Warning: This chapter will contain domestic violence: in Sonya's POV starting from the line "What are you doing?" to "Looking for this?" and Olena's second POV will reference it in the paragraphs starting with "anger" and "this, tonight"! Feel free to skip it if you feel uncomfortable reading it!

POV: Olena

August 1980., Omsk

Being in a class with humans was strange. We weren't that much different, yet it was like we came from completely different planets. Though our worlds and our lives were very unlike, when it came down to the simplicity of being living beings the lines of the borders between us and them became rather blurred. Birth, death, survival it was all pretty much the same.

"The typical signs are fatigue, cold sweat-", our instructor explained as Maya kicked my chair.

I turned around to look at her and she quickly flashed me a smile before she handed me a note. I curled my palm around the piece of paper that I was handed, before gingerly unfolding it, trying to make as less noise as possible. Her messy handwriting appeared before my eyes in a form of an invitation. Drink with some friends after class, you in? I didn't turn back around since I could feel her eyes on the back of my head, a simply nod would suffice. She let out a satisfied "humph", before letting me pay my attention back to the lecture.

I had no idea why Maya was getting medical training. She wasn't planning to be a nurse or do anything related to it and she wasn't exactly look for any kind of independency. She was engaged to a wealthy Moroi, a Royal nonetheless and, as she put it, her only job was "to be pretty and give him kids", which she was more than satisfied with. I was surprised when she first mentioned him, though it wasn't unheard of, it was very rare for Royals to marry Dhampir. Harry Dashkov was a fine man, a bit boring and plain looking, but kind and clearly in love with Maya. I wasn't certain his love was reciprocated, but who was I to judge anyone.

As soon as we were dismissed, Maya grabbed her things and hooked her arm around mine, literally dragging me outside. She excitedly breathed out: "My God, I can't wait for us to get there. You are going to love the place."

I highly doubted I would, knowing the types of place Maya usually picked, but I gave her a small smile, not wanting to ruin her good mood. I had to admit though that I was surprised to actually find the place way better than I expected it to be when we finally reached it. It was a small bar, with dimmed lights and jazz music softly playing in the background. It was also pretty luxurious, which is why I slowed my steps as we approached the door and looked at Maya with a dose of panic, mumbling: "I'm not sure I can afford-."

"Don't", she cut in shaking her head, "How many times do I have to tell you to stop worrying about such trivial things? Besides, I'm sure the gentleman joining us will literally fight over who's going to buy you a drink."

"Maya, I don't really feel comfortable with unknown men paying for my drinks", I argued as she pulled the door open for me.

"Well they won't be unknown when I introduce you to them", she prompted basically pushing me inside, "Problem solved."

When the door closed behind us and Maya waved at Harry, I knew there were no chances of me escaping this anymore. So I shyly tagged along, hiding behind Maya's explosive personality and vibrant movements. She threw herself in Harry's arms as he stood up to greet us, shamelessly kissing him for a few moments before she moved aside to let me come closer to the table.

"Hello Olena", Harry said giving me a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Hi Harry", I replied as Maya pulled up a chair and sat down.

"Olena, this is Robert Dawson, my colleague", he announced gesturing towards the man who sat next to him.

The man looked older than Harry which would put him in his mid-thirties. He was dressed in a suit and his hair was glided back perfectly. He gave me a tight smile before Harry moved on to the man who sat across from them. The moment my eyes landed on him I felt my cheeks blushing. He was remarkably handsome, in his late twenties and giving me the kind of look that made me feel like I was the most beautiful girl in the world. The look was hypnotizing, but more than that, his eyes were hard not to stare at. They were a beautiful deep emerald color, shining brighter than the moon outside, swallowing me in their depths.

"And that is Randall Ivashkov, our business partner", Harry supplied as the man with the mesmerizing eyes stood up, taking my hand and placing a gentle kiss on top of it while bowing slightly.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Olena", Randall spoke in a voice that was like a symphony, "Harry has done you no justice when he described you."

"Slow down Darling", Maya giggled playfully tugging Randall back into his seat, "Olena is a shy little flower, you'll scare her away."

