Caleb took a deep breath.
Not demonstratively. Not theatrically.
Just the way strong men breathe when they’re gathering themselves.
I looked at him slightly from below — and in that moment he seemed both enormous and uncertain. Strength in his shoulders. Stubbornness in the line of his jaw. And something almost boyish in the way he avoided my eyes.
I smiled.
He must have been like this as a kid — strong and stubborn, but with eyes you couldn’t refuse.
I slowly ruffled his hair.
Final.
Like signing a name.
Like saying: that’s it, the game has begun.
“Ready?”
He lowered his eyes.
His throat twitched.
He muttered something — quiet, indistinct, as if the words didn’t want to come out. In that mumbling there was agreement, doubt, and his usual stubbornness.
I laughed.
Ready. Of course he’s ready.
He just needed to live through that moment fully — under my fingers, under my gaze.
And he did.

Caleb’s family estate.

“Hi.”
“Hi.”
His mother — a woman with the kindest soul. The kind people call “quiet holiness.” In her eyes — constant anxiety. Maybe she drinks. Maybe she just lives on nerves.
Because Caleb’s father…
He looks like a military man.
Not by rank.
By level of tyranny.
“He’s just a fucking prick,” Hades drawled lazily.
“Yeah. Exactly.”
He sat at the head of the table. Straight back. Stone face. Control in every crease of his shirt.
You could tell immediately — he was a real piece of shit.
“So, Jess, how was your day?” I tried to smooth the edges.
“Thank you, you’re so kind, my day—”
“Pass the bread,” Caleb’s father barked.
No “please.”
No eye contact.
Like an order.
My stomach tightened into a knot.
I know that sound.
I know that rhythm.
When a man doesn’t raise his voice — he asserts power.
When a woman stays silent — she’s not agreeing. She’s surviving.
When you’re sitting at the table
and you understand — you’re not allowed to contradict.
Even if technically no one is shutting your mouth.
Damn it.
What a piece of shit. The way he talks to her.
She passed the bread silently. Quickly. Almost invisibly. Like someone who knows — don’t slow the movement or there will be consequences.
I looked at Caleb.
He sat there with the face of a man who genuinely believes
everything here is exactly how it should be.
Father is right.
The world makes sense.
Calm. Unshaken.
Not a trace of protest.
I clenched my fists until my nails dug into my palms.
“D-don’t argue with the military man, woman,” Hades hid behind the couch, dying of fear.
I tried to exhale.
Slowly.
Through my nose.
But the air got stuck somewhere between my chest and my throat.
Awareness hit me like an arrow.
He doesn’t see this as cruelty.
He sees it as order.
To him, this isn’t tyranny.
It’s structure.
I swallowed.
Caleb didn’t just grow up in this house.
He was shaped by it.
Pull yourself together. It’s too early — my brain warned.
I nodded.
“Jess?”
She smiled.
But the smile was like a cracked porcelain cup.
Her hands were shaking.
Her lips were trembling.
God… she was shaking all over.
I swallowed again.
Watch her — my brain ordered.
There were tiny bruises on her arms.
You piece of shit. You absolute piece of shit.
What a vile piece of shit. What he’s done to her.
Caleb kept eating.
Calmly.
Methodically.
As if he saw nothing.
As if this were background noise. Normal. Everyday life.
I clenched my fists again.
Sit down. Not yet — my brain ordered.
“M-my day… I planted flowers…”
“No one cares about that, Jess,” Caleb’s father cut her off.
It flared up instantly. Brakes gone. Safety off.
“You asshole. The way you speak to her — are you out of your mind? I care. Do you understand? I care how her day was.”
Fucking asshole.
“Woman, he’s going to kill us!” Hades shrieked like a madman.
Silence fell.
The father froze.
For a fraction of a second.
Then he slowly shifted his gaze to Caleb.
Not to me.
To his son.
No translation needed.
“Put your woman in her place.”
Heat flooded my chest.
Oh, is that so.
I turned to Caleb.
Now.
This is the moment.
But he didn’t lift his eyes immediately.
Only after a pause — a brief glance.
“Sweetheart, please sit down.”
That was his choice.
Oh, is that so…
I stood up from the table in fury.
The chair crashed to the floor.
I walked over to Jess. Took her hand.
“Jess, come with me.”
She looked at me in confusion, then at her husband, then at her son.
The father kept eating.
As if nothing had happened.
As if it were just noise.
I shot Caleb a furious look.
