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– It just so happened, I'm sorry, – the guy spoke, hugging his wife. – We just got married today. She is pregnant and we had to hurry…

He regretted saying that as his mother immediately smacked him with the wet towel she held in her hands. He released the girl's fingers from his and, covering his head with hands, darted away. Mother followed him.

– How many times have I warned you to stay away from girls?! But you knocked someone up?!

– I love her, – Spartacus shouted and ran out into the street.

Nadezhda stood like a stone in the middle of the yard and did not know what to do now.

– And you're not bad…! – said Stepan, coming down to her and looking at her from all sides.

She wrapped her arms around herself and cringed a little at his scrutiny.

But after a minute she felt again the strong embrace of Spartacus, who led her into the house.

– Know your place, boy, this is my woman! – With these words he pushed his half-brother aside a little and went up the stairs into the house. Her mother shook her head grudgingly as she looked after them.

Two days later guests arrived. Together with Uncle Pasha, who had been absent the whole time.

Nadya immediately recognized her father and his faithful helpers.

– Well, hello, daughter! – said the man who entered. He looked about fifty years old. And looked very authoritative and rich. Even his perfume was blown all over the street.

– Hello, Daddy, – answered Nadya, fixing a disheveled curl.

– Is it true what I was hear?

– Yes, – Spartacus answered in her place. He walked over to Nadia and hugged her tightly.

The stepfather's eyes went up to his forehead. The boy shot him an unkind look.

– And this is what you chose instead of an educated and promising Sergei? – the girl's father spoke contemptuously, pointing with a nod of his head in the direction of her husband. Spartacus was covered in mud as he was cleaning the corral.

– I love him, – the girl said. She repeated words of Spartacus and lowered her eyes to avoid looking at her father.

– Is that it??!

– I'm sorry.

– Well, let's see how much he loves you, – said the man. – I'm disinheriting you and disinheriting everything you own, including your apartment in Chicago. And I'm freezing all your bank accounts.

– But Daddy…?! – said girl, frightened, – You can't do that!

– Yes, I can!

– But it's not just your money, it's my mom's money too.

– You can go to the notary and read her will. Everything your mother had was bequeathed to me personally. And only me the one who has the common property. – He ducked a little and grinned in her face, – Do you understand me? If you have love, – he straightened again and met the gray eyes of his son-in-law, – now let him take care of you.

Turning abruptly, the girl's father headed for the door. As he stepped over the threshold, he threw over his shoulder to Spartacus' confused mother, – My respects.

Nadia sat down in a chair, dropping her hands. What was she going to do now?! Not only had she made trouble for herself, but she'd gotten an innocent guy involved. Spartacus came closer to her and sat down next to her and softly laughed. Nadezhda looked up at him with her sad eyes. Everyone went out and they were alone.

– What a mess you've made! – said the guy with a light chuckle.

But she was not laughing at all.

– You know what I think, – she said.

He looked at her curiously.

– I have friends, I'll go to them for help! – with these words, she nodded her head affirmatively to her thoughts.

– For what?

– Material help, of course.

– And?

– They will help me to leave.

– Next what?

– What next? – Nadezhda didn't understand.

– Who, where are you going and who are you running away from now? – He asked, getting serious.

– I'll go to America, and I'll find a job there, and that's it. It doesn't matter where or who. I won't go to anyone. I'll just go away! – she answered with a rebellious look.

– How can a young girl go nowhere?! – He said with a furrowed brow.

– What are you, my father? What do you care?

Spartacus gritted his teeth and said nothing. What did he really care?

She got up and went to their room.

He remained seated in a chair and stared at the floor.

Then he decided to follow her.

– If you want to go your own way, I don't mind, – he said at last.

– Oh, thank you. I don't have any other way. And I'm sorry I got you involved in all this, too, – she added quietly as she brushed her hair.

– Yes, unfortunately that's true, and that's why I can't let you go anywhere you want to go.

She was standing at the mirror with her back to him and at that moment she turned and looked at him.

– Excuse me?

– The option of going wherever you want by yourself is not an option, – Spartacus explained. He stood up, spreading his legs slightly and dropping his fists into his sides.

– And what you will do? Put me on the chain?! I'm not your wife, you forget, it's all a game!

– But, you know, my life is not a game! – He answered with an angry look on his face. – Do you think I won't be asked if anything happens to you? No, dear, it doesn't work that way. Either you do everything, with my consent, or I call your father and hand you over to him. And this conversation is over.

– You bastard!

– Think what you want. But I am careful about security, so give me your passport, – he demanded, holding out his hand to her.

– I don't think so! Maybe you can turn me into your slave, too?! – she protested, hastily pushing aside the drawer in the chest of drawers that contained her personal belongings.

In one wide step, Spartacus bridged the distance between them and tried to snatch her passport from her hand. But she jerked sharply and darted away. Of course he caught up with her immediately. He turned her abruptly toward him, and she fell on her side with a cry, pulling him down with her.

The room they were given as newlyweds had once been of parents' bedroom. Spartacus slept on the floor, and Nadia, as a lady, was on the bed. Now they were almost cuddled up on the soft bed and froze. He was looking down at her, and the color of his gray eyes was gradually taking on a darker hue. Holding her tightly by the wrists, the guy literally crucified her beneath him.