For almost two weeks I sat like a nun, faithful, waiting for Caleb to recover.
Finally he’s back on his feet.
Phew.
Strong again.
Confident again.
Somehow Caleb managed to recover just in time for the 21st.
Already the night before I started feeling nauseous.
I hate this kind of thing.
Despite all the endless moving forward,
something inside me is terribly afraid of changes in people.
And now Caleb decided to introduce me to his circle.
I tried to breathe.
I haven’t gathered the information yet.
I know nothing about these people.
Damn.
I felt like I was walking there naked and unprepared.
I hate that.
I’ll have to work in overdrive — scan everyone, build a file on each of them,
and at the same time play the role of “I’m so happy to see you all.”
Aaaah.
Just kill me.
But there’s no choice.
I’ll have to go anyway.
I put on a corset, panties, stockings,
and over it a simple floor-length dress.
Caleb came up from behind
and gently kissed my neck.
I turned to him.
He kissed me again.
I bit my lip
and pulled him closer.
Caleb suddenly became serious.
“Darling. Business first.”
I pouted.
God, this Caleb is so serious.
Just a nightmare.
“Don’t pout, little mouse.”
I waved him off.
“Then go away.”
I started putting on my lipstick.
Damn this Caleb — he’s handsome as a god
with that haircut of his.
And his scent… God, what is that?
Is that Dior?
Or Tom Ford?
What the hell do they even put in there?
Maybe there’s a dismembered man inside the bottle.
I don’t know, but the smell is insane.
I finished my lipstick and saw Caleb in the mirror.
I blushed all over.
“God, stop looking at me.”
He adjusted his cufflinks.
Nooo, Caleb, no.
His gaze turned heavy.
Hungry.
No, Caleb, no.
But my smile gave me away.
“Caleb…”
I started stepping back.
“No.”
“Mouse, that’s not for you to decide.”
I laughed.
“Caleb, leave me alone.”
And I ran down the stairs.
Caleb slowly followed me.
I quickly jumped into the Jaguar.
Phew.
But I was shaking all over.
I get terribly nervous with games like this.
I don’t know how to play like Caleb does.
He is cunning and cold.
I’m kind. I don’t know how to lie.
Caleb calmly got into the car
and stared out the window.
While the Jaguar was driving, everything inside me tightened up.
I fidgeted like a schoolgirl.
He had something in mind, and I couldn’t understand where the hit would come from.
And suddenly the car stopped.
I looked around.
It was so dark everywhere.
“Caleb, why did we stop?”
I became terribly scared.
Mike got out of the car.
I started to panic.
“Caleb, did something happen?”
“Yeah.”
I tried to look outside, but it was useless — it was dark, nothing could be seen.
And the windows were tinted.
Oh my God.
Caleb moved closer to me.
I pushed him away.
“Caleb, what happened? I’m really worried.”
Caleb turned me toward him.
“I asked them to stop the car.”
I stared at him.
“Why?”
Caleb kissed me.
The seats reclined even further.
And then it hit me.
Wait.
You bastard!
Bastard!
I started hitting him with my handbag.
“Scoundrel!”
Caleb sat there, serious.
Shameless.
“Caleb, how much you love winning!”
“You’re insane!”
“DON’T EVEN HOPE.”
“Got it?”
Caleb nodded.
Then he turned me again and kissed me.
“Come on, Caleb…”
I wasn’t so sober anymore.
His scent was clouding my mind.
“Stop.”
He kissed my neck, my collarbones.
I howled.
Why does he always win?
Caleb laughed.
“Little angel.”
I hesitated slightly.
“Caleb, I don’t want it here.”
He nodded and got out of the car.
Then he opened the door for me.
The Jaguar drove forward and disappeared around the corner.
Caleb immediately became himself again.
He started kissing me greedily.
I laughed.
“You’re crazy.”
He pressed me against the trunk of a tree.
I cried out.
“Ow!”
Caleb carefully covered me with his jacket.
I smiled.
His hand found my breast.
My legs gave out again…

Caleb carried me to the Jaguar.
I felt like I was drunk.
I didn’t even care anymore what kind of people would be there.
A woman drunk on love and passion.
What could be better?
The restaurant
The restaurant was more like some kind of hall.
It looked exactly the way rich asses like it.
My stomach twisted. I hate all this show-off.
What boredom.
