19 Avoiding It Won’t Work

Why is he staring like that?! As if I underpaid him and still owe him! Everything’s by the price list, even more.

And anyway! I’m the one who should be glaring with outrage! He literally got me pregnant, the specialist… damn it! With two kids, mind you!

His eyes scanned me, still burning with anger. And a thought crossed my mind—what if he knows about the kids? That’s why he’s angry. Angry that I gave birth, or angry that I didn’t tell him… Maybe I should tell him…

But what’s the point? Do we even need a weekend dad who earns with his… body?

I can already see it: in kindergarten or school, the kids get asked, “What does your dad do?” and they shyly reply, “Uh, he’s, like… here and there. Messing around. Trying to get somewhere.” Or even worse, they have to write an essay on “When I grow up, I want to be like my dad!” or “My dad is my role model in life.” And what about the school open house, where parents are invited to talk about their professions?!

“Vicky, are you okay?” Danil asked with concern, noticing how I practically drowned in my awful thoughts and was gripping his hand tightly. “You’ve gone pale.”

“Ah… it’s fine,” I finally turned my gaze to the brunette and regained the ability to speak and breathe. However, when I looked back toward the entrance, where the brunette and the other girl had been, they were gone. “My legs are just a little tired, that’s all,” I said nervously, forcing a smile.

“Damn, you probably aren’t used to this,” my friend said, frowning understandingly. “We can step out onto the terrace—there are some small sofas there, you can rest.”

“Just don’t leave me alone!” I gripped his hand even tighter, and he looked surprised. I looked at him with such a pleading expression, as if the devil himself might appear behind me.

“Alright,” the brunette said warmly, tucking a lock of my hair behind my ear and gently running his fingers across my cheek. “I won’t leave. And besides, Baleshina isn’t here yet.”

We stepped outside to the lounge area, taking my coat with us, but the sofas were occupied by a small group of people. Thinking quickly, Danil nudged me toward the external staircase that led to the second floor, where there were also wide terraces—but completely empty. The door to the indoor area on the upper floor was open, so we could return to the event later through the house. Along the railing, there were a few more sofas, and from here, you could clearly see the main entrance as well as everything happening outside below.

“Here, sit down,” Danil said, helping me settle onto the seat. I plopped down, took off my shoes, and sighed in relief, stretching my long-suffering toes. “Do you want me to get you some juice?”

“No, thanks,” I declined, not wanting to distract him from his task. “I’ll just give my legs a little freedom and then be back in action.”

“Rest as long as you need,” the brunette said with a slight smile. I noticed his gaze drop down from the balcony. “Damn, there’s Baleshina…”

“Dan, go to her,” I said, feeling guilty about being fussed over like fragile glass when he had a mission. “I’ll just sit here.”

“But I promised I wouldn’t leave you.”

“And I’m taking that promise back,” I said, grabbing the brunette’s hand and looking him seriously in the eyes. “Actually… we’re here for this very reason. I’ll stay here by myself.”

“Are you sure?” my friend asked, uncertain.

“What could happen to me?” I laughed, though it was a bit unnerving to be alone in this unfamiliar place. “I’ll be waiting for you here.”

“Alright then, Vicky, thanks,” Danil said, leaning in to steal a quick kiss on my lips. I froze, caught completely off guard, and didn’t respond at all, not expecting such a move.

Winking at me, Danil quickly went down the stairs to the main entrance and disappeared into the room. I hoped he would manage to establish a connection with that woman.

I looked over the beautiful grounds from the balcony and then heard a voice that made the hairs on my body stand on end:

“So her name is Vicky.”

I instantly turned and saw the green-eyed brunette standing by the open door on the second floor, shoulder leaning against the frame. His piercing gaze was fixed on me. My chest felt tight, my heart seeking to escape from my ribs. And once again, that all-consuming panic washed over me, making it hard to breathe.