Page 61 of Tied to Hope
Brie actually smiled, finding the idea of a tiny Rytsar running around in the world thoroughly charming. “Did you take a picture together?”
“I did,” he said, pulling out his cell phone and swiping through the photos to show her.
Brie couldn’t help but smile when she saw a shot of a little chubby-cheeked boy with big blue eyes pressing his cheek against Rytsar’s manly jaw.
The resemblance between the two was striking.
Staring at the photo, Brie could imagine Rytsar at that age. It was horrifying to think anyone could hurt such a sweet little child. She looked at Rytsar with fresh compassion, wishing she could have been there to stop the abuse he suffered as a boy.
“Did you fall in love with the little boy the moment you laid eyes on him?”
Rytsar’s smile faltered slightly. “The truth is…radost moya, I am still adjusting to my new role.”
Brie couldn’t imagine his emotional shock at finding out he was the father of a two-year-old. Rytsar had never wanted to be a parent, which only made this situation worse.
“How were things between you and the mother?” Sir asked.
Rytsar bobbed his head slightly when he answered. “Sasha is…anxious to become a family.”
That was the first time Brie heard the woman’s given name, having only known her by her pet name. For some reason, hearing it made things that much more real for Brie.
“How do you feel about that?” Sir asked him.
Rytsar turned his head to look out the window at the ocean. “I am determined to do right by this boy. He will know the love and support of his father.”
Having experienced unspeakable cruelty and abuse under the hands of his own father, it was only natural that Rytsar was determined to give this child what he had never known.
Although it broke her heart, Brie understood and respected him for it. “You will be the best kind of father.”
He nodded, grateful for her encouragement.
“What reason did Sasha give for keeping the child a secret for so long?” Sir asked him.
Rytsar frowned, looking grief-stricken. “She is well aware of my feelings about having children and did not think I would accept the boy.”
Brie’s eyes narrowed. She was angry at Sasha for blaming Rytsar for her silence. “How dare she put that on you! She should have told you the moment she knew. It wasn’t her decision to make.”
“I like your fire,radost moya, but whether I am partially to blame for her silence or not is irrelevant at this point.” Rytsar gave her a pained look. “The boy needs me.”
Brie closed her eyes. She knew Rytsar would move Heaven and Earth for this child. His passion and loyalty were the very things she loved about him.
Her heart ached, certain now that he was going to leave them.
Sir cleared his throat, voicing the question out loud. “So, you are determined to move back to Russia, then?”
“How can I not and still be a true father to the child?”
“Couldn’t they move here?” Brie asked hopefully.
Rytsar smiled but shook his head. “Sasha will not leave her family, and insists our son grow up in Russia.” He inclined his head toward her, adding, “Which I can’t fault her for. I love my motherland.”
Sir stared thoughtfully at Rytsar. “Brother, you must do what is best for you and your son. Brie and I will support you in however you need us.”
It felt like the ax had finally fallen and Brie struggled to breathe.
He was leaving…
When Rytsar turned to face her, Brie swallowed down her sorrow, gracing him with the smile he deserved. “We’ll just have to come to visit you in Russia.”