Come on, Nazokat. Smile and behave like a good girl.
I nodded to myself.
Caleb positioned the guys around the hall.
Michael didn’t leave my side for even a step.
I kissed him on the cheek.
“Thank you, darling, but with a pit bull like Caleb next to me, the only one who could approach me would be a suicide bomber.”
Caleb, as always, was angry as hell.
“Don’t stand so close to her!”
Michael stepped a little aside.
I rolled my eyes.
Oh my God, Caleb.
But he held my arm in a dead grip.
I sighed languidly.
Well, what can I do. I chose him — now I have to live with his oddities.
Finally we reached the table — VIP over VIP, super VIP, the most VIP of all VIPs.
Good Lord.
I smiled
and sat down at the table.
Caleb introduced me to his acquaintances.
Business partners.
Mentors.
And other rich bastards.
From their disgusting little smiles
my back started sweating.
My whole body was screaming:
Run from here. These are not our people.
But I tried to be a good girl and support Caleb.
These bastards clearly adore themselves.
Everyone had veneers and perfectly even tans.
The wives smiled on command.
Their faces looked unnatural.
Botox. Facelifts.
Everyone smiling fake smiles.
On their wrists — rare Omegas,
Patek Philippe,
and Cartier.
I suppressed the nausea again.
“So what do you do?”
“Me?”
“Is it just me, or is she examining us while we speak?” — Hades.
“And not just her. They’re all staring.” — Mushu.
I blushed.
It felt humiliating.
First of all, even before we left for this evening, I had argued with Caleb.
Because apparently “people of our circle don’t wear things like that.”
It turned out there was a dress code measured in numbers and zeros — how much exactly your outfit costs.
I chose a local designer.
A very lovely floor-length dress
embroidered with ethnic patterns.
And because it didn’t have a big label, Caleb almost choked.
But I stayed true to myself and wore my dress anyway.
And now all these bastards were openly examining me
as if I could only be measured in clothes and yachts.
I was starting to boil.
I was fed up with this.
I tolerate this only for Caleb. Only for him.
“I work as…”
I wanted to tell the truth, but obviously nobody cared.
This was just small talk.
“I’m a sailor on a ship.”
Caleb choked on his champagne.
The others widened their eyes.
A vein bulged on Caleb’s forehead.
Inside I was burning with laughter.
And I continued.
“We go to sea for half a year, sometimes a full year, depending on how much they pay. After all, an extra penny never hurts, you know.”
Caleb’s circle swallowed hard.
All of them, like robots, turned toward Caleb.
Their faces twisted.
It seemed to me they had stopped breathing.
Caleb laughed awkwardly.
And under the table he grabbed my hand.
“Darling, why like this? People might not understand your joke.”
And they all relaxed.
Together, like one big exhale.
Terribly fake.
I stretched a polite smile.
Like, yes yes, just a little joke.
A waiter passed nearby and I took a drink.
The evening would turn out more fun than I expected.
“So what do you actually do?”
“Tell her you inject Botox. She’ll collapse with joy.” — Hades.
I bit my lip not to laugh.
Then I raised my hand — like, one second.
And I drank the champagne in one gulp.
All those bastards’ eyes started twitching.
“Ooooh, great booze!”
I slapped the waiter on the ass.
“Bring more!”
He froze.
I didn’t look at Caleb — it was obvious already that he was furious.
My logic was simple: I’m going to get in trouble anyway, so we might as well enjoy ourselves.
I drank another glass standing.
Then I smashed it on the floor.
“Ooooh, great booze you have here!”
Everyone at the table twisted with disgust and again mechanically looked at Caleb, like: this is your famous intellectual?
“And where did you meet?” — some woman, maybe Caitlin or Violet or whatever her name was.
They all look the same here.
“Ooooh.”
I bloomed.
“It’s so romantic.”
“I was working as a stripper in a bar back then.”
The faces of everyone present — including the women — turned white.
“So anyway,” I continued as if nothing had happened.
“So I’m dancing, you know, and Caleb walks in…”
“Little mouse, can I talk to you?” — Caleb, red with anger, grabbed me by the elbow and dragged me to the restroom.
Along the way I pretended to apologize.
“I’m very sorry for the show.”
“You fucking bastards.”

Restroom
“What are you doing?!”
I straightened up.
“Don’t you dare speak to me like that!”