I was so taken by his words that mine didn't make it out of my mouth as Harry motioned for me to sit. My seat was between Randall and Robert which led me to believe Maya was setting me up with one of them. She did go on and on about how I should find myself a man ever since we became friends, so I couldn't really say I was surprised. I tried explaining to her how I did have a man, sort of. Not that it was any use since Maya had a tendency of ignoring people unless they were saying something she agreed with. Yura, was the man I was referring to, we've been involved for years, though I wouldn't exactly introduce him to anyone as my boyfriend. He lived in Baia and we've met when I was still in high school. He was a few years older than me, also a Dhampir and he worked in his father's woodshop. He was a good guy, a guy like Harry. He also didn't exactly take my breath away as I'm sure it was the case for Maya and her soon to be husband. I think he loved me, I really did, but though I cared for him a lot, I couldn't picture spending the rest of my life with him. Especially because I wanted to be a mother, I wanted it very much and Yura could in no way give me children.

I moved around Randall and settled down, feeling extremely aware of the lingering look he gave me. It made me warm all over. It was as if he was running the tips of his fingers over my flesh, slowly, intoxicatingly, yet his hands were nowhere even near me. Light chitchat erupted over the table as I stared at some random spot on the wall trying to compose myself. What is wrong with you girl? Pull it together, my mind screamed at me, it's not like this is the first time you've met a good looking man.

"So Olena, what do you do?", Robert asked, sipping on his whiskey leisurely.

"I'm, um, I'm training to become a nurse", I stammered shifting my gaze to his light brown eyes, "Like Maya."

Luckily the waiter appeared in that moment giving me a much needed break from my thoughts. Maya ordered a cocktail, while I asked for a double vodka. It wasn't a very ladylike thing to do, but before I could change my mind I heard Randall softly whistle.

"A woman that can hold her liquor, I'm even more impressed Olena", he chuckled, my name slipping off his tongue like it was made only for him to speak it, "Or should I say Shy Little Flower?"

He gave Maya a wink and a smile before he added: "Though I think shy and little should be replaced by beautiful."

Was I ever going to come up with a response to this man's words? I was beginning to look like an idiot, smiling and blushing in circles as I wordlessly stared at him. Maya wiggled her eyebrows when he wasn't looking, clearly satisfied by his interest in me and his grand compliments. Looking over at the other side of the table I noticed Harry smiling behind the edge of his glass, which he glued to his face so he could hide his expression. It wasn't a mocking smile, Harry didn't do those. It was his way of expressing he too was satisfied with the way things were going, but unlike Maya he knew how to do such a thing discreetly.

"And where do you live?", Robert asked, completely oblivious to the tension building up, especially since Randall shifted his chair so that it allowed him to be closer to me.

The decline of the distance between us sent shivers down my spine, while I fought to keep my voice steady and respond calmly: "I currently live in a small apartment near the school, but I'm just staying there until I finish my course. After that I'll be going back to my hometown."

"Which is-?", Robert promoted.

"Baia", I replied watching his eyes narrow and a strange smirk appear on his face.

"So you live in a commune", he concluded, his eyes moving away from me in a way that made me think he was disappointed.

"Yes, I do", I said in a sharp tone, pulling my shoulders back so I'd show no shame over my origin and birthplace, "As most Dhampir do before they become guardians."

"You are to be a guardian?", Randall suddenly voiced, his eyes, unlike Robert's, only fixing on me harder.

"Well, I've finished training a few years ago, but no, I doubt it", I elaborated as the waiter placed Maya's and mine glass on the table, pausing to thank him before I added, "I trained in Saint Basil's, but I did it more for the purpose of self-protection and protection of the people of Baia. It is much needed, since Strigoi attacks aren't as scarce as we'd like them to be."

"That's very noble of you", Randall commented, playing with his napkin that lay inches away from the hand I've laid on the table, "Working to protect the people who can't even pay you for it."

"And very stupid", I thought I heard Robert mumble, but I've decided to pay him no attention, since he sure as hell didn't deserve it.

"You could look at it that way I guess. However, I'm getting medical training with the intention of making it my primary profession", I stressed while taking a sip of my drink, "It's my way of earning money enough to live a normal life, just like everyone else."

"Someone like you deserves better than normal", Randall spoke in a hushed voice, but loud enough to be heard at least by Maya and me.

The night went by fast, too fast. When it was time to go I wished the moon would stick around for a few more hours, just so that I could sit and talk to this charming man more. While we were leaving the bar, Maya rushed up to me, hugging me and excitedly whispering into my ear: "I think Randall likes you."

I just giggled into her shoulder and hugged her back before the men joined us and Harry pointed towards his car asking: "I'm there, who's riding with us?"

