for good measure . If Im gonna be a prisoner here for the foreseeable future , I should at least enjoy the benefits . Somehow , I dont think Matvey will mind that Im raiding his pantry . And if he does ? All the better . I offer Elias his cup . Thanks for bringing everything here , I say , sitting down across from him . God knows I need the distraction . And Im happy to provide , Elias replies . If thats all it is . If I find out youve been overworking yourself , Ill teach lil Nugget in there the Lindy Hop . Im frankly terrified . God , I missed this . I didnt even realize how much . Eliass jokes , his New Orleans accent all of it puts me at ease like nothing else . There isnt another boss in the world like Elias Turner , nor another mentor . After Grandma died , he was the one who saved me . So , Elias says , snapping me out of my reverie , those gorillas out there … I wave my hand . Pretend theyre furniture . Think theyll volunteer as mannequins ? You know , thats actually not a bad idea . Theyre always standing still anyway . I bet I could sew a whole jacket on each before theyd notice . Eliass eyes crinkle . And their boss ? he asks , his smile dimming somewhat . He treating you alright ? 05:51 O My Atonement : The Death of His Fir 29 I cradle my cup in my hands . He … He buys me dinner . He kisses my hand . He hates my guts . Yeah , I settle on . Yeah , he is . Elias squints . He doesnt miss anything , does he ? I cant lie to this man . Is this how it feels to tell your dad youre going to have a sleepover at your friend Janices and then sneak into a boys car ? I wouldnt know . My dad never cared enough to ask . But Elias is the closest thing I have to that : a father . And now , as he looks me up and down with that all seeing , all knowing gaze of his , Im starting to learn what leaving for prom feels like . Specifically , the Isnt that dress a bit short ? part . In the end , Elias doesnt call me out . All he asks is , suddenly serious , Are you safe here , April ? I think back to the wedding . To Matveys strong hand dragging me away . I think back to his words last night : No one will be allowed to hurt you . Yes , I answer , more certain this time . I dont know how I know : after all , whos more unpredictable than my baby daddy , the mob boss extraordinaire ? And yet … I am . Hell keep me safe . That clears Eliass face of all clouds . He wags a stern , wrinkled finger in my face . Hed better . We sip our tea in comfortable silence . At some point , Elias sighs . It feels like yesterday that you came to me . A scrawny , scrappy thing with a binder under her arm . You asked for my ID , I laugh , reminiscing . You couldnt believe I was eighteen . Darling , you were skin and bone , he points out . Which fair , I was . Girls who misbehave dont get to eat dinner , a cruel voice drawls from my memories . They only get to clean it up . I shake it off . I didnt think youd recognize me , but you did . Child , Elias laughs , all booming and affectionate , Im ashamed it took reading your ID to jog this old mans memory . Youre the spitting image of her . I twist my fingers against the cup . I doubt it . After all , we werent … Blood , Matveys voice echoes in my thoughts . But Elias just shakes his head . Blood isnt the only thing that binds us , he says , as if reading my mind . I can see Maia in everything you do : the way you hold a needle , the Band Aids on every other finger . He leans in , whispering mischievously , The way you scrunch up your face like a lil bunny when something doesnt match the idea in your head . He taps my nose gently as he says this last part , causing the exact 05:51 My Atonement : The Death of His Fir 29.5 % Chapter 29 scrunched up face in question . She might not have been your fathers mother , but she was your grandma in all the ways that counted . And youre her granddaughter . Youre hers , alright . Youre Maia through and through . I force myself to blink away the tears . Goddammit , Elias . Even after all these years … Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!