Caleb tried to pull himself together.
I straightened again.
“Caleb, once again — don’t hiss at me like that.”
“Calm down first and then speak.”
Caleb clenched his fists.
“Darling, these people… I work with them. You’re humiliating me.”
Big warm eyes filled with tears.
Full lips started trembling.
And I began to cry.
What a bastard.
“These empty, inflated assholes and all this prestige mean so much to you that you force me to play a role?”
“If you’re such a bastard that you choose to deal with people like this — then I don’t choose that life.”
“Darling…” Caleb softened a little.
“I work with them. I have no choice.”
I smirked.
“Caleb…”
Then I waved it off — what’s the point of saying the obvious.
Caleb forced himself to speak.
It was a nightmare how hard it was for him to ask.
It looked like I was asking him to walk out naked.
“Darling…”
“Please explain it to me. I don’t understand.”
I exhaled.
“Caleb, it’s not about these people. It’s about your priority, do you understand?”
“You can make money in any way you want. But you chose to be connected with this circle.”
“Caleb, that’s your choice, not an accident. So let’s not play the victim.”
He lowered his eyes.
“I’m tired of this. I’m leaving.”
Caleb immediately came alive.
“But where? Where will you go?!”
“I don’t know. I’ll take the kids and all my people and we’ll go to some shabby bar where people are simple and alive, Caleb.”
I froze.
“You know, Caleb, you’ll have to make a choice.”
“I, my dear, do not fit into your world.”
“But my angel—”
Caleb rushed to me.
And again he dropped to his knees.
“Darling…”
“You heard me.”
I made a gesture to the security.
The mansion
“Miss?”
“Yes, I know, I’m early.”
And I hugged Sebastian.
He was like a father to me.
Kind and warm.
“You remember that your real father is a pedophile?!” — Hades.
I waved it off.
“Of course I remember. That’s why I invented a new father for myself. Here he is — my real dad. Kind, caring, and the best.”
“Yeah… someone needs therapy.” — Hades.
Sebastian kissed the top of my head.
“Tea, miss?”
“Mm-hmm.”
Wait — I came to pick up my people.
“Sebastian…” — I folded my hands like in prayer.
He smiled.
“Right away, miss.”
A couple of minutes later they brought me a microphone.
I marched into the dining room.
Mine stared at me.
I shouted into the microphone:
“Attention! Attention! If my family is in this house, please evacuate immediately and get dressed — we are going to a cheap shabby bar!”
“Attention! Attention! No pushing, no rushing — I’ll be waiting for everyone!”
Jonathan exchanged a look with the chess player.
And Cody with Aaron.
I yelled:
“Come on! Don’t abandon me, guys!”
Everyone shrugged and went to get ready.
I burst into tears.
We hadn’t been this close in a long time.
All these things with Nate.
And Caleb with his endless pressure.
We hadn’t gathered together properly for a long time.
But family is family.
When the moment comes — you simply show up and stand together.
I stood in the doorway.
Sebastian was hugging me warmly, like a father.
Mike stood nearby — my protector, my support.
The kids were arguing about who would wear what.
Tears were running down my cheeks.
My God…
Isn’t this happiness?

The bar
The bar was completely ordinary.
Terribly, terribly simple.
I changed on purpose.
I don’t want to wear all those outfits that scream I’m above you.
The kids put on whatever they wanted.
Except Philip and Roman — those two always love dressing up.
I wrapped my arm around Jonathan’s waist.
“Hi, dear.”
He smiled.
“Please don’t work today.”
He nodded gently and slipped the phone into his pocket.
I could feel how tense he was.
Jonathan always protects me.
Even the security never gave him a chance to relax.
I shrugged.
Well, perfect.
Mike.
Jonathan.
Josh.
Aaron.
And seven security guards.
Woman — you are definitely protected.
And I laughed.
How did it happen that the most desired women must be guarded like the Crown Jewels?
And it’s not like I provoke anyone.
I don’t send signals.
I try not to look vulgar.
And still…
If there isn’t at least some man next to me,
there will always be someone who doesn’t even need air — as long as he can get to me.
My God…
People are sometimes simply insane.
“So how’s your farmer?” — Hades.
I laughed.
Right.
Of course.
I had to choose such a lunatic as a partner.
I waved it off.
Now all my people are here,
and I intend to relax for real.
