"Hahaha," he let out a small laugh.

"If only..." He muttered.

"If only I were strong... I would have been able to save you..."

"And protect you..." He muttered, tears dripping down from his eyes, but his facial expression didn't change a bit.

But then, suddenly, he remembered the cause of it all and looked at Arthur's dead body with an intense gaze. His one eye was also useless because of that man.

But then, he stopped that gaze as his hatred intensified, remembering his mother's killer.

"I swear..."

"I SWEAR THAT I'M GONNA KILL YOU, I'M GONNA FUCKING KILL YOUR WHOLE FAMILY, EVERYONE YOU KNOW, I FUCKING SWEAR!!" Ivan shouted, his eyes deep red, vowing to kill his mother's killer.

How it reached this point? Well, let's rewind time to the beginning, to the beginning when all the things were going in the right direction before it took a dark turn.

###

[6 years ago]

[1980/2/10]

[Russia, Siberia]

[Novosibirsk]

In the largest city of Siberia, Novosibirsk, the maternity hospital was bustling with activity. People moved in and out, their faces marked with a mix of anxiety and hope. The cause of their tension was clear—many were waiting for news of their loved ones giving birth.

Inside one of the rooms of the maternity hospital, the atmosphere was tense. The sounds of a woman's anguished cries filled the air as she labored to bring her child into the world.

"Ahhhhh!" Her cry echoed through the room, a powerful expression of the pain and effort involved in childbirth. A nurse, focused and efficient, gently cradled a baby with blonde hair in her arms. The infant's delicate features were visible even through the soft, hospital blanket wrapped around them.

"Congratulations, madam," the nurse said warmly, her voice a comforting contrast to the earlier cries. She carefully showed the newborn to the mother, whose eyes were now filled with relief and joy.

"You gave birth to a healthy child," the nurse continued, her smile genuine as she presented the baby. The mother's face softened, and she let out a deep, trembling sigh of relief.

"Ha, ha, ha... thank god," the mother managed to say between breaths. Her voice was filled with exhaustion yet tinged with happiness. "Let me hold... my precious child." As she spoke, she reached out for the baby, her hands trembling slightly from the effort and emotion of the moment. She held her baby close.

Upon hearing the mother's request, the nurse's face lit up with a warm and reassuring smile. She carefully handed the baby to the mother, taking great care to ensure the infant was secure in her arms. The nurse's gentle touch reflected her experience and attention to the delicate task.

"My child!" The mother, Irina, said with a tender, relieved tone. She leaned down and pressed a soft, loving kiss on the baby's cheek. As she lovingly stroked the baby's fine, blonde hair, a sudden commotion at the door drew her attention.

The door to the patient's room was thrown open with a burst, and a young man with blonde hair hurried inside, his breathing labored and his face glistening with sweat. His anxious eyes scanned the room until they settled on Irina and the newborn.

"Ha, ha, ha... Irina, are you alright?" the young man, Arthur, asked urgently, his voice tinged with concern as he approached the maternity bed. His distress was evident in his disheveled appearance and the way he clutched his chest, trying to catch his breath.

"H-how's the baby?" Arthur continued, his face a mix of relief and anxiety as he looked from Irina to the tiny bundle in her arms. His eyes widened as he took in the sight of the baby—blonde hair, blue eyes, and chubby cheeks—features strikingly similar to his own.

"Here, hold him, Arthur," Irina said with a bright, hopeful smile. She carefully shifted the baby into Arthur's arms. "He looks almost the same as you." Her eyes sparkled with pride as she watched Arthur take the baby, the resemblance between father and child unmistakable. Arthur gently cradled the baby, his face softening with a mixture of awe and joy as he held his newborn son for the first time.

"T-thank God, you both are safe," Arthur said, his voice trembling slightly with relief. A deep sigh of contentment escaped his lips as he gently caressed the baby's soft, blonde hair, his touch tender and filled with love.

"Have you named him yet?" Arthur asked eagerly, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. He was clearly excited to be a part of this moment and waited for Irina's response with bated breath.

"No, dear, I haven't," Irina replied, her voice warm and gentle. She looked at Arthur with a bright smile, which made him beam back at her. "I know that you have been staying up late, thinking of a name for our baby."

Arthur's face lit up with a wide, joyful smile. "Then Papa will name you, son!" he said with a tone full of excitement and pride. His eyes were filled with a mix of joy and determination as he held the baby close.

"Hm... I've been thinking a lot for the past few months about what to name him," Arthur continued, his gaze fixed on the tiny face of his son. "And I've finally decided. From now on, you'll be known as... Ivan. Ivan Petrov." His eyes sparkled with enthusiasm and affection as he spoke the name aloud, his excitement palpable.

"Dear, that's a great name," Irina said, her eyes shining with happiness. She smiled brightly, clearly delighted with the name Arthur had chosen. The atmosphere in the room was filled with a warm, shared joy.