Robert mumbled something into his chin that seemed like a confirmation he was taking one of the seats which made my decision strengthen.

"I think I'm going to take a walk, but thank you for the offer Harry."

"Are you sure? You shouldn't be alone at this time of night", Harry wondered with a dose of worry crossing his face.

"I'm sure she can handle herself Harry", Randall was the one to reassure him, "Besides, she won't be alone. I'll be walking the lovely lady home."

I peered over my shoulder at him in surprise. He flashed me a smile before he took a few steps towards me and offered me his hand: "Shall we, Beautiful Flower?"

I was going to tell him that he didn't have to walk me, I didn't want to cause him any discomfort, but Maya cut me to it, saying the complete opposite: "That's lovely Randall. You should get going than. Enjoy your, um, walk."

His hand still lingered in the air so I took it, not wanting to leave him hanging and he tugged me closer, pulling my arm under his and wrapping it around his elbow. We said our goodbyes and started walking as Harry's car roared to life and drew away in the other direction. It wasn't a long walk, but to me it felt like an eternity. I got so lost in his words, his eyes, his touch, that I almost missed my building. It wasn't until I registered the window of my apartment, which was almost left behind us, that I stopped and nudged him to change direction.

"This is me", I said pointing towards the second floor as the light of the entrance bathed us, making our silhouettes dance across the pavement.

"That's a shame", Randall sang glancing up the building, "I wish your apartment was further away."

"Me too", I found myself saying before I could stop my mind from spilling its thoughts.

Randall gave me an amused look before he stepped closer, his lips a breath away from mine: "When can I see you again my Beautiful Flower?"

My? It was a bold thing to say, but in the same time it felt right and on point. It felt like I've always been his, like I was made for him and like I will forever stay his. I have never in my life been so bewitched by someone so I wasn't surprised when my lips moved to mumble: "Whenever you want."

"Whenever I want?", he questioned his lips now almost touching mine.

I nodded, as my breathing halted. His eyes sparked and he moved suddenly, but his lips landed on my cheek, close to my lips, but still not quite there. He moved away and whispered: "Good."

With a nod he pulled the handle and patiently waited for me to remember how to move my limbs before I unsteadily walked in. I glanced at him managing to say "goodnight" before the door closed between us. A strange smile lingered on his lips while I walked up the stair, peering over my shoulder at him the entire time.

When I found my way to my apartment, I could finally breathe again, though my heart was thumping fast and my skin felt warm where his lips touched it. I took off my жакет, hanging it next to the entrance and leaned against the hard wood behind me, closing my eyes and seeing those shiny emeralds playing under my eyelids. A strong knock on the door almost gave me heart attack. I jumped up before I slowly turned around and stared at its surface. With a frown I carefully cracked it open.

"Randall?", I breathed out as a smile danced on his lips.

"You said I could see you whenever I want", he announced placing his hand on the frame of the door while leaning in, "I wanted it now."

I let go of the door and it slammed into the wall opening widely. His eyebrow shot up as if he was wordlessly asking whether he should step inside. I don't know where I got the courage, but instead of responding I grabbed the front of his cardigan and pulled him into a kiss I've been waiting for the entire night.

He came in.

POV: Sonya

August 1992., Baia

He came out.

I saw him adjusting his tie, fumbling with a few buttons left undone on the top of his shirt while mama's door closed behind him. He came to the house a few hours ago and mama hid him away in her room almost instantly, probably trying to avoid angering babushka. She only left the room once since she closed the door behind them. She came out when she went to get a bottle from the basement, her cheeks flushed and her hair a little messy. I wondered what they were doing while they were together. When in front of us they almost seemed like strangers, their conversations strained and short. Our father, however, would spend a lot of hours alone with mama and it always made me believe that they must have had something in common, something to do or talk about when away from other's eyes and ears.

He's heavy footsteps echoed through the house and I wiggled under my blanket, allowing only my nose and eyes to stick out from underneath it. I was supposed to be asleep, but I felt restless the entire night. It was almost morning, the soft light appeared on the horizon, making the room around me brighten up slightly and I knew what that meant. It meant that he was leaving again. I didn't want him to leave. I wanted to spend some time with him, get to know him. Maybe then I wouldn't constantly feel like there was something missing. Like a part of me that I myself wasn't introduced to. The other part of my being, my blood, my genes, my personality, that other part that belonged to the man who came around only for a few hours at unexpected times. The man who sometimes brought us gifts that I collected and kept safe under my bed.

