— I came to see my father’s fiancée and understand what she’s like. Tell me, Var—when you played the shy girl with Father, was the same scheme used? You also make eyes halfway, and in the evenings you sleep with someone else?
I get slapped. I grab the girl by the neck, pull her closer, and whisper into her ear:
— I don’t believe a word from any of you, Odintsova. And I don’t believe in your love. And I’ll find a way to prove it to Father.
I haven’t seen him for ten years, and now he’s back and wants to ruin my life. Again. But I’m no longer a little naive girl—I can stand up to him, because at stake is the life of the person dear to me.
From the author: !The book contains explicit scenes and obscene language!