Page 35 of Bought By the Ruthless Pakhan

"One."

I didn't want to hear it. I started counting.

"Oh no! Ivan! Nadia is our daughter. She needs a complete—"

"Two."

Victoria knew me. She knew better than anyone that when I hit three, all bets were off. Her lips quivered. Finally she shot Nadia a vicious glare, turned, and stormed out.

The door slammed downstairs.

Nadia's sobs quieted to hiccups.

I carried her to the couch and poured her warm milk.

She held it, fingers still trembling.

"Take your time," I sat beside her, didn't push. "If you don't want to talk today, you don't have to."

Nadia clutched the warm cup and looked up, choking on her words. "Mommy hit me. She made me lie about Anna. Made me drive her away. She said Anna would ruin our family."

My heart clenched.

Anna's hurt. The fingerprints on Nadia's arm. Victoria crying to me with red eyes.

Every frame played back in slow motion.

I was such an idiot for doubting Anna.

Remembering the warmth dying in her eyes made my throat tighten.

"Daddy, did I do something wrong? But I was scared Mommy would hit me. I was so scared."

I pulled my daughter into my arms. "No, baby. You didn't do anything wrong. I did. Victoria did. Daddy didn't protect you. Or Anna."

Nadia buried her face in my chest. Fresh tears soaked my shirt.

My stomach felt like someone had punched it. Twisting. Sinking.

Anna... Anna...

When Nadia finally cried herself out, she fell asleep against me. Looking at her tear-stained face, the regret only got heavier. If I'd caught Victoria's hostility sooner, maybe no one would've gotten hurt.

But there were no do-overs.

I carried Nadia back to her bedroom.

She rolled over, cheek nuzzling the pillow, mumbling something in her sleep. I didn't catch it.

I closed the door and went to my study.

The call rang a long time before Dmitri picked up. "Boss? What's up?"

"Find someone for me."

"Boss, we just dealt with the traitor. It's rest time."

"I need to find this person."