I don't think my siblings shared my desires. Karo would instantly go to our room the minute his foot would cross the threshold and wouldn't come out until he was gone. She kept the few things that he has given her in a box in the basement, never taking the time to look at them and hold them while he was away. Dimka would go out, he'd spend hours walking around our house, around the town center, he'd go to visit Mark and Oksana or simply sit on the fallen tree trunk in the patch of woods under our house. He only got a gift once, some toy that looked very expensive and modern. He threw it in a trashcan as soon as he got the chance. I never told him that his toy didn't go out with the rest of the garbage, but that I took it when he wasn't looking and I stashed it with my things. Perhaps someday he'll thank me for that.

I was good at hiding things, really good. I had to learn to do it since Karo would often use them without asking. In all fairness, most of those things belonged to her before they found their way into my possessions, but I hated sharing, so I selfishly placed them where she couldn't find them. It is because I was good at hiding things that I condemned my family to the events of this early morning that they'll never forget.

"What are you doing?", mama's hushed voice traveled through the house, notifying me she too has joined our father downstairs.

"Where is it?", he asked, not bothering to keep his own voice down.

"Where is what?"

"Where is my damn coat?", he hissed as his shoes hurriedly crossed over the floor, the sound notifying me that he was walking back and forth in search of his lost piece of clothing.

"It's probably where you left it", mama chuckled before I heard a bang, like somebody hitting a wall with their palm.

"You think this is funny? It's not where I left it, it's not because somebody took it", he growled his voice sounding closer.

"Randall there is no need to get worked up about-, where are you going?"

"That little brat took it. I guarantee it. He is always causing trouble. An ungrateful little piece of-", he blurted as he stormed past my door and opened the one opposite of it.

"Randall don't, leave him be", I heard mama's pleas as Dimka's shocked and sleepy protest cracked through the night.

"Where is my fucking coat?", Randall shouted ignoring mama as mix of taps, bangs and scratching followed his words.

The noise must have been caused by Dimitri as he was obviously dragged right out of his bed. I heard him breathed out: "What are you talking about?"

"Don't play stupid. I know it's you who took it!", Randall warned as I pushed the covers away and rushed to peek through the door into Dimitri's room, "If you need a fucking coat ask your mother for it, don't steal from others."

"Why would I ever take your coat?", Dimitri argued shaking out of Randall's grip, "It wouldn't fit anyway."

"Stop lying! TELL ME WHERE IT IS!", Randall's voice became so loud I thought it could be heard from miles away.

It's what finally woke Karolina up, since so far she's been comatose. She was a very tight sleeper. She sat up in her bed and muttered: "What's happening?"

I turned around and pressed my index finger against my lips to shush her before taking another peek at the scene on the other side of the hallway.

"I don't know", Dimka cried out as Randall pushed him into a corner between his bed and the nightstand.

"Well I'll just have to beat it out of you, won't I?", Randall spat before he towered over Dimka and lifted his arm.

I stopped breathing as he did, realizing the mess I have created. Before I could even begin to think about what I should do to rectify this, mama rushed towards Randall and cried: "Leave him-!"

She never finished her sentence because the hand he held up flew backwards, slapping her hard against her face. She tumbled back and I watched in horror as he turned towards her, his eyes blazing. I rushed towards my bed as Karolina got out of hers and kneeled, grabbing the rich fabric underneath it and tugging it out. It was so big and heavy that it made it hard for me to move, but I managed to barrel out of the room and run into the light. Dimitri moved out of the corner in the meantime, curling his hands into fists as he prepared to attack. If he managed to start a fight with our father I'm sure he'd lose, because despite his extreme height for an eight-year-old, Randall was higher, stronger and scarier. He didn't get his chance though since I wiggled between mama and Randall, holding up his coat while tears sprung to my eyes.

"I'm sorry, I did it, I'm sorry", I babbled as Randall's eyes fell to me, "I just wanted you to stay, I just wanted you to stay awhile longer. I thought you would until your coat was found."

He grinned wickedly and I was sure he wanted to hit me too now or shout at me as much as he did on Dimka, but than my grandmother's cough came from behind us. I glanced back, seeing Karo was standing right next to her, clutching to her nightgown as she nervously watched Randall.

