Page 97 of Bought By the Ruthless Pakhan
I laughed.
Old-school? Maybe.
But Ivan's charm never needed tactics to prove itself.
Stung by Nadia's comment, Ivan launched his second offensive.
That afternoon, I was reading storybooks with Nadia. The two of us squeezed onto the couch, sunlight slanting in through the window, catching in her hair with a sun-warmed softness.
Ivan snuck up behind me and covered my eyes.
In that instant, my body tensed, ears burning hot.
Too long without his touch. My body was more honest than my heart. It missed him.
"Anna." He said my name low.
"Sorry, Ivan."
I cut him off.
Not in front of the kids. Have some boundaries.
I pulled his hands away, said I needed to cut fruit for Nadia.
Really, I was running.
Nadia made a noise behind me. "We don't have fruit upstairs. Dad, you failed again."
I hid around the staircase corner, smiling to myself.
Nadia didn't know—Ivan hadn't failed. I'd retreated first.
Ivan let out a long sigh. "Sweetheart, you're right. I should've just carried her off without a second thought."
Don't say things like that in front of the kids.
But if Ivan did carry me off, I didn't think I could resist. I'd cling to him, and even my refusals would sound like flirting.
Alex had adapted to this new life.
He adored Ivan.
Watching him orbit Ivan so eagerly every day, I only felt immense regret.
I'd let him lose his father's presence at such a young age. Even though Alex was understanding, even though he appreciated my struggles, the missing paternal love was something I could never make up for.
I knew what it was like to lack family.
Here, he not only had Ivan but also a half-sister.
Nadia really liked this little brother.
No—actually, Alex had become Nadia's sidekick. The two kids got along wonderfully. Nadia shared all her drawings from over the years with Alex. Alex invited her to play soccer.
Though...
Soccer didn't seem like a ladylike sport, but when Nadia went wild playing, she actually looked pretty good. Maybe she'd be a great soccer player someday.
