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Lia
“You didn’t have to come with us,” I say as we walk through the mall.
I want to buy a few things because I realized just how boring my old wardrobe is. I also want to get Jeremy a new coat in preparation for our small family vacation.
Adrian said he’d take care of it, so I have no clue where we’re going. That doesn’t stop me from being excited about our first getaway as a family, though.
It took six years, but it’s finally happening.
After learning about the scrutiny my husband is under, I want him to step away from work for a while to clear his head. He doesn’t agree, but he’ll eventually change his mind.
When I told him about wanting to go shopping, he insisted on coming too. Kolya and Boris follow us, and even though they’re keeping a short distance, we’re drawing attention wherever we go.
Jeremy seems oblivious to all of it as he trots between us, one hand in his father’s and the other in mine. It’s strange how my little angel is lively and bright despite being born in such a dark world.
And it’s that light that’s kept me going.
Adrian tilts his head to the side. “I’m not allowed to come along?”
“That’s not what I said.”
“Then what?”
I narrow my eyes at him slightly. I’m well aware he doesn’t trust me and probably thinks I’ll meet Luca as I did a week ago. But I guess, even if he started to believe me, he wouldn’t give me free rein this soon.
I puff out a breath. “Don’t you have work?”
“Not today, no.” He strokes Jeremy’s hand. “Aren’t you happy I came along, Malysh?”
“Yes, Papa!”
Adrian’s attention slides back to me. “See?”
So now it’s his turn to use Jeremy against me. It’s not that I don’t want him with us, it’s his reason for joining that sits wrong with me.
He’s keeping an eye on my every move because he doesn’t trust me.
Ever since I divulged Luca’s name, he’s been asking me all sorts of questions about him. His last name, family details, and everything in between. Surprisingly, I didn’t have any trouble answering those. However, I couldn’t tell him about the other part. The ‘I agreed to spy on you for Luca’ part.
We’re barely getting out of a sensitive phase and falling into some sort of understanding. I can’t just ruin it.
Adrian kisses and hugs me again. He doesn’t look at me like he wants to hate-fuck me, then throw me away.
And I want to hold onto what we have for as long as I can. But Yan is right—I’ll tell him all about it.
Soon.
We go into several shops and I buy some jeans and try on a few low-cut dresses that Adrian shakes his head at. When I come out of the dressing room in a short red dress with a deep décolletage, Adrian glares.
“You’re beautiful, Mommy,” Jeremy says from his position next to his father.
“Thank you, my angel. At least you have the sense to say that.” I run my hand over the soft material, glaring back at Adrian.
“You are beautiful, but you’re not going outside like that.”
“I used to be in ballet, remember? We wore shorter outfits.”
“But you’re not anymore and this is no ballet performance. You won’t be wearing a short dress.”
