with an uncontrollable twitch. His clenched fist, resting on the table, was white-knuckled, the bones pressing hard

against the wood. “What did you just say?”

Nathan, too consumed by his own nerves to notice the storm brewing in Damon, repeated his question hastily: “I

said, could Anya possibly be your daughter with Yulia?”

He couldn’t finish his sentence before a solid punch collided with his face. His nose felt like it was about to shatter.

“Damn it.” Nathan clutched his throbbing nose, bending over and tears streamed down his face. It wasn’t the pain

that made him cry. It was totally sheer reflex.

Damon had no sympathy for him, stepping closer as Nathan stumbled back, pleading. “Hold on, hold on, man, this

really sucks.”

Anya, perched on the table, blinked her wide eyes, not quite grasping the situation. She’d assumed they were just

messing around.d1

As she turned to follow Nathan’s retreat, confusion clouded her gaze. When she saw the blood trickling between

Nathan’s fingers, she let out a startled yelp. “Don’t be mean to Nathan.”

Anya scrambled to her feet, flailing her little arms, jumping anxiously on the table.

Nathan, noticing the blood gushing from his nose and Damon still fuming, backed away, looking for an escape. “I

was just asking. Just tell me yes or no. Even if she is your daughter, I wouldn’t tell Chloe, man.”

Damon’s face went from dark to downright thunderous.

Nathan sighed desperately, nearly in tears as Damon closed in on him.

“We’re blood, man. If I keep mum and you keep mum, and Yulia keeps mum, Chloe will never have to know. We’re

right? What’s yours

shut his eyes tight, took a step forward, and grabbed Nathan

gut.

yours…” He paused, his entire body tensed, his lips pressed

him with Yulia sent him into a rage,

could he

stay cool. I messed up,

to suppress the fury inside. He raised his eyes, and those dark,

shivers down

does Anya really look like you? I’m just being realistic here. Isn’t it better to know if there’s any

of your wild days?”

you brain-dead? She looks like me? Have you ever considered who

then took a deep breath. “You’re not suggesting that

teeth grinding was all

skin crawled. “Can I… can I go clean up this bloody mess?” He figured if

make it

cold stare

his courage, Nathan gently grasped Damon’s wrist and nudged it aside. “You don’t want the blood

those pristine hands.”

“The smell, man. You don’t want Chloe to catch

you?”

and Nathan seized

run with

alone in the study. Damon also turned around, his

meeting Anya’s wide-eyed look.

the brim.

toward her, Anya burst into

volume of a child’s sudden crying had an indescribable piercing power.

chatting when Anya’s cries startled them. Realizing

upstairs.

here. I’ll check on

advised Chloe with care, and she was already on

heed Yulia’s advice and followed. Yulia slowed to

belly.

Anya’s

up in unison, pausing. Chloe’s eyes widened in surprise

the other wiping away her tears with an awkward tenderness. She realized it might be

Damon holding a child, and

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