“No! No, please don’t do that!” Nadya panicked. “Let’s just agree on what we’ll tell him—how we met, when, all that…”
“Good idea,” Spartacus nodded. “When did you get back from the States?”
“Over two months ago.”
“Did you stay overnight anywhere during that time? With a friend or something?”
“No. Just visited my mother’s grave.”
He looked at her and quietly offered his condolences.
“Thanks. She died when I was ten.”
“What from?”
“Pneumonia.”
He sighed heavily and gently touched her shoulder. Nadya looked at his hand, and he quickly pulled it away.
“My father died when I was that age too,” he said.
“But you said I’d be meeting your father-in-law…”
“I’ve got a stepdad.”
“Ah, I see. Sorry.”
“It’s okay.”
“I’m sorry for your loss, truly,” she said gently. “What happened to your dad?”
“There was a fire at our house. He got my mother and me out, then went back in to save the animals. A burning beam fell on him. Everything burned down. My stepdad took us in after that.”
“You don’t like him?”
“I’m neutral. He treats Mom well, and that’s enough for me.”
“Did he treat you like a son?”
“Not really,” Spartacus said, squinting as he tried to remember. “My boxing coach was more of a father to me—but he passed a few years back too. Uncle Pasha never pushed me, so I didn’t complain. He taught me a lot though.”
“Like what?”
“Fixing cars. He worked as a mechanic all his life. Taught me to build stuff, take care of the house. He doesn’t drink. Just a regular guy. Got his flaws, sure… don’t we all?” he added with a crooked smile.
They pulled up to a modest estate with a tall, even fence. Over the top, lush green branches spilled down, showing a well-tended garden.
“Welcome home, wife,” he said, stepping out and opening her door.
She blushed slightly and placed her hand in his, following him toward the gate.
“For everyone else, we’re a real couple. So don’t flinch if I touch you,” he murmured as he pushed open the gate.
“Mama, is Uncle Pasha home?” Spartacus called out to his mother, who was hanging laundry in the yard.
“Hello,” Nadya said timidly.
The woman froze mid-motion, mouth slightly open, her eyes darting down to the joined hands of the young couple.
“Mama, meet Nadya. She’s my wife,” Spartacus said quickly, already heading toward the house. “So, is he home or not?”