«Tomorrow?» Ruslan faltered. «Tomorrow I have a ’rendezvous’ with her father. I want to show Mr. Limpson something new, but in the evening I’ll be free.»
«Oh, thank you so much.» Vlad shook his hand again. They heard a car park next to the house. Oleg got out, and Ruslan’s face clouded.
Oleg also noticed Ruslan. Vlad saw him approach Lana and say something to her.
Ruslan and Vlad went close, and Lana turned toward them with an apologetic smile. «We have to go. Have fun.»
«Thank you very much,» the Lapins said again.
Larisa was already in the pool. Laughing loudly, she was playing and jumping in the water enjoying the space, and, seeing her sincere delight, all the adults felt happy.
* * * * *
Returning home after the talk, David VanStein went to the kitchen and was surprised not to find dinner waiting for him. He opened the refrigerator, looking for something to eat.
He heard someone enter. David saw his wife, and smiled. «Honey, I’m starving. How about dinner?»
Staring at him, Megan did not reply. Tears glistened in her eyes. Her reply struck the man like the discharge of a defibrillator, making his body shudder and his heart beat wildly.
«I know everything,» she breathed out, and David slowly stood up.
«I don’t want to be third.» Megan sniffed, and continued resolutely. «Take your stuff and get out of here.»
«She has never asked me to marry her.» David did not recognize his own voice. «Honey, it was just an accident. I swear.»
«An accident?» yelled Megan crazily. «You bastard. I hate you! Get out!»
David slammed the refrigerator door. He felt guilty, and became angry as never before in his life.
«You asked for it, you got it!» he shouted at Megan’s face, and dashed to his room. He grabbed a bag and crammed some of his belongings inside. Trying not to think at all, he ran out of the house.
«David!» he heard his name called in a voice full of pain and despair. Not looking back, he jumped into his car, and drove away so fast that the tires screeched.
On his way, David VanStein calmed down a little. He was thinking about Marina. He remembered her unsmiling face, her gray blue transparent eyes, and he barely controlled the car. As the images of his children and Megan started to appear, David forced himself to push them aside.
«Later, later,» he whispered, trying to concentrate his thoughts on Marina.
«I love my kids,» shaken, the professor said to himself. «She’ll understand… She’s so kind… Megan… How could you… You should not have talked to me like that… I don’t want to… Oh, Marina, help me