{SERGIO}
I didn't sleep much that night.
Lost in thought, I watched Ivanna on the bed in the corner, the even rise and fall of her chest as she slept. A son. I hadn't lied when I said I preferred a daughter. Sons brought too much heartache, too much worry. I had done everything to mold Karlen into the man to lead my family, yet I'd failed. He didn't want it.
You have to let Karlen choose.
Two weeks ago, before I was shot, I wouldn't have cared about his feelings. He was the Sakharov heir with a duty to me, to the family, and his wishes didn't matter.
But I could no longer say this was still the case.
As I bled out on the sidewalk, I thought of those I was leaving behind, including Karlen. My good boy, who'd only argued with me once, and it had been over his lover, Paulo. He would do whatever I asked, even at the expense of his own happiness. But did I want that life for him?
