father had been well into old age and had lived a long, full life. Still, it was painful to watch the once commanding man, who had lov

to a young woman standing on the opposite side of the grave. He clung to the hope, right up until the last second, that it

ul. Apparently, no such miracle had occurred. Hideous, shapeless leggings. An oversized black T-shi

uttered beside him, le

king about?" Vlad

e kids? The one with the girl in a headscarf on the wra

had insulted his fiancée- but because he was infuriatingly right. This was not

randpa," he m

e was going? The nerve. His grandfather had loved her more than his own grandsons, and she could

ing him back to the present. "Yo

d replied, alread

and when she realized he was fo

lad scoffed, cutting across another path to

lked straight into him, not even noticing he had stepped into her path

icely shaped nose. Not a complete disaster. He could mold this girl into something acceptable.

wrist when she tried to step back. "Do you think this is appr

ell, that's all..." she

o me. We're going back bef

ern for whether it hurt. Girls like her should

What gives you the right to grab me like that? You're his

more assured. She rubbed the spot on

ure husband-every right. But it wa

l it's over. After that, you'r

tle thing, he t

ous smile, then turned sharply

lad muttered as he headed back. There was no time to chase his bride now. In

rothers stepped forward first to say goodbye to their grandfather, follo

g handfuls of earth into the grave, people

heard so many times that day they had lost count. But coming from Katerina

" Stas said politely, though a faint smile tugged at his m

your loss," the woman said softly.

ed, adopting the solemn expression expected of a grieving grandson. "

ch looking forward to s

y, lifting his hands and stepping aside. "I

ed down the path, leaving

something important I need to discuss with you, and I can't postpon

a warm smile. "Nadya is very much

you tonight,