Even the idea of my wife leaving me. But there’s just one thing I need her to know before she goes.
“I can’t stop you.”
Liya perks up. She seems to notice me for the first time, or this is her first indication of noticing me.
“If you want to leave,” I explain. “I can’t restrain you.”
She glowers at me.
I gesture to the foyer. “It’s your decision. I won’t get in the way of that.”
“How generous of you.”
If she wants an argument, I won’t bite. That’s not how I want to leave things.
I prefer so much more than words. I crave a sensational farewell, the kind of embrace that can leave me breathless for years to come. I need a goodbye that lingers on my lips long after its completion. I need the memory of this moment to dwell in my dreams forever.
Because that’s all I’m going to have left of her.
I glance at the door.Among other things.
Liya taps her teacup, suspicion sneaking in her eyes. “There’s a catch, isn’t there?”
I grip my mug.My clever fox. Nothing gets past her.
Her gaze hardens. “Because there’s always a catch with you, Pavel.”
I step toward the table. This might hurt as much as breaking apart. But it has to be said. She needs to understand that she can’t get away with tearing my world—or my family—apart.
“You’re not taking my child from me.”
“Ourchild.”
“I will come to claim him as soon as he’s born.”
She fumes. “You said we would discuss this.”
“This is not up for discussion. Not anymore.”
“You won’t find me.”
“Iwillfind you. No matter how far you run. I will find you, and I will take that child from you. Because he belongs to me!”
Her lips twitch, and I realize I’m shouting. Her eyes grow wetter by the second, but she doesn’t let the tears fall. She doesn’t cry. She refuses to look weak now. She’s gained masterful control of her emotions. Pride mingles with stubborn indignation inside me.
If only she wasn’t leaving.
She pushes the teacup away. “You’re a monster.”
I shrug off the insult. “You’ve said that so many times that I don’t feel it anymore.”
“Like it ever truly hurt you.”
My heart aches from her jab. “You’ve hurt me more than you ever realize.”
Her eyes cut away from me. “Liar.”
The wound in my heart gapes wide open like a maw ready to devour its prey. “That’s another favorite insult of yours.”