"And what are you all doing at this ungodly hour?", Yeva calmly questioned as everyone else became paralyzed.

Randall's face slowly shifted, it was visible, the restrain that he put into his muscles movements, as he fought to present Yeva with the calmest mask he could produce.

"Looking for this. It got lost in a little misunderstanding", he said as he lifted the coat out of my arms and threw it over his shoulder, adding to me in a sweet voice, "Next time darling girl, just tell me your wishes instead of worrying us all like this."

Dimka moved behind him, stepping closer to me. He was furious and he opened his mouth probably with the intention of saying something very rude, but Yeva's sharp glance stopped him from speaking. Randall seemed lost for a moment before he mumbled into his chin: "Right."

And then he was off. Leaving like he always did, without as much as a goodbye. Nobody but him moved though, not until Yeva squeezed Karo's shoulder and turned her around saying: "Back to bed."

"All of you", she added when mama finally shook out of her shock and grabbed my hand to lead me out.

As soon as the two of us were alone in the hallway a sob escaped me. I couldn't help it. I felt so guilty, so bad for doing what I did, I just wished I could turn back time and never come to the idea of taking Randall's coat. My sob made mama stop in her tracks and kneel down so that she could hug me.

"I'm sorry mama", I wept into her shoulder as she slid her palm gently over my hair, "I didn't mean to."

"It's alright Sonyushka, it's all alright", mama comforted me as her hold on me tightened, "It's not your fault, none of it is your fault."

All I could think about as she cuddled me in her arms was, whose fault is it then?

POV: Olena

I've been lying to myself. I knew I have, but I couldn't help it. Which is why I somehow always found myself here, on the dusty road, where my feet shuffled through leafs that were tugged off the branches by the wind, where the grass smelled stronger than anywhere else, where I was alone in the silence while my mind screamed. Why I did this to myself over and over again I couldn't understand, it was like a stranger was taking over my body and mind when I needed them to work the most, driving me off the edge of a cliff or crashing me into a wall.

Twelve years, I've been ending up right here just like this for twelve years. It was because I was a stupid, little girl, foolish to think that I could get what I always dreamed of, naïve enough to trust the man with the charming smile, mesmerizing eyes and sweet lies that he uttered with every breath. I should have known, from the day I've met him, I should have known he was going to be like heroin. Addictive, giving me a rush every time I injected him into my bloodstream, but killing me, making me wither away slowly, but surely. How can something that feels so good be so deadly?

He wasn't always like this. He isn't always like this. It's what I'd tell myself every time he left me broken and defeated. But he was and he is, I was just too blind to see it before. It was the little things, the little things you don't even pay attention to, but as time goes by you find yourself replaying them in your head.

Drinking. It was the first thing I should have paid attention to. It was there right from the start, but I was young and I thought of it as fun. We'd drink together, tumbling down the streets of Omsk, laughing the night away. It never crossed my mind that I never drank when the sun was up, during the day, it would have been inappropriate. When night came, having a few drinks seemed like a normal thing to do, but as the sun went down his day began. It never crossed my mind that he was actually drinking even before he had breakfast sometimes. And the older we got the larger amounts he would consume.

Anger. Anger was the second. At the time I just thought of him as someone who had an explosive personality. He got worked up fast over nothing, but we couldn't all be the same, right? That time when he made a scene in the restaurant when the waiter accidentally spilled a glass of water into my lap, I just thought he was trying to be manly and defend his woman, even if it was from something as harmless as water. When he hit the man who was trying to flirt with me in a club, I told myself it was completely normal for him to be jealous of somebody wanting to take what is his. When we had our first fight and he punched a hole through a wall, I justified it by thinking I caused such behavior by crossing the line. And when he first slapped me, when I yelled at him for leaving me to raise Karolina alone, I ran out of excuses so I just accepted it to be the way it is. We couldn't always get along, could we? Then it happened again, again and again. What used to be just a tight hold on my arm was proven to be manhandling. What I used to consider him moving me out of the way was shoving. When he punched me instead of the wall, it became evident just how much I've been deluding myself. But the lying continued, only now I wasn't lying to myself as much as I was lying for him, protecting our children from seeing the dark side of their father.

