ADAM
After I told her everything, Amanda fell asleep on my shoulder, so I had no choice but to just sit and watch as the woman quietly slept on my chest, even though I couldn’t sleep at all. I thought about our past, contemplated the history of her father, and couldn’t understand how it happened that different generations experienced almost the same thing. Only now, while recounting this story to Amanda, did I notice one nuance that I hadn’t seen before. It's that this story isn’t over. What Korniyev told me was that Amanda would learn the ending or continuation later and not from me. And now I'm curious about what happened next, what else may unfold in this story, and how it will affect our relationship with Kitten.
By morning, Amanda woke up earlier, and when I heard the alarm clock ring, she was already approaching me with coffee.
- Good morning, how are you feeling? - her voice sounded tired, but in her eyes, I saw little droplets of life, and that couldn’t help but bring me joy.
- I’m okay. And you, Kitten? - Amanda placed the cup on the table and sat beside me.
- I don’t know how I feel, honestly. Too much has happened in the last day. I definitely didn’t expect to hear such a story about my parents. And it’s hard for me to process and understand all of it. - I see how anxious she is and how she clutches her dress tighter.
- Amy, everything will be fine. We will handle everything together. - I take her hand and pull her close. I can't even imagine how hard it is for her right now. Although, if I had so much piled on me in one day... First, the loss of a child, then the revelation about her biological father, whom she learned about literally before his death. The mystery of her mother. So much, so much.
- Adam, I really don’t know what to do next. I just want to leave all this past behind, not deal with it, and go back to London, where life is completely different, where all of this doesn’t exist, where there’s no dark side to my birth, no secrets of my parents, no problems. I’m just tired. - She closes her eyes, and my heart tightens at the very thought that Amanda might leave.
- No, I won’t allow that anymore. Kitten, please, don’t run away. Not now. - I look at her with such pleading that Amanda exhales and runs her palm along my cheek.
- I don’t know. I’m not sure I can handle all of this. - I see how broken she is. She was exactly this broken seven years ago when she got out of the car and headed to the airport. But back then, I had broken her.
- We will handle it. We will definitely manage. You believe me, don’t you? - I really want to hear those words from her. I want her to say that she believes me, that together we can do anything. And that she will never, ever leave me. But still, deep down, I think that maybe, if this meeting hadn’t happened, if she hadn’t returned here after seven years, her life would have been better. There wouldn’t be all these problems. She wouldn’t know the story of her birth; she wouldn’t know that her dad is, in fact, not her dad, she wouldn’t know about Korniyev. At least about him, maybe she would eventually learn. I don’t think he’d remain silent to the end of his days. I look at Amanda and understand that maybe she would have been better off without me. But not now. Right now, I’m not ready to let her go. I waited too long for her return to just let her go like that.
- Amanda, just say that you won’t leave me. - I look at her again with pleading eyes. I hope she will say that this won't happen again.
- Adam, I’m not going anywhere, but promise me, or rather, give me your word that there will be no more secrets between us. And if you know something, I will always know too. - This I can promise, because I understand that one more secret, another mystery, and this will ruin our future forever. And it’s already fragile, considering everything we’ve had to endure.
- I promise, Kitten, no more secrets. I give you my word. - She believes me because she knows I always keep my promises. In all my 31 years of life, I have never broken a promise, and I don’t plan to start now. Especially not this promise, given to someone who means far too much to me.
- Now we need to address the issue with Marina. The girl is probably very scared, especially knowing all the circumstances. We need to talk to her at the very least. - I completely agree with Amanda, so I suggest taking her to my office, and then asking security to bring Marina over. There we can calmly discuss everything and come up with a plan for further actions. Not that I’m very afraid of my ineptitude, but we still need to be prepared for the consequences. Moreover, I still don’t know about Karina’s condition or if she’s even alive. Although the doctors didn’t say anything serious, I think they would have informed me by now. At the very least, Koretsky would have called, but he is silent too. And Marina’s last words about him being to blame keep me restless.
Marina is brought in about ten minutes after us, and the girl enters looking pale. I notice how she trembles, even though she is in safety.
- Marina, please sit down. Would you like some tea or coffee? - Amanda approaches her and sits beside her on the couch. This makes the girl tense up even more.
- No, no, thank you, I won’t have anything. - Her voice trembles and breaks. Well, this conversation will be tough.
- Marina, you don’t have anything to worry about; I’ll take all the questions related to this situation on myself. - She shifts her gaze from me to Amanda, as if searching for the slightest hint of a lie. Amanda takes her hand.
- Marina, I’m grateful for what you’ve done. Just for not passing by. I will always be thankful for it, so you can be assured. No matter what happens, we will help you, I promise you that. - I watch as the secretary’s body slowly relaxes, so I retrieve whiskey from the cabinet and pour two glasses. Amanda doesn’t really like it because I don’t give her a glass. I still can’t get used to the fact that she can drink now. The thought that the baby is no longer here pierces my heart. This makes me very uneasy; I can’t breathe. I try to collect myself, but all my thoughts return to that fateful night when the doctor came out and said, unfortunately, they couldn’t save the child.
So, I pour a third glass, and we continue discussing how to proceed. It’s been decided that Marina will temporarily live in my country house, where she will always have security by her side. Firstly, the girl needs to rest, and secondly, it’s better not to show up in the city for now.
We don’t know when and how Karina’s father will start to show up. To find out about her condition, I called the hospital. The girl has regained consciousness; she has a head injury, but she will survive. The doctors said there was no danger to her life. I exhale and decide to call Koretsky because this worm is the one who can provide the latest news and sentiments.
Koretsky didn’t tell me anything useful. I hear from his voice that he knows something but doesn’t want to tell me. Well, fine, that little pig, I will deal with you later.