Page 16 of Viparious

I ignore them and go to the fridge to take out the cake. I’m cutting Viktor the biggest slice and it has Vitali shaking away his thoughts like he’s a child. He attempts to snatch the plate and crowds my side when I move it away from him.

“Come on, mother, I’m a growing boy.”

I hit the back of his hand with the spatula extra hard for his stupid joke that I’m anything like that bitch. He tries to give me puppy dog eyes, but I stare back blankly, and he huffs, “For fuck’s sake, you’re worse than Vlad.”

I don’t know why but pride fills me, and I stand straighter, feeding the animals after giving Viktor and Dani their plates.

Cutting one final slice for Vlad, all four of them speak at the same time, stopping me going towards his office.

“Vlad doesn’t eat cake.”

He doesn’t fucking eat anything. It’s worrying that I’ve never seen my husband have a meal. He’ll drink tea on a morning but never eat anything. The man survives on nothing other than his humorous rage and whatever ice manages to melt in his liquor for hydration.

I take my seat and set the plate where Vlad usually sits. He never spends time with his family. It’s always a hundred miles per hour, moving from one thing to the next like he’s allergic to comfort in any form. Emotion sours the chocolate on my spoon. Vlad has made himself an island, no one can get close to him because he won’t allow it, and even now, full of fucking holes, he’s probably sat in his office, working on his plan to take over the world like it means anything.

Dariya and Grandfather gave me a place where I could be myself. A home so I wouldn’t need to keep up the facade every single minute of my existence because it’s exhausting to have to think all the time. But I’m married to someone who won’t give that to himself. He’s given it to the people sitting around me. They’re all able to experience genuine happiness because he’s protected them.

Keeping my head down so they can’t see my internal spiral, Vitali moves closer and wraps his arm around my shoulders. He doesn’t say anything to me, just giving silent support but appearing lazy in the way he does it. When my eyes no longer burn, I look back up and there’s no sad smiles or attention on me, making me grow in gratitude. This is what family is, you don’t need to say shit. You’re just there.

Or it was until the little shit tries to literally steal the food on my plate. Battling Vitali, I elbow him in the ribs. It’s not even about the food. It’s the fucking principle. Elbowing him harder when he doesn’t stop, I’m as immature as him, arguing over cake.

“There’s more on the counter. Stop being lazy.”

Viktor and Dani don’t say anything, moving their plates closer and eating like it’s a prison with an arm in front of them.

Pushing his weight into me, he acts like a prick.

“You’re closer and get me another slice when you cut yours.”

He continues pushing me, and my fist tightens around the fork, ready to stab him when Val gets up. I expect him to help me, but he just wipes his mouth, kisses his son’s head, then walks away.

“Thanks for your help, asshole,” I shout at his back, but he continues walking away.

Tali pushes more of his weight into me and attempts to garner sympathy, seeing force isn’t working.

“I’m injured, and you’re the woman of the house. It’s your job to do this shit.”

Dani’s mumblesoh shitunder her breath as I slowly turn my head, feeling deathly cold come over me.

“Say that again, and you’ll have more injuries.”

He has the sense to shut his mouth, and he smiles at me from ear to ear, amused at pissing me off. I’m glad I was an only child now; I couldn’t imagine having to put up with someone’s shit and being forced to protect them.

Gritting my teeth when he keeps pushing me, I manage to give a warning to the actual child in the room.

“Viktor, cover your ears.”

He does it straight away, and I try to lower my voice just in case he can still hear.

“Get off me, you dickhead.”

Tali freezes, but I’m half off my seat when the deadly voice bounces off the walls.

FIVE

Vlad

The adrenaline has fully left my system, and the ache is starting to set in my muscles. Giving Dima and Misha their instructions, the latter hangs back. He doesn’t speak straight away, not wanting to be overheard, and tries to be authoritative.

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