Page 42 of Bought By the Ruthless Pakhan

I sat down and opened her math workbook, going through her assignments. She was truly brilliant. These problems were nothing to her—she grasped everything immediately. Every time I explained an example, she could solve all the variations that followed.

I pushed down the panic from downstairs and explained each problem carefully, as if focusing hard enough would make that kiss, that moment of weakness—all of it—disappear.

Between problems, I glanced at the doorway.

The door was ajar, leaving a narrow gap. Ivan's figure stood by the frame. He didn't come in, just leaned there casually,arms crossed over his chest. I didn't know how long he'd been standing there or how much he'd heard.

I looked away and continued teaching.

When Nadia finished the last problem and capped her pen, I looked up to find her resting her chin in her hands, smiling at me.

"Did you understand everything, sweetheart?"

"Anna," Nadia said, completely off topic. "You're even prettier than you were five years ago."

I was caught off guard by the random comment. Before I could respond, Nadia spoke again. "Will you stay and be my mommy?"

The air went still.

I looked at her. Those gray-brown eyes sparkled, pure and clean, filled with uncomplicated hope.

Nadia's words reminded me of something.

I wasn't alone. I had a son. And my son's father was Ivan. If Ivan found out about Alex, he would fight me for custody.

I couldn't lose Alex. He was my everything, my only family in this world.

"Anna, why aren't you saying anything?"

I snapped back, forcing a smile. "Nadia, I can't be your mommy."

"Why not?"

"Because I have a son. I have my own family now."

I deliberately raised my voice at the end, making sure the last part carried through that cracked door to the person standing behind it.

I didn't know how he'd react. Anger? Questions? Or nothing at all.

But I hoped that once he heard it, he'd stop bothering me.

The light in Nadia's face went out instantly. She pressed her lips together and said nothing, her small shoulders sagging.

Seeing her disappointment made my chest ache. I was about to say something to lighten the mood when—

The door swung open.

Ivan walked in. His face showed no emotion—couldn't tell if he was pleased or angry. He just walked over to Nadia. "Sweetheart, you should go get your teacher some juice."

Nadia mumbled an "okay" and shuffled past me out the door.

She pulled it shut behind her, but it didn't close completely. A narrow gap remained.

I lowered my eyes and started packing up the materials on the table, stuffing the lesson plans, workbook, and pencil case into my bag one by one. Before I could zip it, Ivan's hand pressed down on the edge of the table, blocking my way out.

He was too close.

Close enough that I could feel his warmth wrapping around me inch by inch. Close enough to see the tight line of his jaw.