76 Bet and Game

Anya Shumilskaya:

Unfortunately, everything good has a habit of ending, and we came back home.

The kids were happy and tanned, and most importantly, full of positive and bright impressions. Honestly, I don’t even know how I’ll be able to part with them. But they have their own legal mother, whom Masha still visits sometimes, bringing food and some medication. And overall, our whole idea… is pretty questionable from a legal standpoint. You could twist it any way and drag us into administrative trouble.

Nazar wanted to help and send their mother, Natalya, to rehab for alcoholism. Masha wasn’t against it, but she was terrified they’d be taken to an orphanage. So Yartsev acted like he didn’t know where the kids were and just wanted to help. But it turned out… the mother herself doesn’t want help. She doesn’t want treatment, and honestly, it felt like she didn’t understand anything going on around her. Like it’s not just alcoholism there, but something wrong with her head too.

In a few days, the kids are supposed to start school, and we bought everything they’d need.

“Masha, I need your data,” Nazar said seriously to the girl when we got back from shopping. “I arranged a good school, my nephews go there. But we need to fill out paperwork so your certificate will be valid in the future. You said you don’t have any documents at all?”

“No,” the girl looked sad. “But I know everything anyway. I can tell you from memory.”

“Okaaay,” Nazar agreed. “I think with your info I can make new documents for you. You share the same last name, right?”

“Of course,” the blonde snorted, even a little offended. “We’re Matveevs.”

“Alright,” Yartsev wrote it down. “You remember your birth dates?”

“Are you kidding? Of course I do!” Masha snapped. “September tenth…” she paused and looked at her brother. Then continued, “That’s Luka’s birthday. And December fourteenth is mine.”

“Oh, so the kid’s birthday is coming up soon!” I smiled and ruffled the boy’s curly hair. He grinned happily, sneaking glances at his sister.

“Maybe that’s enough interrogation?” the blonde muttered irritably after we got their birth years and some other personal info.

“Alright,” Nazar agreed. “How about visiting my brother? Kirill invited us…”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I said uncertainly, looking at the brunette. “And how are you going to explain the crowd we come with?”

“Oh, they’ll just be happy I finally settled down,” Yartsev waved it off.

“But you didn’t settle down!” I snapped, glaring at him. “Don’t hang medals on yourself too early! Maybe you can pass me off as some kind of girlfriend, but what are you going to say about the kids?! We’re not lying to anyone anymore! This is just a bet and a game!”

I saw the kids’ eyes dim instantly.

Masha’s face became unreadable, cold, distant. And Luka…

Damn you, Shade! The boy lowered his eyes, his shoulders slumped, and my soul twisted from the sight. It hurt so much for them. Everything sounded awful. But that’s our truth.

Nazar shot me a reproachful look with his green eyes. I hate myself right now. And him too. And this whole situation. And the fact that he’s clinging to me like a damn claw. Isn’t he surrounded by enough girls… normal ones?!

“Well, I mean…” I started to stammer.

“It is what it is,” Masha spat coldly. “We don’t build fake illusions. Right, Luka?” she turned to her brother firmly, raising her voice slightly.

“Yeah,” the boy whispered quietly, still staring at his hands.

“We’ll be in the room,” Masha said, getting up and pulling her brother along. He followed silently.