"Haha, I know, right?" Arthur said, his chest puffed out with pride. His smile was broad as he looked at Irina, clearly pleased with the name he had chosen. "I spent months coming up with this name."

Irina laughed softly, her eyes filled with warmth and affection. "Haha, yeah, indeed," she agreed, sharing in his happiness.

"So, when will you be discharged and able to go home?" Arthur asked, his voice filled with curiosity and a touch of impatience.

"Today," Irina replied with a bright, cheerful smile. The prospect of going home and starting their new life with their son seemed to lift her spirits even higher.

###

After naming their son Ivan Petrov, Arthur decided to head home first. He was eager to celebrate the birth of his firstborn with Irina, the love of his life. Since they didn't have the means to throw a grand party due to their financial situation, he opted for a simpler celebration. Arthur bought ingredients to bake a chocolate cake, Irina's favorite.

While baking the cake, Arthur realized he was getting a bit bored. He decided to turn on the TV to pass the time. The soft hum of the oven in the background mixed with the low volume of the television as it flickered to life.

On the screen, a young woman with an average appearance sat comfortably on a chair. She was holding a microphone and facing a large table in front of her. The scene was set for what looked like an interview or a news segment. 

"Good evening, everyone," the news anchor's voice came through the TV, her tone formal and serious.

"We have breaking news regarding the tense situation between India and Russia," she continued, her expression reflecting the gravity of the situation. The screen displayed a map and various images of both countries.

"Recent developments indicate a severe deterioration in relations between the two nations, raising concerns of potential conflict," the anchor reported. The words carried a weight of urgency, adding to the tension in the room.

"As tensions escalate," she added, "it is advised that citizens exercise extreme caution and avoid traveling outside of the country for the foreseeable future."

The screen then flashed with official travel advisories and safety guidelines, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.

"Stay tuned for more updates and ensure to follow any official travel advisories and safety guidelines," the anchor said, her voice steady as she concluded the segment. "We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as they become available. Stay safe."

The broadcast then moved on to a different topic, shifting to a story about a car accident. Arthur's attention, however, remained fixed on the previous news. His expression grew serious as he stopped his hands, which had been busy mixing ingredients for the cake.

"Ah, sigh, again..." Arthur muttered to himself, his face darkening with frustration. "Why do these politicians and country leaders just stay silent and not engage in wars? Why don't they think of the consequences that we citizens suffer?" His voice was tinged with anger and a sense of helplessness, his expression turning into one of deep discontent. 

Even though the news suggested that war was a possibility, the situation seemed almost inevitable. The conflict between India and Russia had been simmering for years, and with the increasing tensions, it seemed certain that a full-scale war was on the horizon.

"We're home!" Irina's cheerful voice rang out as she closed the door behind them and walked inside.

"Arthur, we're back, where are you?" she called out, her voice echoing through the house. She continued to walk, hoping to find him quickly.

"I'm in the kitchen right now, Irina," Arthur responded from the other room. Irina made her way towards the kitchen, her footsteps quickening with anticipation.

As she entered the kitchen, Irina was met with a surprising sight. The room was adorned with decorations, some of which read "Welcome Home" and "Thank You for Birthing Our Child." The heartfelt messages were accompanied by colorful streamers and balloons, creating a festive atmosphere. Irina was so moved by the gesture that a few tears welled up in her eyes.

"Sniff, thank you, dear," she said, her voice choked with emotion as she wiped away the tears. She gently placed baby Ivan on the sofa, his small form nestled comfortably in the cushions. Arthur emerged from the kitchen and embraced her warmly, holding her tightly in a deep, affectionate hug.

"Don't mention it, Irina," Arthur said softly, his eyes locked with hers. "You're doing so much for the family. It's nothing compared to what you do for us." His gaze was full of love and appreciation, and Irina closed her eyes, leaning in as if expecting a kiss.

Just as the moment seemed to build, Ivan let out a loud cry. "Uahhh!" The sound interrupted their intimate moment, and both of them burst into laughter.

###

"Ppfftt hahahaha, what the hell are we doing in front of our child?" Irina said, covering her mouth with her hands as she laughed. Her amusement was evident, and her laughter was light and carefree.

"Yeah, hahaha," Arthur agreed, his laughter joining hers. The sound of their shared joy filled the kitchen, momentarily pushing aside the stress of the day.

Ivan's cries continued, prompting Irina to act quickly. She hurried over to the baby, lifting him gently and beginning to feed him. She unclothed her upper top, her actions practiced and tender, as she offered Ivan her milk. His cries soon subsided, replaced by contented silence.

With Ivan now peacefully feeding, the couple resumed their celebration. They enjoyed the cake Arthur had baked, savoring each bite as they drank a modest amount of alcohol in celebration of their new life as parents. The joy and exhaustion of the day caught up with them, and before they knew it, they found themselves falling onto their bed.

###

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