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When we left Victor’s House, Charlotte looked bereft. Her chickens were coming home to roost together, and I wasn’t pleased to see that.
When we stepped through the front door, I glanced back at our home, his house, and wondered how, or even if, our children might live there more harmoniously than their father had.
“Have you ever been happy in this house, Victor?”
“Only on the day I moved in and then ever since you arrived.”
“I think you’ve created a fresh start, honey.”
“By the gloomy look of my Mother, I think you’re right.”
Rania had prepared our exit, summoning the driver and security team while Kasimir spoke to Charlotte, undoubtedly arranging her safety. I felt sorry for a mother almost grieving, understanding the depth of love she had for all her kids, Victor included.
“Charlotte will recover, Victor. Your challenge is to ensure she doesn’t become consumed by a fiasco largely of her making.”
“If news of Mom purchasing a baby from the KGB comes out, she and I will be ruined.”
“Why would it affect you?”
“I become guilty and damaged goods by association. Gutter media would have a field day claiming I was a Russian agent.”
‘I guess most would not let the truth get in the way of a good story.”
“Exactly. Then, as the scandal spread, share prices would tumble, my portfolio would be wrecked, and a doom spiral would ensue.”
“Then we must deal with the problem before it reaches us.”
“Us?”
I patted my stomach and smiled, then he rubbed the same spot, laughing. The load was lightening, but it was a shame the same couldn’t be said for New York’s traffic.