I don’t regret it and I never will.
Now the question that makes my blood simmer is simple.
What the fuck does Maria want with Lily now?
Money, most likely. It’s always money with women like her. She shows up when there’s something to gain and disappears when things get hard.
I scrub a hand over my face and lean back, exhaling slowly.
If Maria thinks she can waltz back into Lily’s life and take something from her…
She’s forgotten who’s been watching all these years.
“Nice place,” Lev says as I walk him through the different levels.
I show him everything. The safe rooms. The office. The gym. Every exit. Every contingency. Every place he could disappear if he had to. “Thanks.”
I grab two glasses from the cupboard and pour vodka without measuring. “Here. You probably need this.” I slide it across the island.
“Za zdorovye. To health,” he says as he lifts his cup.
I knock mine back, the burn barely registering.
I check my phone to confirm Lily is home. Safe. For now.
Then I look back at him and drop the bomb. “Maria came to see Lily today.”
Lev’s expression hardens instantly, jaw locking like a loaded gun. “What did she fucking want?”
“To apologize.”
He lets out a sharp laugh, pouring another drink. “Yeah. Did my little girl slam the door in her face?”
Pride flickers through his anger.
“Basically, yeah.” I don’t tell him about the sobbing. About Lily collapsing against the glass once Maria was gone. That grief belongs to me alone for now.
“I’ll see Lily soon,” Lev mutters.
I nod, though doubt coils in my gut. I don’t think Lily is ready to forgive either of her parents, and I’m not sure she ever will be.
I pull up the gallery’s social feed and scroll until I find the photo from the showing. The one where she looks radiant. Untouchable. Alive.
I turn the phone toward him, and his eyes fill immediately. And then the color drains from his face.
“Is that on a public domain?” he asks, voice gone cold.
I frown. “Yeah. Her gallery’s social media page.”
“Blyaht. Fuck.” He slams his fist into the marble, the sound cracking through the room.
My pulse spikes. I only see Lev look like this when shit is really bad. When he’s panicking.
“Lev. I need you to explain,” I say carefully.
He turns to me, bloodshot eyes sharp with fear.
“Drago. Lily is in trouble if they’ve seen that.” He snatches the phone back, jabbing his finger at the diamond key necklace resting against her throat.
