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ILARION
Mila and Dima are both in the foyer when Taylor and I enter.
“Where’s my father?” Taylor asks immediately, rushing toward Mila.
“He’s in the medical wing with Celine,” she replies. “He’s a little worse for the wear, but otherwise, he’s doing good.”
Taylor’s back goes rigid. “They hurt him?”
“He’s okay, Taylor,” Mila reassures in a comforting tone that I haven’t often heard from her. “Just focus on that, okay? He’s a tough man. The only thing he wanted to know is if you and Celine were safe.”
Taylor frowns. “Did he ask about Mom ?”
Mila sighs. “Of course he did.”
“Did you tell him?”
“He was…not in the greatest state of mind when we found him,” she admits. “So no, I didn’t tell him about Fiona. I figured you might want to.”
“And Celine?”
“She’s still groggy and disoriented from all the drugs. She hasn’t really asked much of anything.”
Despite herself, Taylor glances over at me. Then she seems to remember the fact that she currently hates my guts, because she turns away almost as fast. “What does Dr. Baranov say? Is she expected to recover?”
“Based on his initial tests, she’ll be okay,” Mila assures her. “She’s going to need a little physical therapy where her limbs are concerned. Just to regain her strength. But she’s going to be just fine.”
Taylor's breaths come out heavy and labored. One after another, faster and faster, like a train rushing down the tracks with its brakes cut.
“Hey,” Mila interrupts, grabbing her by the shoulders and giving her a shake. “You need to calm down.”
“I…I have to tell them… I have to…”
“Do you want me to come with you?” asks Mila.
“No!” Taylor shakes her head, though she sounds uncertain. “No. I’ll… I have to do it myself.”
She gives Dima a passing nod and goes upstairs, taking the steps two at a time. The moment she disappears through the passageway, Mila and Dima turn to me.
“What the hell happened between the two of you?” Mila blurts. “You might as well have walked in with your fists raised. I’m guessing Celine’s miraculous recovery didn’t feel so miraculous?”
“Taylor is relieved her sister’s okay.” I say it as diplomatically as I can and try to avoid the rest, but I can’t stop my jaw from clenching. It’s been doing that since our last leg home.
Dima arches a brow. “But…?”
I don’t respond. I don’t know where to even begin to explain the insanity. The shitshow I’m buried neck-deep in.
Mila’s eyes go wide. “Ilarion—”
“I was willing to break off the engagement and come clean with Celine.” Sticking to the facts is easier than voicing the pain. “She’s not.”
“Shit,” Dima hisses under his breath. “How’s she going to explain the baby?”
“Some random one-night-stand.” I want to punch a wall just saying that out loud. “All I get to be is an uncle and a goddamn mysterious, nameless, one-night-stand.”
“This is ridiculous,” Mila spits. “It’s a waste of three people’s lives.”
“You know how Taylor can be.” I shrug, even as I’m boiling inside. “She’s fucking stubborn.”
