53 Anxiety

"Vicky, I know you want to hide in your room and the kids’ room as long as possible, but in an hour we’re leaving,” I hear Kirill’s mocking voice outside the door since early morning. “If you’re not ready by then, we’ll go as is.”

Yes, I practically didn’t leave the room all day yesterday to avoid running into Kirill, even though he went to work. I felt terribly ashamed and awkward about what happened between us in the car. How I moaned, begged for more, and shouted that I was his.

It’s incomprehensible! And how am I supposed to keep my distance from him when he can, at any moment he wants, turn me into a puppet with his bold hands?

As if it wasn’t enough that I’m trying to avoid my fiancé, we’re also going to meet my parents! And it’s not just my family meeting Kirill, but also Nazar included! Fortunately, Mr. Yartsev couldn’t come; he said he would meet my family at the wedding.

But fate thinks that’s not enough for me. Since yesterday, Egor refused to nurse, and today, Andry followed his example. Apparently, it’s really time to wean them, but that doesn’t make my breasts feel any better.

After packing my things and the kids’ things, Valentina and I were already waiting in the kids’ room when Kirill and Nazar came for us. They took our bags, and we went outside to the cars for loading.

The kids were placed in two child car seats installed in Kirill’s car, I sat in the front seat, and Kirill was driving. Valentina had to go in Nazar’s car, and on top of that, a car with security was following us.

“Is that really necessary?” I nod toward the security, and Kirill smiles.

“Usually, I don’t often travel with security, but someone needs to keep an eye on you.”

“And in our bedroom too?” The words slipped out before I could stop myself, and I immediately regretted them, blushing.

“I like that you care about the privacy of our family life, but in the bedroom, I can handle you on my own,” the mockery in his voice made me furious.

“Well, in the library, handling me didn’t exactly go so well…” I reminded him, by the way.

“In that library, I learned an important lesson—that with you, anything can happen. So there won’t be any more slip-ups on my part.”

We got onto the highway, and Nazar’s car overtook ours. There weren’t many cars, but I noticed that Kirill’s brother was behaving strangely on the road.

“What is he doing?” I didn’t understand.

“He wants us to race him,” Kirill explained, and I went pale. “We often do this with him.”

“Kirill, I hope you realize the seriousness of having your small children in the car!” I was simply horrified at the idea that we were about to race at crazy speeds.

“Of course I understand,” the man looked at me, almost offended. “No matter what our relationship is like, your safety is very important to me. We’ll race sometime, just the two of us, without the kids,” my fiancé stunned me, laughing. “After those races, sex is just insane, fueled by adrenaline.”

“Thanks, I’ll pass,” I muttered, and Kirill deliberately yawned.

“Boring.”

I felt uncomfortable and hurt. What was so wrong about thinking with my head, making sure my children wouldn’t be left without a mother at such an early age?

“When you become a parent, you stop thinking only about yourself,” I whispered, staring out the window. “Sometimes, you have to give up foolish and reckless actions that could have fatal consequences.”

“I’m saying—BO-OR-ING!”

“If it’s so boring to you, then let’s skip the marriage altogether?” I snapped. “I’m not dragging anyone to the registry office by force!”

“You can skip the marriage, but you know the conditions,” my fiancé said coldly, and I felt nauseous from everything happening in my life.

“Alright, don’t stress. Better think about how we’ll meet your parents. Call them and let them know. We can go to them or meet at a restaurant.”

“No. It’s better to invite them to my place and have dinner there,” I thought aloud. “I don’t want strangers seeing my father polishing your face.”

So that’s what we decided. I called my mother and invited them over for dinner, saying I wouldn’t be alone and wanted to introduce them to someone.