A man sees me off to class, and he himself, as he says, is heading to the "AMB." There, it turns out, his brother has been waiting for him all morning. And although it's not polite, it's very, very nice to know that Vlad put aside his affairs to spend time with me.
I am happy that he admitted his feelings to himself. And to me. Happy that he acknowledged his own feelings, even if he doesn't call them love. Let this spoil his future plans, but in a way I am even thankful to Katrin for sending that message. If it weren't for that, who knows how long it would have been until we had seen each other… And would St. have confessed anything later if he had arrived as I asked — to talk about the situation with mom and the fulfillment of the agreement?
So I show up to class in a good mood. The celebration of All Saints' Day can be called a success.
Throughout the day, Katrin pretends that I don't exist. It feels like I was the one trying to seduce her husband, not the other way around. But if she hoped that by doing this she was punishing me or causing me any discomfort, she is terribly mistaken — I couldn't care less. I've gotten used to being alone my whole life. I am used to being among people, at first glance, but remaining lonely. That's life for children of wealthy parents, unfortunately. Not all, of course. Because not all parents are terrible. But my dad is like that…
The rest of my classmates don't avoid me, so by the end of the classes, Katrin understands that her punishment didn't work. I didn't become an outsider because of her behavior. Yes, there are whispers and questions among the students, since we used to sit together even. But I don't care what they think about us. I know one thing — this girl will no longer come close to me. I felt sorry for her when she had nowhere to sleep. I continued our friendship despite Vlad's recommendations and her behavior at our home. She ruined everything.
When classes are over and I am heading out of the academy, Anton catches up with me. He stops me by the hand and asks to talk. I agree, so we go to a café to avoid freezing under the nasty rain.
Anton gets himself an Americano, and I have cocoa with banana syrup. It turns out delicious and warm.
— So, — the guy gets down to business after a brief exchange of words, — Mark said that you and Katrin had a fight.
— Why did he think that?
— She said so. Did you have a disagreement?
— Is that why you called?
— No! Of course not. I wanted…
I look at him questioningly. I still find my own actions back then in “Paradise” surprising — how hurt I was with St. that I kissed him? Anton doesn't attract me. At all. Not even a little bit.
— Speak, — I smile gently.
— I like you, Julianna.
— Stop! — I stop him. — Back when we were celebrating the start of the school year, our kiss — I take a few deep breaths to gather my strength, — was a mistake. I’m married, Anton.
The guy's eyes widen in surprise.
— Married?
— Yes.
— And to whom?
— It doesn't matter, — I shrug and savor the cocoa. — It just won't work out. You’re wonderful, — I say, so as not to hurt him.
— Just not for you, got it. — he mutters. — Let me pay for your cocoa.
— No. You shouldn't. — I wave my hand and realizing there's nothing more to say, I head to the cash register. I pay with my card, and after saying goodbye, I go outside.
Right then, Milana calls:
— Have classes ended?
— Yes.
— And where are you?
— Waiting for you under the café near the academy.
— Great, I’ll be there soon.
Fifteen minutes pass, no more, and a black car pulls up next to me. As far as I know, Milana doesn't have her own car, so thinking it's a vehicle from “AMB,” I step toward it. The doors unlock. I cannot see who is there on the back seat. I sit down without particularly looking around. However, when I raise my eyes, I see… my father. He locks the car doors, and it takes off, speeding away in an unknown direction to me.
— Well, hello, daughter!
My body instantly stiffens. I do not understand what he is doing here. Vlad said that the Wild would be forbidden to come close, but apparently, for now, it is allowed? Although, the man is so indifferent to everything that concerns me or mom that he can easily break that ban. Why did I hope for anything else? St. doesn't know him, but I… know. So, I should have told him that the court order won't help!
I swallow the lump of fear in my throat. I try to discreetly pull out my phone from my bag, but the Wild immediately sees this, so he brazenly snatches the bag from my hands and throws it onto the front seat.
— What’s happening? — I ask in fear.
Our last meeting ended with a beating. Vlad barely managed to intervene because otherwise, the Wild would have beaten everything out of me.
— You thought you could use my bank card and remain unnoticed? Considering what you did and how you deceived me?! — he growls angrily.
I hadn't even thought about this card... I didn't think it mattered who it belonged to. I don't know what to do. I can’t call for help. Jumping out of the car only happens in movies; in real life, I would hardly survive such an act. Screaming? That's not an option either.
I force myself to calm down. I need to act like St. Coldness and calm bewilder others, I know for sure.
— I didn't deceive you, — I try to keep my voice steady and indifferent.
A loud slap knocks even my thoughts out of my head. Shocked by the Wild's anger, I press myself against the back of the seat and instantly press my cool palm to my cheek. The skin burns with fire from the impact.
— You along with Timur and that damned St. have taken everything from me! EVERYTHING!
— As far as I know, part of the "AMB" shares still remains with you! — I retort.
I hope I don't look like a scared doe caught in a trap right now. I hope the Wild sees that the blow, though painful, doesn’t touch my heart anymore. I don’t need his approval or love. I don't need anything.
— And the divorce? Your mother would never have figured this out if it weren't for you and your scheme with the brothers!
The Wild lunges at me to grab my hair, but his memory fails him. It used to be long; now it’s short.
— Don't touch me! — I scream loudly.
— Not touch? — he snarls harshly, grabbing my wrist and yanking me toward him. — Your job was to increase my shares, not take everything! You’re like mold that grew in my house, on my money! You ballooned to huge sizes and now you’re poisoning me!
— Serves you right! — I hiss angrily.
Hatred for this monster pulses through my entire body. It tears atoms apart and pushes me to resist. It literally screams in my head not to give up and not to submit. This time, Vlad isn't behind the door. There’s no one to save me!
— And I knew, — the man hisses. — I knew you would grow up this way. The moment you were born, I should have seen you and immediately understood that you need to be raised strictly, otherwise you would destroy everything. I raised you, Julianna, like my own daughter!
— What? — all the hatred instantly turns into shock.
— Yes, you didn’t mishear! Your mommy didn’t tell you that you were conceived from the love of her life? She didn’t tell you, — he growls, — that I found her pregnant? I thought I could have her because I wanted Sofia more than anything.
— Like a toy… — I mutter.
— But I couldn't! You both disgusted me! Only Timur brought me joy in all my years of life! And you are just like your father! Thankfully, long dead!
Torrential tears stream down my cheeks. No, I am not crying for a father I never knew. I am crying out of joy because nothing connects me to the Wild. I am not his biological daughter. We are not of the same blood. It’s such a relief that for a while, everything flies out of my head.