“Miss, everything is secure.
Potentially dangerous areas are covered and guarded.
We will accompany you anywhere in the building.
Please do not leave without informing us.”
I nodded and kissed him on the cheek once again.
“Thank you, my dear.”
Michael wiped away a tear.
And I hugged him.
The moment was incredibly touching.
Michael and I were connected by more than friendship — we were family.
A real family.
I helped him when he lost his job.
I promoted him to head of security.
And when he and his wife were having difficulties,
Nate and I opened an account in their name, and now Michael’s family lives very peacefully.
The income from their investments allows them to live comfortably and raise their children without worrying about money.
Michael is such a good man.
He gave almost all the money to his wife, even after the divorce.
At first I worried about him, but everything turned out for the best.
Now he is with Jess.
I wiped away my tears.
Michael straightened up.
“I love you, my dear.
Everything will be fine. Don’t worry.”
He nodded.
I went to join the dancing.
The bar was full of sailors.
Just off the ship.
Someone shouted in the crowd.
And the whole bar exploded.
Home Free — Sea Shanty Medley
I shouted with joy.
Sailors are warm-hearted people.
Whiskey and beer started flowing like a river.
I laughed from the heart.
The boys — Matty, Philip, Roman,
and of course Logan — were jumping and dancing like little kids.
“Ta ta ta!”
“What do we do with a drunken sailor!”
I laughed.
Jonathan and I spun around together.
The sailors took turns inviting me to dance.
Their wives — simple, kind American women —
were drinking happily
and having fun.
The sailors whistled.
“Halleluj! Halleluj!
Santiana!
Oh way Santiana!”
I was shouting and squealing.
Logan wrapped his arm around my shoulders and we started stomping our feet to the rhythm.
I laughed so brightly.
My soul was glowing.
And my smile lit up the whole bar.
How wonderful it is to have money.
All these people surely had their dreams and hopes.
I asked Logan to lift me up.
He put me on his shoulders.
“Careful, Mom.”
I started crying.
I couldn’t believe this young man was my son.
How proud I was of him.
“Mom…”
He hugged me
and began to cry.
The sailors patted him on the back.
Everyone knew what love for a mother meant.
I calmed down a little
and kissed Logan on the cheek.
“My boy.
How proud I am of you — my pride.”
He beamed.
I took the microphone.
The sailors were quite drunk, red-faced.
“Santiana!
Hey we’ll go!
All the way to Mexico!”
I laughed.
“Guys!
Quiet, guys!”
The music stopped.
“Guys, today I’m a fairy.
Write down your wishes.
I’ll pay for whatever you ask.”
The bar exploded with laughter.
We drank,
and as if on command everyone smashed their beer mugs on the floor.
The wooden floor creaked sadly.
But the guys stood there, swaying heavily.
I raised my hand.
“Guys, I’m serious.
There’s no limit.”
“Write down your wishes.
I’ll write the checks.”
I was already pretty drunk myself.
Hiccuping and happy.
I sat down on the stage.
The sailors came up one by one.
Tears were running down my face.
No one asked for stupid Omega watches or a Chanel suit.
No.
These simple, kind people
asked for something for someone else.
How deeply it moved me.
Nothing for themselves.
Everything for their loved ones.
Help their children with loans.
Help neighbors whose house had burned down.
Help organize a proper funeral for a friend.
And things like that.
Only one guy asked for a Chanel dress for his wife.
She had always dreamed of it.
“For her? She looks like a barrel. Chanel doesn’t make dresses for women like that.” — Hades.
I burst out laughing.
So, the checks were written.
More than enough to cover all their requests — and still enough left to buy a house.
The music started again.
Beer began flowing like a river.
Damn.
I ran to the restroom.
I was throwing up.
Damn it, I hate cheap booze.
Everyone froze.
I came out pale but with a big victorious thumbs-up.
The bar exploded again.
The sailors lifted me into the air and carried me across the bar.
I laughed from the heart.
My heart felt like it was about to jump out of my chest.
Finally someone poured whiskey.
I drank it and smashed the shot glass on the floor.
“Leave her, Johnny, leave her!”
The music kept looping.
No one even thought of turning it off or putting on another track.
I rushed back into the dancing.
We stomped along with the guys.
Cody and Aaron were spinning in a dance.
Sophie and her husband were hugging.
