Is this destiny?

Maksim turned his gaze to Sarah and slowly lifted his arms in the air in surrender, the knife's handle was clutched in Maksim's right hand.

"This is yours.", Maksim told Sarah and she noticed he is holding onto the tactical army knife she took away from him a few evenings ago. Sarah wondered if she had it with her on the previous day when she was captured by the Voronins or if she left it in her room.

Sarah stood up and nodded at Hong, silently telling him to let go of Maksim.

"It's OK.", Sarah said while patting Kitty's head, and Aaron, Noah, and Michael moved a bit on the side, but not enough to completely open the path between Maksim and Sarah.

Maksim flipped the knife so that the handle faces Sarah. The knife was in its black sheath that looked like it's a mix of metal and plastic, and it had engraved some design. It's definitely custom made.

Sarah met Maksim's gaze. "Are you sure you want to give that to me?"

"It was given to me by my father, but now it is yours.", Maksim responded. "When they caught you, they went through your things in the room and I took this to keep until I get a chance to return it to you. I hope you will wear it tomorrow."

Sarah was surprised that Simeon gifted this to Maksim. "Won't your father know that you are working with me?"

Maksim smirked defiantly. "Let him."

Sarah extended her hand and accepted the knife which Maksim placed in her palm slowly under the keen gazes of four men and a black leopard who stood around him and Sarah.

"You don't like your father.", Sarah voiced her thoughts while taking her seat back on the sofa.

Maksim didn't deny it. "After what he put me through, I would be stupid to have any attachment left for him. I look forward to seeing him down on his knees, and if he knows that I was part of him going down, it will only make the whole thing sweeter."

"Don't you want to get back at him personally?", Sarah asked Maksim because Maksim's words were heavy and full of bitterness.

Maksim pressed his lips into a line. "I want him away from me. If I don't see him ever again, I won't miss him."

Sarah wondered, what did Simeon do to make his own son hate him so much? What happened to his mother? But she didn't want to talk about Maksim and his dysfunctional family. Somehow, she knew that under that ruthless and smug façade Maksim carries, there is a little boy crying for a comforting hug and gentle words that everything will be alright and that he is enough.

In a way, it explained his infatuation with Sarah because he saw her as a strong woman with a hint of madness who can protect herself and her loved ones, and maybe even him in the process.

Maksim reminded Sarah of Vasily who was a kind man, yet he became who he was because of the family he grew up in. It was making her emotional and she didn't want to go there. It was probably the pregnancy hormones, Sarah told herself.

Sarah put the knife in the pocket on the side of her left thigh. "Uhm… when this is over, I hope that you can spend some time with Gedeon, regardless if you decide to stay or leave. Your inputs can help him solidify his position and avoid assassination attempts." She also hoped that Maksim and Hong can bond, and Maksim can see that not everyone is evil and scheming, but she didn't say that at loud. Maybe, just maybe, Maksim can feel the warmth of the family from Hong who seems to be hard and unapproachable, but Sarah knows that Hong has a soft heart.

Maksim glanced at Hong. "That is doable, as long as he does not go after my neck."

Sarah smiled awkwardly. "I hope you can forget about that. Things are fresh and it will take time to develop trust."

Maksim was surprised. That was a word he didn't hear in a while. "Trust?"

Sarah waved her hand, indicating to Maksim that they will not talk about it. "Let's take it one step at a time. I will see you tomorrow, Maksim. Try to get rest and stay out of trouble until then."

Maksim saw Sarah walk away and he wanted to keep her by his side longer. Even if it's just for a minute.

"Divna?"

Sarah's steps paused and she turned to him with a questioning gaze.

Maksim gestured toward Hong. "You mentioned a DNA test that can prove his identity. You can use my blood for that."

Sarah thought of how that will be beneficial for their plan.

Tomorrow, unless Simeon openly acknowledges Hong as Gedeon Voronin, no matter what others say, the Elders and seniors will want proof of Hong's identity and if he has the proof, it can sway them. Sarah does not expect them to blindly follow Hong, but if they refrain from attacking Hong, that would be enough.

Sarah glanced at Aaron. "Can you find something in the kitchen for us to collect blood?"

Aaron gave a small nod and swiftly left the room.

A minute later, Aaron returned with a container that can be sealed and a knife.

Maksim offered his hand, palm up and Noah cut him gladly, probably deeper than necessary. Lack of reaction from Maksim told everyone that Maksim is used to pain.

They collected some blood into the container, and Maksim was surprised when Sarah approached him.

"Let me treat your wound…", she said as she took his hand into hers.

Sarah applied medicinal cream on Maksim's palm and then she wrapped Maksim's hand with gauze.

Maksim watched Sarah work in silence, and no one spoke a word.

"Thank you for volunteering", Sarah said when she was done with first aid.

Maksim smirked. "I did something for you, don't you think you should do something for me?"

Sarah rolled her eyes, she had a feeling this is coming. Maksim's mood swings are unexpected yet expected at the same time. As soon as Maksim feels that he has an advantage, he shows his snobby self.

"Did I force you?"

Maksim tilted his head and one corner of his lips lifted up playfully. "No, but you mentioned trust which means balance."

"The Goddess personally tended to your wound. Be grateful.", Noah said through his teeth, unable to hide his irritation. If he knew that Sarah would give him first aid, he would cut himself right away.

Maksim felt that he heard something good. "Goddess?"

Sarah straightened her back and thought for a second. "Alright. To keep the balance, I will let you know something that even your father does not know. How about that?"

Maksim tilted his head. "I need to hear it before I confirm if it's worth it."

"Your informant said that I am a Lebedev and he is not wrong, but that is only the tip of an iceberg." Sarah gave a small nod to Michael, Aaron, and Noah, and all four of them put their masks on their faces.

Hong was standing on the side and he shook his head while wondering if all this theatrical behavior is necessary. Why are they still here? And why did they cut Maksim's hand? What happened with collecting a few strands of hair? That should be enough for a DNA test.

Maksim looked at Sarah whose upper half of her face was covered with a mask and his eyebrow twitched when her eyes turned red. Suddenly, Maksim connected the clues: black uniforms, a black leopard, masks, and red eyes.

"The Army of Chaos…", Maksim murmured to what Sarah's smile widened.

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