I was given it…
“Get ready and leave. I don’t need your services,” I slide those icy words out, and the look in my eyes makes her shrink.
The girl trembles under his gaze, whimpering.
“Timur Sergeyevich, I’m innocent, and according to the agreement I will give you a child…”
“According to what agreement?”
“The one I signed,” Nadia holds out a black folder. Inside is a marriage contract—mine and citizen Nadezhda Orlova’s. From the text it’s clear: for some reason, she’s being handed over to me into slavery. There are no payments for upkeep or divorce settlements. But the penalties for any misdeed for her are out of this world. There’s even a separate clause about giving birth within a year.
“And you signed this?”
“Yes,” Nadia shrugs with fragile shoulders.
“Why?” I ask the logical question.
“I had no choice,” she looks away.