Is this destiny?

~ Los Angeles, the LA Medical Center ~

Friday

The day of Vasily's surgery arrived…

Sarah was in the waiting lounge in the surgery wing of the LA Medical Center with Stella who flew from Eastern Europe in order to be here. Stella is one of the few selected people from the Lebedev family who are aware of Vasily's condition.

Edward also came to the United States, but he used this chance to spend a few days in their 'real home' in Seattle, how he calls it. The truth is that he wanted to upgrade his secret room which he used as SP3CT3R. After so much time at the base of the Lebedevs, technology advanced, so his hi-tech spot is not so hi anymore. Also, his presence there won't help Vasily, while Stella will get more time with their daughters and grandkids.

Stella said that she will join him as soon as she hears that Vasily's condition is stable, and if he finishes his work before that, then he will join her in Los Angeles.

They were torn about spending time with their grandkids and doing other things, but considering that little ones spent more than a month at the base of the Lebedevs with them over summer, Stella and Edward decided to prioritize other things. For now. 

They reserved the last two days of their stay in the United States for their grandchildren. 

Aiden was at the main base of the Army of Chaos, making sure that everything is ready for them to handle if Rance or Albert make any moves.

Sarah was grateful that Aiden is dealing with all those issues, so that she can focus on the situation with Vasily.

Last night, Rance's and Albert's villas were completely emptied, and they are clueless about who did it.

Sarah watched the surveillance videos and she was pleased that her instructions were followed. Rance and Albert woke up in completely empty house. They took valuables, furniture, carpets, appliances (refrigerators included), garages were emptied... everything was gone other than the beds where people slept on.

Sarah and Aiden had a kick that morning seeing baffled expressions of Albert, Rance, and their staff as they walked through the properties while trying to comprehend what happened. In the end, they called the police and spent most of their day filling reports.

Jarred contacted Sarah and told her that Rance and Albert requested an emergency meeting with the Council members for later that evening.

Sarah told Jarred to convey to the Council that she expects paperwork ready and that she will meet with them on Saturday (tomorrow) to collect it personally.

She expected that this urgent meeting Rance and Albert asked for will have on the agenda pointing fingers and that the duo will use this chance to sway more members of the Council to act against her.

Albert and Rance completed their preparations to act against Sarah and the Army of Chaos, but just as Sarah and Aiden suspected, they were ruffled by the attacks on their homes. Even without any evidence that Sarah is behind the attacks on their villas, Albert and Rance probably have their suspicions based on the timing.

Sarah knew that if Albert and Rance yield, it will be only temporary, but she wanted to get at least a few more days so that they can come up with more options to handle this crisis, and as a bonus, she can focus on Vasily.

If Vasily's condition turns to worse and he perishes while she is busy with the Council, she will never forgive herself.

Sarah knew that Vasily was always there for her and she already failed him too many times. This time, she was determined to stay by his side until the end.

Back to the present...

In the lounge of the LA Medical Center are only Sarah and Stella.

Oni and Nala usually accompany Sarah, but now they are away on missions, and Sarah decided to leave other kids to do their thing. After all, they are in the LA Medical Center and members of the White family and the Army of Chaos are securing the area.

Imani and Jamari are in the operating room together with Emma and Liz's assistants. They are all assisting Liz and JoAnna with this surgery.

"You look absentminded. Is everything OK?", Stella asked while giving Sarah a cup of tea.

"There are many things going on.", Sarah responded. "But we got it under control."

Stella frowned a bit. Sarah's expression didn't match her words. "Is your health OK? How about the baby?"

"We are fine, mom.", Sarah assured her.

Stella observed Sarah's face. "Are you getting enough sleep? You know that you can talk to me, right?"

Sarah looked at Stella and smiled helplessly. Mother's intuition is never wrong.

There was one thing she wanted to talk about with Stella, and considering that it was only the two of them in the lounge, this was a great opportunity.

Sarah rummaged through her backpack and pulled a palm-sized jewelry box. "You gave me this…"

"I did.", Stella confirmed while looking at the kolovrat-shaped medallion with a sapphire in the middle that was cut in the shape of a swan.

"You said that it belonged to your grandmother and that I should use it when times get tough. Is there anything else you can add to information related to this medallion?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Can you just answer me?", Sarah asked impatiently.

"I told you what I know."

Sarah frowned. "Really? There must be more."

"I wish there is.", Stella said with her arms extending toward Sarah, palms up, to indicate her hands are empty. "To be honest, I'm not sure if it belonged to my grandmother. After my parents passed, I went to sort their things and I found the medallion. It was kept in a hidden compartment in my mother's study together with some other things that belonged to my grandmother, so I assumed that belonged to her as well."

Sarah blinked while processing Stella's words. 

"Why did you say that I can use it when the times get tough?"

Stella pointed at the medallion. "Kolovrat. Swan. It obviously represents our family. I wanted you to know that I'm on your side and you can come to me if you need anything. I re-joined the family, and I would use my resources to help you."

Sarah's mouth opened and closed a few times, and she was unsure what to say. She thought that there will be some story related to the medallion and not only that Stella found it and the rest are assumptions. Was Stella concealing information? It didn't look like it.

"Do you know about the Council?", Sarah asked after some time.

"Council of what?"

Sarah observed Stella's face filled with curiosity, and readings on Eve-lens confirmed to Sarah that Stella was not lying. Sarah exhaled in relief, knowing that her mother was not part of whatever the Council is up to.

"I will take that as a 'no'.", Sarah said, her voice barely a whisper.

"Did you get yourself in another trouble?", Stella guessed.

Sarah wanted to deny it, but her mother knows her well. Now that she mentioned the medallion and the Council, and confirmed that Stella is not involved with the Council, Sarah decided to speak up. "Trouble found me."

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