He failed.
In my eyes,
he was no longer a predator.
No longer strength.
The boy who never stepped out from under someone else’s control.
A kid who can’t protect his own mother.
A coward.

I took Jess — and we drove straight to a bar.
Two blocks down.
I looked at her. She was still shaking. Fingers locked together. Lips pressed tight.
Then I turned sharply.
“Jess, damn it, you’re beautiful. Maybe we get you a new dress?”
She blinked, confused.
“I don’t know… I think my husband wouldn’t approve…”
Then I’ll explain to that asshole exactly what he can and can’t approve.
“Uh… try not to think about that…”
“Well?”
She was shaking.
But she nodded.
I lit up.
It hadn’t even been an hour
when Caleb stormed in.
The door flew open.
He found us instantly.
“Sweetheart,” he said through his teeth, “you can’t do this.”
I turned to him slowly.
“Oh, really? What, you came here to dominate? Funny — you’re not that brave at home.”
Caleb flushed. From anger. From the fact that I said it out loud. In public.
“Darling, I’m not used to being spoken to like that.”
I stepped toward him and shoved him in the chest.
“And I’m not fucking used to dating cowards. So shut your mouth and sit there like a kitten. And don’t you dare say one word to your mother.”
I looked at Jess.
Poor woman. Still trembling. Shoulders tight. Hands clasped.
I moved closer to Caleb. Almost chest to chest. Leaned toward his ear.
“If you’re planning to fuck me — you’d better try harder. Until you stand up to your father, don’t come near me.”
I pulled back.
He stood there breathing hard. Jaw tight. Eyes darkening.
“You don’t understand—” he began.
“No. You don’t understand,” I cut him off. “I’m not sleeping with a man who’s afraid of his own father.”
Caleb lifted his eyes.
Rage surged through me.
“Don’t you dare look at me. You’re not even worthy of being near me. You’re a coward. A weak little man.”
“Go to hell, coward.”
“I despise you.”
He dropped his gaze.
I was so furious
I grabbed a hanger and struck him across the face.
“Piece of shit!”
“Go to hell.”
Caleb left with his head down.
I shook my head.
Stepped back.
As if someone had just hit me.
Stop.
I know what’s happening.
I became his father.
Same tone.
Same pressure.
Same certainty.
Exactly the way his father puts him in his place.
I froze.
The air felt heavier.
Stop.
I exhaled slowly.
Deeper.
Then that’s how it’s meant to be.
The spirits are leading me.
I’m not here by accident.
His poor mother had backed herself into the corner of the fitting area like a schoolgirl caught doing something wrong. Shoulders raised. Eyes on the floor.
It flared up in me again.
“Damn it!” I barked at the salesgirls. “This is a boutique! What, you don’t have any drinks?!”
Two girls flinched and instantly started moving.
“Right away… right away…”
They rushed back with champagne. The glasses clinked.
Finally.
I took a glass and handed one to Jess.
“Drink.”
She took it with trembling hands.
Poor thing.
And then — not even ten minutes later —
the military man stormed in.
Fuck.
The doors burst open with a bang like he was storming a barracks.
I instantly stepped forward and hid Jess behind me.
He was furious. Face flushed red. Eyes glassy.
“She’s coming with me!”
“Ha. That’s not happening, old man.”
My security closed ranks. Calm. Precise. No panic.
I raised an eyebrow.
I stuck my tongue out at him — and then flipped him off.
He exploded.
“You fucking bitch!”
Caleb must have sensed his father was about to kill us.
He appeared again.
Disheveled. Shaken.
“Is he on drugs?” Hades hid under the couch. “I wouldn’t go at his old man without coke.”
I waved him off.
I was in full defense mode.
Mike trained me well.
Even without security,
I could immobilize him.
And Caleb’s father’s age was showing too.
I felt the adrenaline.
Arms slightly out.
Body tight.
Eyes locked forward.
I was furious.
But it was cold fury.
I will protect his mother to the last drop of blood.
If this piece of shit wants a fight, he’ll get one.
“Caleb, shut this bitch up! What are you letting her do?!”
I looked at Caleb.
He lowered his gaze.
I swallowed.
If I have to kill them both,
I’ll go all the way.
I’m not handing her over to these bastards.
Caleb knew he couldn’t win. He loves me too much.
“Dad, you can’t—”
The military man swung at him.
