AllFreeNovel
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I want to disappear.
When Ruslan parks, I stare up at the window of my apartment as a new sense of dread settles in. It’s a Saturday, which means the kids will be at home all day.
I can’t do this…
“Emma, are you okay?”
“Fine,” I mumble without looking at him.
He doesn’t try to touch me and for that, I’m grateful. I’m tired of being a charity case. And he’s already done enough.
First, it was clearing my debt. Then it was giving me a lifeline in the form of the contract. After that came taking care of the kids, putting up with my family drama, fixing the car, dealing with Ben… The list goes on and on.
“Emma.”
I clear my throat. “I should go in.”
He’s already at my door by the time I manage to get it open. He helps me down from the car and supports my weight all the way up to the apartment, no matter how many times I insist that I’m fine, that I can do it myself, that he doesn’t have to come with me.
When we get closer, I can hear the girls’ soft chatter, Phoebe’s loud laugh. They’re all in the living room.
Might as well get it over with.
The moment we walk inside, everyone freezes. Phoebe unfolds to her feet slowly, her eyes focused on my bruises. “Em? What happened?”
I manage to force a smile for the kids’ sake. “I just had a little accident last night. Slipped and fell down the stairs.” Josh sidles closer to me while the girls just gawk at the bandage on my head. “I’m fine, though. Totally fine.”
God, I sound fake.
Phoebe’s gaze veers from me to Ruslan but she doesn’t say anything. Caroline drags her feet a little closer. “Does it hurt, Auntie Em?”
Everything hurts.
“No, sweetheart,” I say cheerily. “I just need some rest. That’s all.”
“I know what will make you feel better, Aunt Em!” Reagan says enthusiastically. “A hug!”
She wraps her arms around my waist and squeezes tight. Caroline does the same and Josh puts his hand against my arm. I can feel the tears well up without warning.Oh, God.Another minute and I’m going to be bawling all over all the children.
Keep it together, Emma. Keep it the fuck toge—
“Kids.” Ruslan’s doing a much better job than I am of pretending everything’s alright. “Your aunt needs some peace and quiet right now. How about I take you guys to the park for a couple of hours? Maybe we can get lunch afterwards.”
“And ice cream?!” Reagan asks excitedly.
Ruslan spreads his hands wide like the answer is obvious. “What would the weekend be without ice cream?”
With the promise of sweets on the horizon, the girls release me and run to get their shoes on. I swallow my tears and plant a kiss on Josh’s head to stop him staring at me. He’s not as easily distracted as his sisters.
“I’m okay,” I whisper to him. “Have fun with Ruslan.”
When he goes to grab his shoes, I meet Ruslan’s eyes for perhaps the first time all morning. “Thank you,” I mouth to him.
He doesn’t say a word. Just grazes my cheek with the back of his hand. It’s the softest of touches and it only lasts a moment. Fleeting enough that, once he and the kids have waved goodbye and walked out of the apartment, I wonder if I imagined the whole thing.
“Emma…” Phoebe’s hand strokes my back.
I turn around, throw my arms around her, and start sobbing hysterically. She doesn’t say a word. She just lets me cry. She holds onto me the entire time as I completely fall apart and she does the kindness of simply letting me.
