– My father died, too, when I was that age.

– And you said I'd have to meet my father-in-law.

– I have a stepfather.

– Oh, okay, I'm sorry.

– It's okay.

– I'm sorry, too. What did your dad die of? – A girl asked sadly.

– There was a fire in our house. He dragged my mother and me out, and then he was rescuing the cattle. And a burning beam fell on him. Everything burned. And my stepfather took us in afterwards…

– You don't like him?

– I'm neutral towards him. He doesn't hurt my mother and I don't resent him.

– Did he treat you like a son?

– I wouldn't say that, – Spartacus said, straining his memory, his forehead wrinkled and his eyebrows pulled together on the bridge of his nose. – My father was my boxing coach; unfortunately, he died a few years ago, too. But Uncle Pasha didn't particularly stress me out, and I was fine with everything. He even taught me a lot of things…

– About what?

– To understand cars, to fix them. He was a car mechanic all his life. Build the house, and do everything around the house. He doesn't drink, he's a regular guy, a hard worker. But he has weaknesses, we all have them, – he added, and smiled slyly.

They came to a small farmstead with a straight high fence, over which hung thick green branches of bushes and trees. They could see that the garden was well maintained and in bloom.

– Welcome home, wife! – with these words, he got out of the car and walked around it, then opened the door for her.

She blushed slightly and put her hand in his palm and followed him.

– For everyone we are a real couple, so don't frighten if I touch you, – he spoke softly and opened the gate.

– Mom, is Uncle Pasha home? – he turned to his mother, who was hanging up the laundry outside.

– Hello, – said the girl, not resolutely.

The woman froze in place, mouth ajar. And just as faintly said hello in response, glancing at the clutched hands of the young.

– Mom, meet Nadia, she's my wife. – Spartacus quickly muttered and rushed towards the house, repeating his question – so he's home or not?

– What do you mean son? – She asked me, confused.

– I said, is Uncle Pasha home?

– Who is it, I don't understand? – mother asked the question as she came closer.

Nadezhda, a little frightened, began to hide behind her husband's back.

– And this, Nadia, is my wife, – repeated Spartacus in a direct tone, as if it were a dog or a motorcycle that he had accidentally purchased.

– What, such a wife? – didn't understand the woman, circling around them. – You didn't tell me you got married and why I'm seeing her for the first time?

– 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.