“What the hell are you saying?! Shut this bitch up! Is this what I taught you? You’re acting like a woman! She’s got you wrapped around her finger! What are you now, a girl?! Be a man — put her in her place!”
“Do it!” he roared so hard the air shook.
Help him — my brain ordered.
No. I believe in him. He can do this himself.
And then Nate stormed in.
Fuuuuuck.
What is he doing here?
Hysterical laughter broke out of me. It wasn’t funny. But hysteria took over.
Nate hit Caleb. Caleb hit him back.
Jesus Christ.
I signaled Mike to get Caleb’s father out of here
and to separate the guys.
But they were already fighting for real.
Nate, furious, started beating Caleb. Caleb flipped him and slammed his head against the display window.
“You done yet?” Hades asked.
“I’m in the middle of it.”
God, this is wrong. You can’t do this.
But all my inner voices grabbed popcorn.
Two hot men fighting.
My legs cramped.
God, if only I didn’t have to choose.
I’d sleep with both of them.
“Wow. You’re such a slut,” Hades said.
“No kidding,” I replied.
And we bumped fists.
Then I rushed headlong toward the exit, dragging Caleb’s mother with me.
Security pulled the guys apart.
I tried to breathe deeper.
God, they’re so damn hot.
Both Nate and Caleb jumped straight into a fight without hesitation.
Oh, this testosterone.
God.
Pull yourself together, Nazokat — Hades.
And that was just in time.
While security was distracted
and I was thinking about how to sleep with both of them,
Caleb’s father punched me in the face.
Everything went dark.
Blood and pain blinded me completely.
I saw him dragging Caleb’s mother by the arm.
The light went out.
I blacked out.

5:16
I woke up in the hospital.
Nate was pacing in circles like a shark.
Nervous. Already patched up with bandages.
I smiled.
And I instantly remembered why I fell in love with this guy.
The anesthesia was still hitting me.
I reached toward Nate.
“Baby…”
Nate ran over and grabbed my hands.
“Sweetheart.
Kitten.”
Tears were running down his face.
“My dear…”
He was kissing my hands.
I almost died of shame.
While Nate worships me, I’m sleeping with Caleb.
“Hey, we’re not just sleeping with Caleb. We love him. Or something like that,” Mushu said.
Hades choked on popcorn. “I told you Nate’s the right guy.”
“What?!” I stared in fury. “Weren’t you the first one telling me to dump him?”
He shrugged. “You were under anesthesia. You don’t remember shit.”
And suddenly I snapped.
That bastard, that piece of shit — Caleb’s father. How dare that asshole raise his hand against me.
“Uh, I’m no expert, but Caleb’s not exactly a saint either,” Hades said.
A chill ran down my spine. What if Caleb picked up that same behavior model? What if he starts raising his hand against us too?
I brushed it off. There was something else to deal with right now.
I got out of bed and started pacing back and forth.
Think, think, Nazokat. Focus. You missed something.
I looked at Nate.
God, I love this guy so much. Sitting there with his head down. He stayed here until I woke up. I wouldn’t be surprised if he forgave me right now.
Tears started running down my face.
Pull yourself together. You didn’t break up with him for no reason. Don’t let emotions fog your head — my brain.
I shook my head.
Right.
I didn’t break up with Nate on impulse. I made that decision. And even this touching moment changes nothing. Nate objectively neglected me. And with that kind of thing, I don’t hesitate.
“Yeah, but he’s a damn firefighter!” Hades shouted and spat.
Instinctively, I spat too.
 And then I caught myself.
Damn, you’re such an idiot.
I flipped him off.
Don’t fall apart.
Don’t fall apart, Nazokat.
Nate is beautiful as a god. A sad god, sitting here in sorrow.
Damn.
“Uh… maybe we comfort him?” Ursula licked her lips.
I swallowed.
The thought hit me.
Where’s Caleb?
If he finds out I’m alone with Nate, I won’t be able to justify anything.
Mushu put on glasses. I quote, darling:
“You’re a freak. A weakling. You’re dead to me. I despise you. You’re a loser. And I’ll poison you.”
I grimaced.
Right. The poison part was last time.
But the rest sounds about right.
I ran a hand through my hair.
These guys are so damn cunning.
Nate clearly heard what I said about Caleb. But even if he didn’t, he knows perfectly well I don’t tolerate weakness.
“And he’s here…” Hades prompted.
I straightened up instantly.
Yeah. That bastard isn’t here out of pity. He’s planning to win me back. And he’ll play dirty.