The kids were dancing like crazy.
The security stood serious and focused.
I exhaled.
Perfect.
The guys were doing their job.
That’s exactly what I needed.
Swaying a little, I went to the restroom again.
Three of my boys came with me.
I was sitting there peeing.
My cheeks completely red.
My God, how embarrassing.
The security at the door could hear everything.
Damn.
Well, whatever.
They’ve seen me in every possible state.
These guys are not little girls — they’ll survive.
I came back into the bar,
trying to focus.
My vision was a little blurry.
Logan and Roman grabbed me by the elbows.
I started crying again.
What pride it is for a mother to raise sons.
Damn…
Those boys were once tiny.
They fell and cried.
And now they are powerful men,
strong enough to hold the woman who once carried them as babies.
Now they can carry their mother.
“Some pride. You’re drunk and can barely stand.” — Hades.
I hiccupped and poked him in the nose with my finger.
“You grumpy thing.
I raised boys like this — I have the right.”
“And my girls…
Look.”
The twins were dancing, hugging each other.
The younger ones were in someone’s arms.
The girls were no nuns,
but they were dressed properly.
I beamed.
Thank God I managed to give them dignity and morals.
I was shining.
My children — my pride.
My children.
I looked around the bar.
All my people were glowing and dancing to the music.
I felt proud that this was my world:
powerful, strong, but so loyal.
My family.
My people.
And these simple, random people —
the sailors and their wives.
I blossomed.
I imagined how tomorrow
they would see the checks
and realize it wasn’t a joke.
The man would shave,
straighten himself in the mirror,
those strong guys would dry themselves with a towel,
go to their loved ones
and hand them the check.
How their friends and families would start crying.
And the world would become a little brighter.
I thanked God
that once he guided me.
That I married Nate.
That he was able to give me a world
where I, my children, and my loved ones
live in luxury
and complete freedom.
I prayed in gratitude that Jonathan and Josh helped him.
That all my men built a real paradise
for me and our whole dynasty.
Pride filled me.
I was proud that I had not betrayed myself.
I was proud that I had become the person I always believed I was.
A person of high morals.
I was damn proud
that I did not become like Caleb’s circle.
That money could not corrupt me.
I don’t care about all those yachts,
Lamborghinis,
and other nonsense.
My money does what it always has —
it gives safety,
freedom,
and brings good.
“Well done, Nazokat. Well done.” — the spirits patted me on the shoulder.
I beamed.
And allowed myself a little boldness.
“I did this myself.”
And the spirits scattered together.
Whatever happened in my childhood,
now I am a grown woman.
I am here.
And I am damn happy.
I took a sip of whiskey
and smashed the glass on the floor one last time.
Suddenly the crowd started moving nervously.
I couldn’t understand what had happened.
“Mom! Mom!”
I snapped back.
“Logan, sweetheart, calm down. What happened?”
“One of the sailors collapsed.
Heart attack.”
Oh shit.
Pull yourself together. — Mind.
I sobered up instantly.
Damn.
Jonathan had already called an ambulance.
I looked at Ethan.
That was the sailor’s name.
His wife was crying over him in grief.
The sailors had taken off their caps and were standing there,
as if they were already preparing to bury him.
I shouted:
“Michael! Josh! Get the kids out! Take the kids home immediately!”
The kids started resisting.
I barked:
“Get the children out now!”
Security grabbed the girls
and two of the boys.
They carried the struggling boys out.
“Logan, get over here — now.”
I nodded to Cody.
“Everyone out! Clear the space!” — Cody shouted.
The crowd was pushed back.
The sailors formed a circle.
I looked at them.
“Hold the circle. Don’t break it.”
They saluted me.
I gathered myself.
“Logan, sweetheart. You need to be brave.”
He nodded.
“Bring whiskey.
Water.
A frying pan and a spoon.
Heat the pan.”
The bartender froze.
“Now, damn it!”
Jonathan came back.
I pulled him close.
“Jonathan — control the situation. Don’t let his wife get close under any circumstances.
Get all the women out.”
His eyes widened.
“I said do it now!”
Jonathan ran.
Logan stayed beside me.
“Mom…”
I rolled up my sleeves.
“Whiskey on the hands.
Disinfection.
Let’s go.”
“Logan. Hit.”
He started striking Ethan’s chest.
“Higher. Kick-start the heart.”
