– Yes, I know, thank you, – she reached up and kissed him somewhere on the neck. Spartacus immediately put his arms around her, and they continued on their way.

When they finally reached the house, they found several cars parked at the gate.

– It's Dad, – Nadezhda said with mixed feelings. They stopped and before she could rush out into the street, he held her up by grabbing her arm. Nadezhda looked at him questioningly.

– I hope you will not leave me? – he muttered in emotion.

She didn't answer. Just smirked and shook her head. Spartacus remained sitting in the car. Some bitter feeling crept into his soul and he didn't want to go home.

– Hello, – he said, after a little while. Guests and his wife and mother were sitting in the living room. Uncle Pasha and his son had gone to work with him.

– Hello, – his father-in-law answered him. Nadezhda sat next to her father, wiping away her tears.

– Why are you crying? – Spartacus asked puzzled, looking at his wife.

– Because her illusion of happiness has come to its end, – her father answered for her.

– It's not an illusion, – Spartacus parried at once, adding, – she's my lawful wife, you have no right.

He pointed to the table with his eyes. Spartacus followed his gaze and saw a piece of paper. He walked over and took it in his hands and began to read a copy of the statement. It was written by a doctor who claimed that he had threatened her, her health, and forced her to issue a pregnancy certificate that didn't really exist.

Spartacus went pale.

– I didn't threaten anyone, – he said in a husky voice.

– You can read it yourself. And then the medical examiner will quickly confirm whether or not my daughter was really pregnant. All the tests will be thorough, believe me, I know how to get things done, – he said.

– I don't understand why you need it? – Spartacus said, hands down, – we love each other, you don't see? Perhaps she really is pregnant now.

The man got up from his seat and came closer to the guy and said, – She's coming home with me now or later when I put you away, take your pick.

– Daddy! – the girl threw herself at his feet, – please, don't touch him! Daddy, it's all my fault. I made him marry me.

– What? – Spartacus's mother, who had been sitting silently on the sofa up to that moment, let out a voice.

– I'm sorry! – With a roar in her voice, said Nadezhda and covered her face.

– It doesn't matter, we are a real married couple. We have feelings and everything that should be between a husband and wife. And whoever is trying to divorce us is making a huge mistake, – said Spartacus, keeping his eyes on the girl's father.

– Get up, – taking her hand, the man turned to his daughter, – go to the car. This conversation is over.

Nadezhda stood up and looked at her husband with eyes full of tears and left the house.

Spartacus lowered his head.

– Now listen here, – Vladimir Aleksandrovich ordered. – Tomorrow you're going to the registry office and you're going to file for divorce. That's it. They will tell you when to come to get the certificate. Your role in my daughter's life is now complete, young man.

He said a short farewell and headed for the door, but when he turned around, he added, «Yes?! If you ever try to meet her again, there will be no mercy.

Spartacus remained standing where he was. A loud silence fell upon him and began to choke with its big gray arms. His mother was saying something, wailing, crying, but he couldn't hear her. Some incomprehensible grief came down from above, like a piece of rock. He continued to stand, clenching his fists and clenching his teeth.

Impossible be very happy person. Can sometimes, spend several days in the clouds. But not for long. And from time to time it is worth returning to the ground. Otherwise, a fall from a flight height can be deafeningly painful.

He threw his mother's car keys on the table and said quietly, – There are things in the car, gifts that Nadia and I bought for all of you, take them out, mom please.

She followed with frightened eyes her son, who walked into their married bedroom. After a few minutes, she followed him in fright and immediately opened the door. He was standing at the window, leaning his palms on. Then turning to look at her, he asked, – Have you taken everything yet?

– No, – she answered in a confused voice.

Spartacus didn't understand why she came so, and with such a frightened look, but then guessed and covered his eyes and sighed, – O come on! I'm not so weak. Only weak men lay hands on themselves. Calm down.

– Oh, son, I was really scared, you were talking so calmly.

– Don't worry, – he sighed briefly and said quietly, – I'm not crazy, Mom.

– Okay, son. Everything will be all right, I'm sure. I know she loves you.

– I know that, too.

– Son, this is a bad time, – said mother excitedly, – but I wanted to ask, did she take the brooch with her? Of grandmother's, the one I gave her the other day.

– No, it is in the drawer, – he answered, with a brief glance at the top drawer.

– Oh, well, thank God, – said Katerina Aleksandrovna, and quietly went out the door.

Spartacus followed her with a glance and went back to his thoughts. What he could do and what his chances were. – As long as he's poor, nothing, – his inner voice told him. He made his way to the dresser and pulling out a drawer took a small velvet box and opened it. In it lay a brooch and his Swiss watch, which he sometimes wore. Taking the jewel in his hands, Spartacus sat down on the bed and began to twirl it in his fingers, scrutinizing it from all sides. The large emerald was flanked by smaller, sparkling diamond stones.

Carefully putting the jewel back, he locked the box and hid it in a secluded place.

Her eyes full of tears, the pose at the despot's feet, wouldn't leave his mind. Damn that daddy!

Sitting and replaying the scene in his mind was a waste of time; he walked quietly out of the house and got behind the wheel. Something had to be done. It was urgent. But what? All sorts of options were swirling in his mind, to sell the car at once and use the money to go on a chase, to try to steal it and make a run for it. Eventually, her father would leave them alone. Or… try to act legally, report him to the police…

– God… what am I talking about?! – Rubbing his eyes, he commented on his thoughts.

Spartacus drove onto the highway and began to pick up speed. The state of hopelessness terrified him. As if only now the meaning of what had happened began to come to him. He silently let his own wife be taken from his arms. He didn't move. How could it be?

He would not go to any registry office, not tomorrow, not today, not ever! He will go to Moscow right now. He dialed his stepfather's number and asked him to tell his mother that he would be away for a few days so she would not worry. Some urgent business had come up.

It would not be out of place if he had someone to help him in this difficult matter. But all of his acquaintances and friends were on the same social ladder as he was. Some were a little higher, some a little lower, but he knew no one who was influential or close to that level. He could only count on himself and his hands. He took hold of the steering wheel and drove on.

By morning he had almost reached Voronezh. He was washed with fatigue. He no longer understood why he was going and where he was going. Most likely he would not even get to see her, and it was possible that he could be caught there and sent behind bars, opening a case against him. Where is he going?! But to go on living his old life was henceforth impossible. He must do something. At least try.

Maybe, after all, he could talk to her father one more time. He must understand. He is human or what?!