After I agree to help Mrs. Volkova, things move fast. I apply for a leave of absence from the hospital, and it’s approved just two days later. I can’t help thinking Sergei had something to do with the lightning-fast approval. The timing aligns perfectly with his mother’s discharge. Between juggling shifts, tying up loose ends at work, and coordinating with Human Resources, I haven’t had much time to sit down and truly process what I’m about to do. I’ve been keeping myself busy so I don’t spiral. Even now, rifling through my closet and deciding what to pack for my temporary home, I focus on the
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