DAPHNEThe rest of lunch with Pasha’s family went by without a hitch. It got easier to unclench when Asya and Sofi launched into stories about all the mischief that Little Pasha used to get into.Now, I’m back at work and trying to focus on the booking calendar.Trying to forget that stomach-dropping moment when I thought my mother was about to blow everything up.I don’t like lying to the Chekhovs. It’s not like I’m blatantly lying, per se, but omitting particular facts—like, oh, I dunno, my birth name—still feels like a form of deception. Especially when, every time I try to imagine telling Pasha the truth about my name, my relationship with the family he clearly despises…Well, that spike in blood pressure isn’t good for the baby.I grabbed another smoothie on my way back to work to continue calming my frayed nerves. I don’t know why I can’t shake this feeling, even though Sofi was swift to stop shit from happening before it even started. The smoothie helps.At least, it would—if m
Last Updated : 2025-07-19 Read more