That was mere days before she died. I remember us speaking about it over breakfast that day, then by nightfall we were on the run.
Mira continues crying so I reach for the box of tissues at the end of the coffee table. I give her the whole box and when she takes out a wad of tissues, she breaks down.
“I’m so sorry.” She dries her tears and tries to compose herself. “I promised myself I wouldn’t fall apart. Especially when I knew in my heart it had to be that. What else would make a woman come clean with such a truth? Then Evgeni killed her for it, and chose to live with me. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s all his fault.” I feel strange comforting her, as if I’m betraying my mother, but I’m compelled to say something to console her. “Not yours.”
“I still feel terrible. And like such a fool for thinking my husband was true to me.” She wipes her face again and sets her shoulders back. “Thank you for being honest with me.”
“That’s okay.” Deciding to change the subject, I think of the things I spoke to the family lawyer about that involve her. Everyone is still waiting to hear my plans, but as she’s here we can talk about what I’m doing with the assets that affect her. “I won’t be doing anything much with some of your assets.”
“Oh my. I haven’t even thought about that. Do I still have a home to go to? I’ve been staying at a country house my family own just in case. I wasn’t sure what you were going to do.”
“You can keep your home. I won’t be touching your personal assets or anything you held jointly with my father either.”
“Thank you, I’m very grateful.”
Of course she’s fucking grateful. The house and the assets combined are worth several million. I’ll bet she imagined me throwing her out on the street. That’s what I thought I’d do too.
I don’t know if I’m acting like a chump by not doing it, but I decided I wouldn’t because of Leif.
I search Mira’s eyes and wonder if she knows about the vineyard or the original plans for Anastasia. Of her three children, Viktor seems closest to her, but there’s that old adage of keeping women out of business.
In the Knights, women are expected to be submissive and subservient, treating their husbands like masters. The only place I’d want to treat my woman like that is in the bedroom where she can worship my dick.
“Is it okay to ask about Anastasia?”
“She’s fine.” I try to say that as succinctly as possible so she doesn’t prod.
But either Mira doesn’t notice the hint, or she does and is taking the risk, because she looks like she’s gearing up to ask me more questions.
“This is going to be hard for her.”
“Because of Viktor?” I fill in, using the same concise tone.
“He’s just one very important element of her life. I’m sure you must have done your research on her background.”
“I have.”
“She’s been like a daughter to me and I’ve been many things to her, so I know how she must feel.”
“And how do you think she feels?” If she knows what’s good for her she’d better not tell me some fucking lovey-dovey shit about how much Anastasia loves Viktor. If she does, I won’t hesitate to tell her that Anastasia’s tight little pussy tells me otherwise.
“I think Anastasia feels like her world has been turned upside down.” Her expression softens. “She’s just a girl who’s been through a lot. I’ve watched her go through real pain and suffering. And I’ve watched her overcome grief. She wants to be a therapist and work with children, pretty much like I do. Except she has real life experience.”
“I will bear that in mind.” I try to sound as polite as I can given the awe in which she speaks of Anastasia.
“Thank you. I felt you needed to understand her a little more in case she needs to lean on the people she’s grown up with. Like me, or Viktor. We’re like her family. Viktor was almost her husband. That’s going to mean something to her too. They have an attachment.”
I bite the inside of my lip. There’s nothing I can say against that because it’s true.
“Well, you’ve given me much to think about.” My voice is stiffer than a freshly cut board.
“Thank you for your time and everything else. I’ll leave you to get back to your busy schedule.”
“I’ll see you out.”
We stand and I lead the way. As soon as we get out into the hallway, hurried footsteps grab our attention. I turn to see Anastasia rushing down the stairs.