Page 115 of Queen’s Gambit

“Can Lilya play tomorrow?”

“Sure, do you two want to go to the park?”

“Yes,” they squealed and started chatting excitedly.

They were adorable together and looked just enough alike with Sabastian’s dark brown hair and blue eyes that, at this age, we could pull off the twins lie.

“Are you ready,” Christov asked.

“No, I thought I’d just come down dressed up for fun.”

“Is this how it’s going to be all night?”

“You tell me. Why is she coming to an event where we’re supposed to be seen as a couple?”

“I have a name,” Alina said.

“I don’t care,” I said, not bothering to look at her. I stared at Christov, waiting for a response.

“She’s coming as our nanny to look after the children.”

“I don’t need a nanny.”

“Yulianna, for once, can you not turn everything into an argument?”

I glanced at Alina and Christov, then shook my head.

“Fine, but tomorrow I take the kids to the park, alone. I have no interest in hanging around either of you.”

Alina took a step forward like she was going to argue, but Christov grabbed her arm.

“That seems fair.”

“Then let’s go.”

Leaving the house, the kids raced outside for the limousine and scrambled through the open door. The ride to the theater would’ve been deathly quiet and awkward if it weren’t for Lilya and Sabastian playing and laughing. We pulled up in front and there was already a crowd gathered outside in their most expensive outfits.

“Yulianna, come here. You’ll get out with me,” Christov said, and Alina’s face darkened.

Sliding closer and taking a deep breath to prepare myself for this performance, I reminded myself that Eddie and I were almost in the clear. He was now a Don and well on his way to becoming a Don of Dons. The second that happened, I was out of here.

Christov got out and offered me his arm. I smiled as I stepped out, and the only reason I trusted Alina with Lilya was because Vlad would never leave her alone. When I glanced back, Alina looked as miserable as a cut dog. She followed us, holding hands with the children.

Christov’s father spotted us when we walked through the grand doors and walked over. He was already well on his way to having too much to drink. His eyes were glassy, and his cheeks resembled the painted face of the massive wooden nutcracker by the door.

“There you all are. How wonderful to see you out in public together. I hate that we see eachother so little,” Mr. Ivankov senior said before his eyes landed on Alina. He tried to hide it, but Christov’s father knew who Alina was and who she was to his son.

“I see you brought the help. You couldn’t have brought someone more suitable to care for the children? This one is only good for laying on her back,” he grumbled under his breath.

It was a damn good thing that I didn’t have a drink because it would’ve been all over the floor.

“Father,” Christov growled.

For a split second, I felt sorry for Alina. I didn’t like her, but I would never bully her like this over her station or lack thereof. Poking at Christov about it was a completely other story.

Mr. Ivankov senior ignored his son and turned to me.

“Yulianna, you grow more beautiful every time I see you.”