Page 127 of Koroleva

"No, that child is a bastard, a slip-up of your brother, a loose spermatozoon that if we had known about, we would have gotten rid of, so don't come now trying to dump the kid on me. He's as much your relative as mine, so step up, and if your husband wants to take care of him, perfect by me, I won't oppose."

"Are you telling me you're okay with my husband wanting to keep Yuri's son?! He's not his!"

"What I'm saying is that I'm not going to take responsibility; it's my turn to live life now. I already sacrificed enough for you four, and I raised you all. Now it's my turn to have fun and not take on something that's already taken care of. "

"But it's your duty! Plus, you've more than earned your motherhood badge, what’s one more?"

"The motherhood badge? Oh no, I won't go there. Do you think being a mother is fun? Then you raise your nephew. I had you because you are my children, and I love you for that same reason, but that's it, I've done my part, end of the game, I don’t want to adopt anyone. I’ll treat that child fairly, maybe take him out for snacks or buy him a little something, but that’s all. I have no intention of sacrificing my future, I'm sorry." Now I knew whom I had gotten my attitude towards motherhood from.

"I can't believe what you're saying," I urged her, hoping she would reconsider.

"Well, accept it. I’m telling you and I’ll say it again: that owl is yours. And get it out of your head that I'll return to Russia; I'm really enjoying Spain and I'm thinking about settling here, with your sisters."

"In Capuleto’s house?" I asked, annoyed. I couldn’t believe my mother might like my father-in-law!

"Wherever I damn please, I’m old enough to make my own decisions and sleep with whomever I want," she argued sternly. "I answered to your father for a long time, and now that he’s dead, I only answer to myself. You may be the new Vor v zakone, but I'm your mother, you owe me respect, and there's nothing above that." What a scolding she just gave me! "I've always respected your decisions, whether I liked them or not, now you'll respect mine."

"So, in summary, you're not planning to help me."

"To raise Adriano? No, I’m sorry. Now you're married, Romeo is your new family and your nephew is part of the package. Besides, you've already told me that your husband doesn’t want him to leave his side, that he loves him like a son. Well, perfect, don't annoy Romeo with nonsense." Nonsense? My mother was truly one of a kind. "It's easier to win men over with honey than with vinegar, and considering your awful temper, you should make a vinaigrette to see if they don't ask for a divorce."

"If she had been in front of me, I would have strangled her.

"Thanks a lot for your help, Mom," I said abruptly.

"You're welcome. You know I'm here to enlighten you with my wisdom, after all, I do have a few years on you. Do you need help with anything else?" How cheeky!

"No, I'm hanging up now. Oh, and take a little piece of advice from me before I hang up: Make sure your new lover puts a ring on your finger before he has a heart attack from all that Viagra, or before my gun accidentally discharges into the back of his neck."

I hung up the phone in a huff. It was crystal clear that I was on my own in this. Great! I would keep my nephew! But I wouldn't allow for the world that he didn't know who his father was or that he carried the Capuleto surname!

I went up to my room for a bikini and went out to the garden to swim away my bad mood. As soon as Brutus saw me appear, he came over for his dose of affection, which was an ear scratch before I dove headfirst into the water. The dog kept an eye on me, especially since I had put one of my t-shirts on his favorite cushion to help him calm down and forget about my legs.

Half an hour later, with part of my anger drowned in the water, I lay down on one of the hammocks and watched the sunset while giving some affection to my enamored dog, who kept hitting my arm with his paw.

Once he was satisfied with the pampering, he lay down on the ground, and I dozed off with the last rays of sunlight warming my skin.

I woke up feeling something covering my body. I slowly opened my eyes, drowsy, and saw my husband carefully placing a bathrobe over me. As soon as he realized I was watching him intently, he gave me a sad smile.

"I didn't mean to wake you."

"Did you want me to sleep in the garden with the dog? How considerate." At my remark, he laughed.

"I actually wanted time to prepare the table, so that when you woke up, it would be filled with that Chinese food you love so much."

"You went to get my favorite food to bribe me?" I asked, lifting my body.

"More like, to make peace and reach an agreement. Adri won't be spending the night at home; I asked Julieta to keep him so we can talk without worrying about him hearing anything inappropriate."

I put on the bathrobe and R offered me his hand to help me stand up. He took the opportunity to pull me close and rub my arms.

"You smell like tequila and bar."

"Yes, I've had a few, it's been a long time since I last stopped by to talk to Dante."

"And you guys went all out..."

"Enough for me to realize that I can't be so obtuse about certain things." He ran his hand through my wet hair and tucked it behind my ear. "I don't want to fight with you and I'm willing to give in if you are too." I looked at him thoughtfully.

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