“Did she say why?”
Elena hesitates. “The children were very upset. Mila was crying. I heard her tell Mrs. Volkov she hated her.”
I turn to look at Elena. “And Anna’s response?”
“She apologized. Then she took everything anyway.”
Of course she did.
I’ve been patient. I’ve given Anna space to adjust. I’ve allowed her to keep the twins at a distance while she processes the reality of this marriage. But this isn’t an adjustment anymore. This is sabotage.
I spent three days researching those toys. Finding exactly what Mila and Alexei would love. Quality pieces that weren’t just expensive, but meaningful. The dollhouse has hand-painted furniture. The train set is the same brand my father gave me when I was Alexei’s age.
And Anna threw them out like garbage.
“Where is she now?” I ask.
“I believe she’s in her bedroom. The children are in Mila’s room.”
I leave the playroom and head down the hallway. My footsteps are louder than usual against the hardwood. I’m not trying to be quiet.
Anna’s door is closed. I don’t knock.
She’s standing by the window when I walk in, arms crossed, staring out at the grounds. The toys are stacked in the corner. Dollhouse, train set, all the accessories packed neatly in their boxes.
She doesn’t turn around. “Get out of my room.”
“No.”
“I’m not doing this right now.”
“Yes, you are.” I close the door behind me. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
She spins around. “Excuse me?”
“You took toys away from your children. Made them cry. For what reason?”
“For every reason. Those gifts were inappropriate.”
“They’re toys. Age-appropriate, high-quality toys that your children loved. What’s inappropriate about that?”
“They’re from you.”
“And that’s enough to deny your children something that made them happy?”
“Yes.” She moves away from the window, anger flashing in her eyes. “Yes, that’s exactly enough.”
“You’re being cruel to them to punish me.”
“I’m protecting them from you.”
“From toys? You’re protecting them from fucking toys?”
“From you using those toys to manipulate them!” Her voice rises. “You think I don’t see what you’re doing? Sending gifts, appearing in hallways, asking about their favorite colors? You’re trying to win them over.”
“I’m trying to exist in the same house as them without you acting like I’m a predator.”
“You killed a man in front of me a week ago!”