Logan looked at me in panic.
“I said hit!”
Logan struck.
Ethan was pale as death.
“Damn it!”
“Hit harder!
Hit, damn it!”
Logan clasped his hands together like a hammer
and slammed them with all his strength into Ethan’s chest.
Ethan’s leg jerked reflexively.
I wiped my tears.
“Good.”
Whiskey.
They handed me a bottle.
I took a sip,
swirled it in my mouth,
and spat it over Ethan.
His body was still reacting like it was fighting for its life.
“Come on, damn it, come on!”
“Logan, damn it, hit harder!”
He was striking like a hammer, again and again.
Finally Ethan started coughing.
But that wasn’t enough.
The heart could slip back again.
Logan was already pumped with adrenaline.
He swung once more.
I kicked him.
“No more hitting. Ethan could die.”
Logan’s eyes were wild.
I realized he wasn’t thinking anymore.
He was too involved.
I shouted:
“Pull him away! Now!”
I knelt over Ethan,
praying.
“Forgive me, friend. There’s no other way.”
It turned out that when he fell,
his appendix had ruptured.
Good thing he was drunk.
No anesthesia anyway —
and it wouldn’t work with alcohol.
I prepared to cut.
If I didn’t operate,
he would definitely die.
But at that moment the ambulance burst in.
My hands fell.
The medics quickly loaded him onto a stretcher.
A deep breath.
Jonathan and I exchanged a look.
Everyone knew the situation was critical.
But because of my… slightly eccentric behavior,
I had been expelled from medical school.
I never finished it,
unlike Sam.
They kicked me out in my third year.
And if the medics found out I was operating without a license,
we’d both end up in prison.
Everyone exhaled.
I dropped to the floor.
Just dropped.
“Damn it… being a doctor is brutal.”
“How are the kids?”
Jonathan nodded.
I exhaled.
“Damn it. Life is never boring with us.”
Ethan’s wife ran in.
I nodded to the security.
They let her through.
The poor woman was crying.
“Will he live?”
I shook my head.
“I don’t know, Daisy.
I really don’t know.
The heart is beating again,
but surgery is still ahead.”
Tears ran down my face.
“Damn… one moment like this,
and you don’t know if the man you love will come back tomorrow or not.”
She collapsed in tears.
I hugged her.
“Damn it…”
By the medical facts,
he should survive.
But damn it,
you never know what the spirits will decide.
Whether they’ll think the party is over
and it’s time for him to go back to heaven.

1:31
Daisy and I kept walking in circles.
The surgery shouldn’t be complicated.
Damn it, why is it taking so long?
Daisy looked at me with hope.
But they wouldn’t let me into the operating room.
I was powerless.
Ethan’s family arrived.
Children.
Grandchildren.
Brothers.
Sisters.
I awkwardly rubbed my neck.
“Daisy… I should probably go.
I’m in the way.”
“No, please don’t leave.”
Then the doctor came out.
“Ethan is stable. Everything went well.”
“Fuuuu…”
The weight lifted off my chest.
“Damn.”
“Where could I get some whiskey…”
And then Caleb appeared.
I rolled my eyes.
“No. No, no, no, mister.
Go away.
I’m happy.
I’m relieved.
I don’t want to fight.
Leave me alone.”
Caleb grew serious.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart.”
Everyone started looking at us.
Damn.
“Let’s step aside.”
He nodded.
“Sweetheart…”
I sighed tiredly.
“What.”
“You were right.
Please forgive me.”
I hesitated.
“Caleb… sometimes I feel like you’re from another planet.
Are these people really close to you?
Damn… they’re like… I don’t even know…
robots.”
Caleb sighed.
“Sweetheart, everything with them is over.”
I waved him off.
“Don’t be ridiculous.
You work with them.
So it’s not over.”
“Sweetheart… I won’t deal with those people anymore.”
Suddenly I felt strange.
Could it really be
that my opinion meant that much to him?
I looked at Caleb.
Damn.
This guy really is in love.
He looked at me
with those brown eyes,
that perfect hair,
an Omega watch on his wrist.
“You really trust me that much?”
He nodded.
I softened
and hugged him.
Caleb started crying.
So did I.
“Damn it…
this guy will drive me insane.
Why the hell do I need all this?”
“You love him.” — Hades wiped a tear.
“Exactly.”