Page 24 of Bought By the Ruthless Pakhan

She just stood there quietly, not defending herself once.

"Anna..."

Before I could finish, Victoria rushed past me, crying and pleading. "Ms. Bennett, I know you like Ivan. I'm only here temporarily. Please don't hurt Nadia because of me. She's just a child."

Anna swayed, mouth falling open. "I didn't."

She looked so fragile. Ready to collapse.

Something clenched in my chest. I grabbed Victoria's arm, pulling her back. "Enough."

Victoria wrenched free, crying harder. "You're still protecting her! Last night, Nadia said Daddy only loves Anna now and doesn't want her anymore!"

My temples throbbed.

"Just calm down. I'll arrange other accommodations for Anna."

As soon as I said it, I looked at her.

She stood there watching me. No words. No tears. But every bit of light in her eyes went out in an instant.

"Anna."

I wanted to explain.

But when I reached out, she just shook her head. "No need. I'm going back to school."

She dropped her gaze, lashes casting small gray shadows on her cheeks. That frustration in my chest turned into something unnameable and suffocating.

"I said I'd arrange something for you."

Anna shook her head again.

Victoria laughed coldly. "You're just a nanny we hired. What right do you have to be picky?"

"Victoria, enough. Shut your mouth!"

"Did I say something wrong? Some women sleep with you a few times and think they own this house! Ivan, I'm telling you—Nadia is my line in the sand. If you can't clean up this mess, I'll fight you for custody."

She shoved past Anna, slamming into her shoulder, then stomped upstairs.

Anna went even paler, like crumpled paper someone had tried to smooth out.

Victoria's words were poisoned needles, stabbing straight into her heart.

"Anna."

I stepped forward, wanting to look at her.

She dodged my hand, smiling faintly. "I'll go pack."

She kept her eyes down, that curve of her lips still there but twisted into something else. I couldn't tell if it was hurt or disappointment, but that smile landed on my heart and crushed the air out of me.

"Don't you dare!"

I blocked her path. Trapped her against the wall at the stair landing, her back pressed to it, shoulders curling in like a cornered animal with nowhere left to run.

God. What was I doing?