In the brothers' house, we spend time until September. Under the protection of Vlad's mercenaries and constant oversight from the Saint and the Good. Every evening, either one or the other arrives, brings food, dines on the culinary masterpieces my mom and I make, and then returns to the city. Sometimes Vlad stays overnight. We sleep together in one bedroom, as a husband and wife should, but without any intimacy. The Saint does not insist, does not hint, and I… I am afraid to make the first move. The understanding that this is not forever holds me back, and soon, once we send mom away, everything will come to an end. Especially since Vlad is looking for ways to get them out of the country. Unfortunately, he has not found any options yet, except to obtain permission from the Wild or to get a waiver of parental rights. Of course, there are options involving bribery, but he is against that. He wants everything to be as transparent as possible, so that later no claims can be made.
Before the start of classes at the Academy of Arts, both brothers arrive. Vlad brings Timur new footballs, uniforms, and toys. While the little brother excitedly unpacks an entire box of gifts, Timur talks to Mom. The Saint leads me outside.
We walk into the gazebo and sit inside. He lights a cigarette, slowly examines me, and says:
— We will take Mom and Timur to another city. As long as the Wild acts like a Neanderthal, there are no other alternatives.
— Did you talk to him? — I quietly ask.
I tuck my short hair behind my ears, but the strands keep slipping out and tickling my face. For a while, the Saint is silent, observing. His gaze pierces through me, but I hold my ground quite dignifiedly. At least it seems so. I do not shy away from his eyes, do not wring my hands, do not look at anything else. I look at him in return. An uncertain, slight smile touches my lips.
— I did, — he replies slowly.
The pause stretches. I expect him to continue, to explain, but as always, he leaves room for imagination. Perhaps, once again decides that I will find out later. But I am tired of waiting. I want to know. I deserve it.
— Will you tell me more?
— Do you really want me to convey all the details of our conversation?
— Yes.
Vlad smirks:
— I doubt you will be surprised. You know what he is like, Yuliana. The Wild did not like meeting his real son-in-law and the main one above him, simultaneously in work. He did not like that we deceived him and kidnapped the family that he "loves and cherishes so much." He did not like that his own daughter became "a whore for two brothers." He cursed. Nothing interesting.
— Thank you, — I say calmly. I am not surprised that in the eyes of the Wild, I am a whore. — Will you tell me why this started? I know that the reason is in Milan.
His blue eyes narrow. His gaze is indifferent, and I see he does not like this question. He does not want to answer it.
— Where from? — he snaps dryly.
— It’s easy to draw parallels after meeting your sister. When we went with Timur to conclude a marriage contract, it was a condition that the Wild would stop. I did not understand what exactly at that time. Later, when he saw me with Mom in the house, he screamed that all this happened after he agreed not to touch "their girl." I doubt that this is your common… — I clear my throat, — lover. Therefore, I conclude that it is your sister. The only thing I want to know is what he did to her? Did it provoke a desire for revenge, I assume something serious?
Vlad hums. The cigarette butt lies in the ashtray in the middle of the table.
— And isn't Timur the reason for these conclusions?
— No, — I try to keep my voice steady.
Vlad raises his eyebrow mockingly, snorts, and smiles at the corner of his lips:
— My dear Timid Doe, when you lie, you have to believe it.
— But I don’t… — I stammer.
— Your eyes give away the fear of being caught, — he continues.
— I asked about your childhood, and that's all. — I sigh.
— I'll pretend that your conversation touched only on the topic of childhood.
— Will you tell? — I ask cautiously. — What was the reason for the revenge against the Wild? What did he do to your sister?
— He insulted her, — he says briefly. — It affected her life, so I have no right to tell. The situation concerns our family, Yuliana.
I do not know what he meant, but these words wound me once again. “Our family…” Of course, I do not belong to this circle. I am just a fictitious wife, thanks to whom the Wild lost power.
— Where is he now? What is he doing, planning? — I change the subject. My voice unexpectedly sounds cold even to me.
Vlad immediately senses the change. His eyes spark with interest and even satisfaction. He tilts his head to the side and looks into my eyes with a smile.
— He rages most of the time. He screamed for revenge. He threw in the faces of all shareholders that they are sellout scum, because they have nothing against me. — he responds firmly. — Personally, he wished me to burn in hell and promised that his wife and son must return, otherwise…
— Otherwise? — I hold my breath. I don't even notice it at first.
— He will do everything to turn our lives into a horror movie, — he states leisurely.
— Will he have enough strength?
The Saint becomes serious.
— I think he will act as carefully as possible. Especially when it concerns "AMB". But with your mom and brother, everything is different. She is his legal wife. As an option, Sophia can file for divorce; it’s a lengthy process, but I’m willing to participate in this farce. I promised, a deal is a deal. Your family's freedom is not achievable by other means.
— You want everything to be legal?
— I want it to be as bloodless for you as possible. Getting them abroad seems simple at first glance, even privately, but it will give a reason to defeat the Wild in the future. And I still lean towards a legal solution, so that there are no legal loopholes later. Timur had a conversation with a lawyer; he is now relaying what he learned to her. It is Sophia who must choose which path we will take.
I nod. I cover my face with my hands. I secretly exhale. It feels selfish to feel what I feel now, but I cannot hide the relief in my soul. I am glad that my mom's freedom postpones his disappearance from life. If everything were resolved quickly, I would be left without him. And I… I do not want to be without him. I know, I remember — I need to prepare bandages and plan life. Just… making a decision is one thing, and following it is something entirely different.