Page 49 of Bought By the Ruthless Pakhan

"I'll miss you too, little guy."

After saying that, I straightened up. My gaze moved past his head and landed on the figure hurrying across the street.

Her honey-blonde hair lifted in the wind, edged with a fuzzy golden glow in the evening light. She wore a light-colored jacket, a canvas bag across her shoulder, Alex's water bottle hanging from it. Her steps were quick and urgent—probably worried she was running late.

Anna.

My wandering kitten.

My eyebrow arched slowly. I looked down at Alex. "Maybe you could invite me to visit your house."

I was a terrible father. When it came to using my kid, I had no shame.

Alex's eyes lit up. He let go of my hand, his short legs pumping as he dashed across the street.

"Mommy!"

Anna smiled, catching him. "Baby, how was school today?"

Before Alex could answer, I was already standing in front of her.

Anna looked up. Saw me. Froze completely.

Her mouth opened, then closed. The light in her eyes flickered, like a candle caught in wind—shock, trembling.

Alex introduced me, his voice crisp and bright. "Mommy, this is our new substitute teacher."

Anna's gaze shifted from her son's face to mine. Stopped for two seconds.

"Teacher?"

Her voice pitched up a notch. Of course she didn't buy this bullshit cover story.

I smiled at her. Watched the panic she couldn't hide. Watched her struggle to wrap herself in composure, like a layer of ice about to melt.

Alex nodded excitedly. "Mommy, can I invite the teacher over to play?"

Chapter Thirteen

Anna

Ivan was out of his mind.

Teacher?

How could he spin such a blatant lie?

I was one hundred percent certain he already knew who Alex was—hell, he probably had the birth date, the birth certificate, everything I didn't want him touching.

But I couldn't say a word. Couldn't show a thing. Just stood there frozen, even my breathing calculated.

I stole a glance at him.

Still perfectly composed, that faint smile on his lips, shoulders relaxed.

That smug certainty made my teeth ache—he knew damn well I wouldn't refuse him in front of Alex.

Alex was still looking up at me, eyes bright with anticipation.