Page 65 of Forced Bratva Hostage

I replied with a hesitant tone, my voice trailing off, “Well…that was…uh….” I scratched the back of my head, and my cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “A minor…you know…aminor lapse in sanity.” My shoulders shrugged, eyes dropping to my cup as I slurped my tea.

He chuckled lightly, brows rising in amusement. “A minor lapse in sanity, huh? That's one way of putting it.”

“Hey, cut me some slack here, I've been on my best behavior these past few days,” I blurted out.

“And it hasn't gone unnoticed,” he said, his lips curling into a smile as he leaned forward and planted a kiss on my forehead.

Afanasy's gaze dropped to my swollen belly, and he placed a gentle hand over it. “How's our baby doing?” He returned his eyes to me.

“She, too, has been on her best behavior,” I replied, smiling as I rested my hand over his. My eyes rolled for a moment, my head tilting to the side. “Hmm. Maybe I'm on my best behavior becauseshe'son her best behavior.”

“Classic,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Blame the innocent little girl for everything—good and bad.”

I giggled, taking another sip. “Well, she's my one-way ticket out of trouble anytime, and I'm gonna take advantage of that while I still can.”

He laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “I'm gonna tell her you said that when she's come of age. I'm gonna tell her that her mom used her as a tool to get out of trouble when she was still in the womb.”

I wore a mock scowl, my brows furrowing. “You wouldn't dare.” My lips pursed, and the words were spoken with a playful warning, my voice low and menacing.

“Oh, but I would.” He leaned in closer, his face mirroring mine and his voice dripping with confidence.

We locked eyes, neither of us willing to break character until an abrupt laugh burst out of me. He cackled, going down to kiss my belly.

I couldn't believe I was so happy with Afanasy, given the circumstances surrounding our marriage. Yet, there I was, living a blissful life.

The door rang, interrupting our playful moment, and out of the blue, Mary materialized, gliding to answer it.

“Are you expecting someone?” I asked my husband as he sat upright, glancing toward the door.

He looked at me. “No. Are you?”

I gave a face that hinted at my disbelief. Who was I acquainted with that would come looking for me at home?

Julia and her husband or any of my husband's relatives wouldn't stop by unannounced; they'd call first. So, who was at the door?

Mary returned to the living, standing poised in front of us. “There's a man at the door,” she began, her gaze shifting toward me. “He says his name is Harrison and that he's your father.”

My heart skipped for a moment, my breath logged in my throat as I turned to face my husband, who didn't seem as shocked and surprised as I was.

He gently squeezed against my fingers, wearing an encouraging grin.

I'd once mentioned to him in passing a few weeks ago that I wondered what happened to my father—where he was or what he was up to. Afanasy had acted like he didn't hear me at the time, but clearly, he had.

Somehow, I had a feeling that he had something to do with my father dropping by today. I had no clue what had gone on behind my back—what had transpired that led to this moment—but I was grateful.

I'd been longing to have a conversation with Harrison for a long time now because no matter what happened, he was stillmy father. It was almost like Afanasy saw right through me—he knew that I was finally ready to speak with him.

Harrison being here today only meant that he, too, was ready to talk.

I drew a deep breath, returning my gaze to Mary. “Let him in.”

She nodded subtly and headed back to the door.

“You got this,” Afan said, looking into my eyes like he could sense my tension.

I squeezed out a smile, and my eyes darted to the entrance when the door opened, and Harrison stepped in.

It really was him—my father.

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