Caleb, even with all his force, won’t get past Sam’s security. They won’t let him in.
And Nate probably has security too.
Damn.
I cursed.
Nate walked toward me.
A jacket in his hands.
Bruised — but still so beautiful, oh God.
I felt the ground slipping from under my feet.
Call the bulls — my brain ordered.
Right.
Guys!
They rushed in immediately.
“Sweetheart—”
“No.
Guys, take him out.”
As soon as the door closed, I bit down on my fist as hard as I could and screamed from the pain like a madwoman.
Shower.
Right.
I stood under an icy stream.
The water snapped me back instantly.
“Your nipples are hard,” Hades said.
“I know, I know.”
God, I need to distract myself.
Don’t think about sex. Don’t think about sex. Don’t think, Nazokat. Damn it.
Okay. Okay.
I dried my hair with a towel.
The room still smells like Nate.
Aaaah.
God, damn these men.
I want sex so badly.
“Mom?”
Fuck.
I turned around sharply and forced a smile.
“You look like the Joker,” Hades said.
In fact, that’s exactly how it was. After the shower, my makeup had run, and my smile looked like a psycho’s.
“God, what are you doing here?”
“Dad brought us.”
Ah. Dad.
I see.
“Guys, I—”
Carmen raised her hand.
Like, Mom, we know.
“Yeah, they already know. They’re not new to having a messed-up mom,” Hades and Mushu bumped fists.
I put on a poker face.
“My dear children, how are you?”
Carmen sat down with the face of a grown woman.
“Yeah, sure. She’s been through enough shit,” Hades snorted, doubling over. “Ask the abandoned kid.”
I kicked the couch.
“Asshole!”
“Carmen, sweetheart, how are you?”
“I’m fine, Mom. If you don’t mind, I’ll only stay a bit. Uncle Josh and I are preparing for negotiations.”
My jaw dropped.
“Negotiations?”
Damn.
“Mom, don’t swear. It’s not appropriate,” Rosie said.
“What a pain in the ass,” Hades muttered.
“Sorry, sweetheart. You’re right.”
Roman waited his turn.
“Mom,” he looked at me seriously.
I straightened up.
“Baby,” I held out my arms for a hug.
“Mom, I’m already big.”
A tear rolled down my cheek.
“Of course. Of course.”
I remembered rocking him in my arms, kissing him, crying with him when we were doing tests. Back then I was the beloved mother — the one who had to be there to see him jump into the snow, sculpt with clay. And now I’m the mother who’s too affectionate.
I see.
I understand.
I’ll try to pull myself together.
“Mom?”
“Yes, sweetheart.”
He seemed to soften and—
My son hugged me.
I cried. How many more times will he hug me before he turns into a grown asshole who’s always too busy because he’s working?
“But he’s still here. He hasn’t grown up yet,” Pocahontas said.
I gave a faint smile.
“Carmen, Rosie, can I hug you?”
And all the kids climbed onto my lap.
My heart ached. Logan isn’t here.
Well, I’m not his mother. He doesn’t have to run here headlong.
“A mother isn’t the one who gave birth, but the one who—” Hades and Mushu doubled over laughing.
I shook my head. “You little bastards.”
We turned on Home Alone.
With the kids around me, I ordered security to bring all the junk kids love — sweets, juice, pastries.
Today I’m not about rules. Today I’m just relaxed.
The door flew open and I straightened up.
“Finally, they brought the food.”
The girls screamed.
“Logan!”
Tears started pouring down my face.
“Logan!”
He rushed to hug me.
“Mom.”
I completely broke down.
It had been almost five months since Logan’s mother died and I officially adopted him.
And he had asked if he could call me Mom.
I thought I had gone to heaven and been reborn.
I hugged him as tightly as my strength allowed.
“My boy…”
Logan held me and was shaking.
He’s so sensitive. Such a kind boy.
Protect him — the spirits.
I’m trying, guys. I really am.
I’m trying so hard to be a worthy mother.
For the kids — I just fell and hit my head.
No one told them what really happened.
Security pushed the beds together.
All my kids and I were here, Home Alone on the screen.
All over the room — junk food everywhere.
While they watched TV,
I quietly cried.
God, whatever happens, my children are with me.
They’re here. Alive and healthy.
Thank you, God. Thank you.
My phone beeped.
A message from Caleb.
I’ve cut all ties with my father.
But I didn’t see the message.
The phone was in my bag.
I was laughing at the burglars in that stupid but kind movie.