“This is…” He mumbles something in Russian, and I don’t need to speak it to understand vile language.
“Yes,” I say quietly.
“You are…upset.”
“That’s an understatement.” We start walking back toward the main building with Priscilla on our heels. I don’t say anything since if she’s with us, she’s safe enough, and I have a feeling she’s not going to wander far.
“Give me work,” he says after we’re quiet for a while.
“Most of the work is done,” I admit. “We’ve cleaned up in here—” I motion to the bird room. “And I hired landscapers to come help with the grounds. Some of the birds are at the veterinary hospital, and we’re working on getting the place open to the public again. The sooner we can start bringing in money, the better. I don’t know how much the insurance will pay for so I had to max out my credit cards and—” I cut myself off. He doesn’t need to know this stuff.
“Why do you not speak to Viktor?” he asks finally, looking into my eyes.
“This isn’t Viktor’s problem,” I whisper, dropping my gaze.
“You are his wife.”
But I’m not. Not really.
“Things are…complicated.”
“You rush to marry because he is afraid his mother will bring wife.” He nods with understanding. “Now you have crisis and you are not…friends yet.”
If only it was that simple.
“I took a job in New York,” I blurt. “I think it’s better for everyone.”
He frowns. “New York. You will live in New York and Viktor will be here? This is not good for marriage.”
“I think maybe Viktor needs a Russian wife,” I whisper. “Someone who understands him. Who wants to move to Russia when he retires. Someone…his mother likes.”
“Holly.” His voice is low, but his tone is demanding, forcing me to look up. “His mother—she is not unhappy with Viktor’s wife. She is unhappy that you are not…” He pauses, looking to the sky as he stumbles over the words. “That you do not love him.”
“But I do!” The words slip out before I can stop them. “He doesn’t love me!”
He frowns. “He does.”
I shake my head. “He told me the other night. On the phone.”
“Told you this? That he does not love you?”
I nod, tears filling my eyes again. “And I can’t stay if he doesn’t love me.”
“This is…” More Russian grumbling. “Holly, you can give me one day?”
“You can’t make him love me,” I say gently. “It makes me happy that you want to help, but either he loves me or he doesn’t, and he was very clear that he doesn’t.”
“You are sure?”
“He said it. He said even though he doesn’t love me, he still wants to help with the sanctuary and everything.” I shrug. “He’s a good man. I guess we just weren’t meant to be. And I don’t want to keep him tied to a woman and a relationship that doesn’t make him happy.”
“Viktor is more happy than I have ever seen him,” he protests. “I know my son. I do not know what he said, or why, but I know my son. Somewhere, there is mistake. Misunderstanding. You must believe this.”
I swipe at my eyes. “It’s okay, Mr. Maslak, I just?—”
“Papa.” He folds his arms across his chest.
“What?” I blink.
