Page 34 of Bought By the Ruthless Pakhan

Why did she leave?

I'd felt it. She had feelings for me. Every night together, we'd fit. Her responses didn't lie.

But she still left. Without even saying goodbye.

I squeezed my eyes shut, then forced them open.

Footsteps outside the door.

"Daddy."

I turned. Nadia stood in the doorframe. Barefoot. Eyes red. She'd been crying.

I waved her over. She came, her small body pressed against my leg, head down, voice muffled. "Daddy, I'm sorry. I couldn't stop Anna from leaving."

I kissed her forehead. "Not your fault, baby."

"Yes, it is—" Tears spilled down Nadia's face. "It's my fault because I helped Mommy lie..."

"Hey! Nadia!"

Victoria's footsteps hammered up the stairs, sharp and frantic.

She burst into the room and grabbed Nadia's arm. "Stop talking nonsense. Don't bother your father!"

Nadia stumbled forward, chin knocking into my knee with a dull thud.

I caught Victoria's wrist and squeezed. She winced, tried to pull away. Couldn't.

"What lie did you make Nadia tell?"

Victoria forced a smile. It clung to her face like a cracked mask.

Her eyes trembled.

She was guilty as hell.

"Ivan, are you crazy? The kid doesn't know what she's saying. You're taking it seriously?"

She let go of Nadia and snapped at her. "See? Because you're running your mouth, Daddy and Mommy are fighting again!"

Nadia burst into tears, her whole body shaking.

I released Victoria's wrist and pulled Nadia behind me. Her fingers clutched my shirt, sobs wracking her small frame. It tore at me.

I crouched down and cupped her wet face, wiping away the tears.

"Baby, don't be scared. Daddy's here. No one's going to hurt you."

But I already knew.

Anna's situation—Victoria was behind it. Even Nadia had been used as a tool.

"Victoria. I'm giving you time to leave. Don't make me do something in front of my daughter."

Victoria stepped back.

She bit her lip, twisting her dress, voice shaking. "Ivan, you're kicking me out for that woman? We've known each other for years, I'm still your—"