Page 76 of Forced Marriage Vows

“Yes!”

“What’s your favorite one so we can watch?”

“SpongeBob,” he replies without missing a beat.

Anastasia rolls her eyes before shooting Sierra and me a smirk. “Of course it is.”

I watch them both as they disappear through the door. She wasn’t kidding when she said she liked kids. There’s a certain glow about her and I’m beyond grateful for how she’s handling this entire situation.

I lucked out with the woman I chose to marry.

“You’re in love with her,” Sierra says once we’re alone.

I arch an eyebrow. “And you know that how?”

“Please, anyone with eyes can tell,” she states. “You love her. I can’t say I blame you. She’s a wonderful woman. I’m happy for you, Mikhail. Truly.”

“Thanks,” I murmur. “Let’s talk about when I get to have him.”

“He’s not a toy, Morozova,” she says with a slight smile. “But I was thinking you could see him whenever you wanted during the week. I’m still not completely comfortable with him sleeping over, so we’ll have to work up to that. But once I am, he can sleepover on some weekends.”

I frown. That is so not what I had in mind.

“That doesn’t sound bad, but I doubt it’ll work long-term. Eventually, you’ll both have to move into the mansion.”

Her lips part in surprise. “You want to have your son, baby-mama-slash ex-girlfriend, and your wife living in the same home?”

“Anastasia won’t mind.”

“Be that as it may, you have to understand how weird that sounds. I’m not moving into your house, Mikhail.”

“I need to keep him safe. I can’t do that if Jalen is apart from me.”

She crosses her arms over her chest. “Then I think you’re going to have to figure out how because I’m not budging on this. He’ll spend a couple nights with you and nights with me as well. That’s how co-parenting works. I’m not moving in with you; that’s non-negotiable.”

A muscle throbs in the middle of my forehead. But I suppose we can revisit the matter later. For now, I’ll have to make do with ensuring her house and Jalen are heavily guarded at all times. When I establish myself fully as Pakhan, no one would dare to go after my son.

“Alright, that’s subject to change in the near future. We should also talk about money? I’m happy to cover all your living expenses for as long as is needed. Both you and Jalen.”

Sierra blinks. “Wow, that was the richest, snobbiest thing statement ever.”

“Excuse me?”

She rolls her eyes. “I don’t need your money, Mikhail.”

“I’m going to take care of my son,” I say firmly.

She considers that for a couple of moments. “You don’t need to pay for our living expenses. I have a job; I’ve got that quite handled. But you’re free to buy him whatever you think he might need. And when he starts school, you could cover his tuition if you’d like.”

“I’d like.”

She smiles. “Would you look at that. Maybe we’ll get through this without me wanting to murder you, after all.”

“Don’t hold your breath, Colby.”

When she and Jalen leave later that evening, I get a hug from him before they go.

“I’ll have another puzzle ready next time you come around, buddy.”

---