his voice and stare up at him.
His eyes are awash with tears, which surprises me and he whispers, “I’m dying.”
For a moment, I say nothing and allow his words to take root in my heart. The father I never knew is telling me he’s about to die and needs my help.
He sighs deeply. “I am telling you this because I owe you an explanation, but I urge you to keep it to yourself. I am a powerful government figure and it would cause terrible unrest in my country if they believed I was weakened in any way.”
“I don’t see how I can help.”
“I hate asking you this. It seems so cruel, but I’m in desperate need of bone marrow and the best match is from a family member.”
I have no words. Part of me wants to scream at him to go to hell and the other part is curious about the man who fathered me. In this room is the only person alive who is related to me and, far from being angry at what happened, I am incredibly moved by the situation.
The seconds tick silently between us as I consider his request and the more I stare at him, the more I see myself in him. He may be a feared leader, but he appears human and part of me is interested in learning more about him.
He interrupts the silence and says softly, “If I apologize for my reaction now, it will appear disingenuous because I am here asking for your help. I won’t pretend I wasn’t angry when I discovered Marsha had gone ahead with the pregnancy, but as the years went by, I thought of you often. I began to see you as a person. There was part of me living and breathing in a world I inhabit. Circumstances dictated I keep my distance and yet I never stopped thinking about you. I rarely travel out of Russia and certainly never saw Marsha again, but when this, well, circumstance happened and the doctors informed me my best chance was a family member, I realized how cruel fate could be. In attempting to deny you life, you have been given the same choice and I will completely understand if you decline my offer. You would have a valid reason and I would walk away. I deserve it and would probably do the same in your position. The only thing that is good about this is that I got to meet you before I die.”