Page 158 of Sexting the Pakhan

I sit on the armchair.

Just for five minutes.

The episode ends. Mila explains the planets. Nadia corrects the explanation. Ruslan listens like they’re briefing him before a war.

When the credits roll, I stand. “Lunch soon,” I say. “And after that, quiet time.”

Mila groans.

Nadia asks, “Is quiet time mandatory?”

“Yes.”

Ruslan says, “Your mother has work.”

Nadia looks at him. “You are not in charge.”

“No,” he says. “I am not.”

That answer settles something in the room.

I look at him. “When can you leave?” I ask.

The girls are still there, but my voice is calm enough that they don’t react.

Ruslan doesn’t answer immediately.

“What do you need?” I ask.

Ruslan looks at my phone on the table. “Your phone.”

My hand moves to it before I think.

Then I stop. He sees the hesitation.

His voice lowers. “The sooner I get out of this apartment, the better for you. Isn’t it?”

That is exactly what I want.

It should be easy to say yes.

Before I can answer, Mila shifts closer to him and wraps one arm around his side as carefully as a five-year-old can. “I don’t want him to leave,” she says.

The room goes still.

Ruslan looks down at her like he doesn’t know what to do with the words.

I close my eyes for one second. “Mila.”

She presses her cheek against his arm. “He’s injured.”

“He has people who can help him.”

Mila looks up at me. “But what if they’re bad people?”

Nadia turns to Ruslan. “Are your people bad?”

Ruslan doesn’t answer right away.