Her face falls slightly. “I’m sorry for Damir’s behavior, son.”
I shake my head. “It’s alright, Mother-in-law. I understand his anger. If one day I have a daughter and some boy hurts her, I would react the same way.”
She gives me a proud smile and pats my cheek. “You will be a very good father.”
I smile sadly. “I’ve already failed at being a good husband. I don’t know how good a father I’ll be.”
Her smile fades again. Manipulating her is even easier than manipulating my mother. She has a pure heart, completely opposite to her husband’s. And she is the key to that man. If she defends me, Damir Mikhailov will never go against me.
“There are always problems in every relationship, son. Finding solutions to those problems together makes the relationship stronger. Forgiving the past and embracing the future are very important. If you drown in guilt over what has already happened, and she keeps holding onto resentment, neither of you will ever live happily.”
I nod. “But knowing that doesn’t lessen the guilt. I would trade everything I have if it meant I could change what I did.” I lower my gaze, recalling all the guilt I’ve carried for years and letting it show on my face. “I’ll spend my entire life making up for it.”
When I look up, I find her on the verge of tears.
Fuck.
If I make his wife cry, Damir Mikhailov will completely lose his mind.
I give her a guilty yet confident smile to do some damage control. “Don’t worry, Mother. Once she forgives me, I’ll keep her happy. Always.”
She smiles softly. “I know you will.”
I glance around. “Where is she? Can I see her?”
Her smile widens. “Of course you can see her. She’s your wife.” She points toward the door of the only room on this floor. “That’s her room. You can go.”
“It’s alright, Mother. I’ll wait here. Mr. Mikhailov will be angry if I go there.”
Her smile fades, and a glint of unspoken determination settles in her eyes.Someone is going to receive a very sweet lecture from his wife.
Iselyn
I walk out of my room and see him standing near the dining table with Mom. The moment he notices me, he turns his head. He looks so much better than he did yesterday.
At the sound coming from the stairs, I lift my gaze and see Papa coming downstairs.
“Good morning, Kroshka.”
“Good morning, Papa.” I kiss his cheek when he comes near me.
His eyes land on Matleon and narrow immediately.
Mom speaks before Dad can say anything. “Matleon has come here for breakfast. And can I talk to you for one minute while the food is being prepared?”
Papa nods. Mom takes him out to the backyard.
Matleon steps closer to me. “Good morning, Angel.”
“Good morning.”
He leans down, presenting his cheek to me. “I wouldn’t mind a kiss too.”
“I thought you were becoming a gentleman,” I say teasingly.
He straightens with a grin. “And then you said you like me the way I am.”
“I never said that,” I protest, even though my lips twitch.
