Page 119 of Cruel Juliet

Just that. Nothing more.

If she tried to run in the past, it was because she didn’t want to be trapped with a man like her father. But I’m not that man anymore. And she’s not that scared little girl with one foot already out the door either. We’ve grown, both of us.

For our daughter’s sake.

And I won’t have Kira making insinuations about my wife. Not under my roof, and certainly not to my goddamn face.

“I fail to see how any of this is your business, Kira.” I rise from the counter. “Now, if you’ll excuse me?—”

Kira’s mouth tightens. “I didn’t mean to imply anything.”

“I hope that’s the case,” I say. “I appreciate your concern. But Sima and I can sort ourselves out.”

Her lips press together. She’s smart enough to know when to stop, but her fingers twitch against her arm. There’s a restless, frustrated energy about her that I don’t know what to make of.

I take a breath, roll my shoulders back, and change the subject before either of us says something we’ll regret. “I went to see Dimitri.”

That pulls her attention back fast. Her eyes lift. “And?”

“He’s getting stronger.”

Her expression turns softer. Sadder. “It’s a long road ahead.”

“I don’t doubt it. But he’s already improved by leaps and bounds.” I fix my cufflinks. “I think it’s time he came home. He should finish recovering here.”

Suddenly, Kira’s face falls. “What?”

It’s not the reaction I was expecting. “I thought you’d be happy”

“I—I am,” she stammers. “Of course I am. But it’s too early, Petyr.”

“He can get around on his own. He talks, feeds himself, and even plays chess. Though I’m not sure he’s any less shit at it than he was while we were growing up.”

Kira’s frown doesn’t ease. She’s paler now. “I don’t know, Petyr. He’s still confused.”

“I know.” My chest aches when I remember our last conversation. How he forgot Kira even came to visit him every day. The holes in Dimitri’s memory are no joke, but there’s no way to know when they’ll get better. And I don’t want him to spend his days playing against some octogenarian named Igor when he could be here, with his family, watching his niece grow. “But it’s time.”

Kira starts chewing on her nails. “You really think that’s a good idea? Bringing him back into this chaos?”

“He belongs here,” I say simply. “He needs his family. His people. That’s how he gets better.”

“And if he’s not ready?”

“Then we help him until he is.” I finish the last of my coffee and rinse the mug in the sink. “He’s earned that much.”

“Petyr, you can’t be serious.” She shakes her head and quickly moves around the counter to face me. “Dimitri still needs medical assistance. I can’t give him what he needs.”

“You don’t have to worry. I won’t have this all fall on you.”

“But—”

“I’m not saying we move him tomorrow,” I clarify. “I’m saying it’s time to start preparing for it. He’s stable enough that we can plan the transition without rushing.”

She exhales. Her shoulders sag with relief, but she still looks worried. “You have no idea how hard it’s been to keep up with the doctors, the medication schedules, the physical therapy. It’ll be a full-time job.”

“Which is why, when the time comes, I’ll bring in whoever you need.” I pat her shoulder once. “You won’t carry this alone. I promise.”

Hesitation flares in Kira’s eyes. “You’ve thought this through.”