“Does he spend time with them?”
“Some. When I allow it.”
“When you allow it? Why wouldn’t you allow it?”
“Because I don’t trust him.”
“Anna.” Lina reaches across the table and takes my hand. “What’s really going on? You sound miserable.”
“I’m not miserable. I’m just adapting to a new life I didn’t choose.”
“Your parents forced this marriage.”
“They were desperate. The debt was crushing them.”
“Still. Being sold to pay off debts feels medieval.”
I pull my hand back. “It’s done. There’s no point dwelling on it.”
Lina watches me for a long moment. Then she asks, “Have you told him?”
My blood goes cold. “Told him what?”
“About the twins’ father. About that night.”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s none of his business.”
“Anna, he’s your husband. He’s raising your children. Don’t you think he should know?”
“Know what? That their father was a one-night stand I met in a hotel bar? That I got pregnant from someone whose name I didn’t even ask for?”
“That their father is?—”
“Dead,” I interrupt. “Their father is dead. That’s what I told Luca, and that’s the truth as far as he needs to know.”
Lina sits back in her chair. “Does he ask about it?”
“Once. Right after the wedding. I told him their father died years ago, and he accepted it.”
“Just like that? He didn’t push for details?”
“No. Why would he? The twins aren’t his concern beyond providing for them.”
“That seems cold.”
“Everything about Luca is cold.”
“But he doesn’t suspect anything? About who their father really is?”
The question feels pointed. Too specific.
“Why would he suspect anything?” I ask carefully.
“I don’t know. I just thought maybe if he saw them, if he noticed how much Alexei looks like?—”
