She ignored him. “It was they who were born wrong. Their minds were corrupted. Not yours.” A noise escaped through my lips. My body vibrated with the need to get away from her words. But her hands slid to my shoulders, her grip tightening a little.

“Mama, dolvol’no,” Adrik clipped, and I felt him move closer.

“Adrik,” his father warned.

Annika said softly, “No mother should hurt their child.”

“Don’t,” I begged.

“Dolvol’no,” Adrik yelled. I heard a shuffle, but I couldn’t look away from Annika.

One of her hands cupped the side of my neck. “She was a monster. She was evil. Know that if you were my son, I would love you with every breath I take.”

“Please,” I choked, tears blinding me as they filled and dropped.

“I would love you, West, because you are none of those things she said to you.”

“Then why?” I screamed. “Why did she do it to me?” I dropped to my knees, and Annika came with me, cradling my head as I bent over, letting the agony take over. “Why would she do it?”

“Because she was never blessed with love. She did not understand what an amazing child she created. She was lost in her own created world of lies and hatred. She was lost, West. But you are not. You are here with us. You are loved. I may not know you, but I already know I will love you, my boy. I will.”

“It’s not fair,” I uttered through cries.

“You are right. It is not,” Annika said softly. “But all we can do is keep moving, keep going, and pray nothing like that happens again.” I nodded and held her tightly as I cried once more over the injustice of all that happened to me.

“Enough now,” Adrik said, his tone harsh. “You are in America, not Russia. Not everyone likes tough love,” he snarled.

I didn’t want him upset with his parents. Even though I felt as if a truck had hit me, I knew I needed this.

Lifting up, I scrubbed at my face and sucked in a shuddering breath. The agony seemed easier to breathe through. I glanced up at Adrik, who stood with his arms crossed, glaring at his parents.

“Adrik,” I said. His eyes flashed down to me. I held my hand up to him. “H-Help me up.” His hand slid into mine, and he pulled me to my feet while Nicholai assisted Annika. I rested my side into Adrik’s front and reached out for Annika’s hand. “I’ll freshen up, but please stay for dinner?”

I could feel Adrik’s gaze on me, but I kept my attention on his parents. Both smiled. Nicholai even seemed proud. He stood straighter and his smile grew.

“We would love that,” Annika replied.