“You told me that at the hospital.” His jaw flexed once, like he was holding something back. “You said you didn’t want me in her life.”
The words landed like a slap.
My throat tightened.
I swallowed, but it didn’t help.
Tears burned behind my eyes.
“Well... maybe I changed my mind.”
The admission came out shakier than I wanted.
My pride hated it.
But my heart meant it.
“Maybe... maybe I do want you to be part of her life now.”
His expression flickered.
Hope?
Or caution?
“But what you did—”
My voice broke.
The memories flooded in.
The prison.
The bunker.
“You destroyed me.”
My hand pressed protectively against my daughter.
“It hurts so deep I can still feel it.”
My jaw trembled. “I can still taste blood in my mouth every time I remember.”
Silence slammed into the room.
“I can’t erase that like it was a bad dream.”
Ruslan didn’t interrupt. He just listened.
After a long, heavy beat — he turned slowly toward Harris and my father.
His entire posture shifted.
Something dangerous clicked into place.
“Gentlemen,” he said calmly. “We’re done here.”
His tone wasn’t negotiation. It was dismissal.