This, tonight, was the first time our children witnessed it, the first time I couldn't hide it. Actually, this was the first time Sonya and Karolina saw it. Dimka, oh my poor sweet Dimka, he was always there. Even when he wasn't in the same room I knew he was close by. He'd always do it when any stranger neared me, put himself in the way, to protect me even if he didn't know what he was protecting me from and why, ever since he could walk. And that's who Randall was to him, a stranger, his own father. I knew he heard the hits, I was sure he saw a few. I knew it took him so much self-control not to start a fight with Randall, not to start it because it wouldn't lead him to a victory, not at such a young age, not with someone so much stronger than him.

I should have never let him past the threshold on that warm August night. I should have never let him into my life. That's what I told myself sometimes. But then I'd always think of my beautiful darlings, the most precious beings on this earth. If it wasn't for him they never would have seen the light of day. It's the one good thing we've created.

A soft ruffle of leafs got me to look over my shoulder. The day has become bright enough now to allow me to see the person approaching me. Tears sprung to my eyes as soon as they fixed on the figure behind me, but I fought to keep them back. I didn't move or speak until he sat next to me on the tree trunk. It used to be my place only, the fallen tree that somehow withstood the passing of time, the wind, the rain, the snow, the sun, all of it, just staying almost unchanged even though it was separated from the things that kept it alive. Then I passed it on, I gave my special place to my special someone, which is why he knew exactly where to find me.

"Why?", was all he asked through a sigh.

"Why what Dimka?", I questioned like I didn't already know what he was referring to.

"Why do you let him do this to you mama?", he elaborated, his eyes skimming over the treetops above us, "Why do you let him come to our home?"

"Dimka he is your father-."

"No, he is not", he cut in angrily, his blazing eyes fixing on me, "He is nothing to me."

"Don't say that", I whispered reaching for his hand.

"Why? It's the truth", he argued, tensing up but not moving away when my fingers clasped his.

"He is you father Dimitri", I stressed and before he could interrupt me again added, "You don't have to like it, you don't have to like him, but you're made out of him as much as you are made out of me."

"He is evil mama, he is an evil man. If I'm made out of him than there is evil in me", he breathed out, his dark eyes filling with a mix of sadness and fury.

"No Dimka", I cried moving so that I could hug him, "You are the purest thing on this earth, there is no evil in you darling boy. You got the good parts, the good parts of him."

"I wasn't aware he had any", he mumbled into my chest.

"He does", I whispered having trouble believing my own words after everything that happened this morning, "There is good in him. He is trying."

"Trying?", Dimitri asked pulling out of my embrace, "He has to try to be good? It's not something people try, they are good or they are bad."

My son sometimes surprised me with his maturity. Sometimes I had a feeling he was ages older, that he was wiser than me even. But sometimes, it was evident how little he knew of the world, how much more he had to learn, to see, to feel so he can understand. He was forced to grow up too quickly, I knew he was and it was one of the things I regretted the most. There was no way to right that wrong, though I wished so very much there was.

"Not everything is so simple Dimka. The world and the people in it are not all white or black. There are a lot of shades of gray in-between. I'm not completely good and your father is not completely bad. We have our flaws, all of us."

"Why are you always justifying him?", Dimka shouted, jumping to his feet, "Why do you try to rationalize the things that make no sense?"

"Dimka-."

"No, no, I don't want to hear it anymore", he cut in backing away from me, "Babushka is right, you are a fool. I hate him and I-."

"Dimka-", I tried again, but he turned and ran away.

The tears I was holding back spilled as I watched my son's back disappearing among the trees. He stopped himself from speaking. The words he was intending to say never made it out of his mouth because he stopped. Thank God he did. Nothing, not one thing in this world would have broken my heart as hard as that last line he left out would have. I hate him, he said. I couldn't blame him, couldn't find fault in his feelings because Randall has never given him a chance to love him, never given him a chance to see those other sides I did, the sides that made me fall in love with him so many years ago. And though it hurt me to hear that is what the two of them have come to, it was nothing compared to the heartache that would have certainly come after the "and". I hate him. And I hate you.

Chapter song: Family Portrait - Pink

Translations: жакет - it's like a short jacket (if you look up the pictures you'll see what I'm taking about)!

Huh, that was heavy, but admittedly not as much as the next chapter will be! I promise though after that the story will get lighter (at least for a while)! But I owe it to Dimitri to stay true to his original story as much as possible, so the Randall mess was unavoidable! It did after all play a big part in the shaping of his personality!

I hope that you guys liked the chapter despite the hard topics and please do, as always, let me know what you think about it! Thanks for reading, until the next time,

Kisses T!