hapter 16 I pinch the bridge of my nose . I hate Petras screaming tantrums , but I hate even more when theyre justified . Vlads a man of tradition . To someone like him , honor matters more than anything . And nothing screams dishonor like an out of wedlock baby on the way . We have no choice , Petra says , pacing up and down in her gigantic skirts . We have to handle this . Maybe its not yours , she continues , a crazed look of hope in her eyes . She could be a spy , right ? She could be on our enemies payroll- Petra . My tone forces her to look at me . Like this , all dressed in white and with tear marks on her cheeks , she would make even the most stone hearted man feel like the worst piece of shit to ever walk the Earth . Luckily , thats not my case . A heart of stone is still a heart , after all , and I dont have that burden . She had a paternity test . Its mine . Petra slumps on the floor like a deflated soufflé . Then were done . Its over . Its not over . I crouch to her level , forcing her to look me in the eye . To listen , for fucking once . No one knows about the test . Only me , Yuri , and now , you . And Im having him run the DNA again to be certain . So it could be fake ? Petra blurts out , a glimmer of hope in her eyes . It could be … but I dont think it is . The hope shatters . But , I add , offering Petra a handful of tissues , taking the test will buy us time . Time to convince Vlad to let us move forward . Petra blows into the tissues . Hell never buy it . He will , I tell her confidently . Because well sell it . Well sell it like we sold him this , I say , gesturing between us . And because his baby girl will be there , advocating for her fiancés honor . Petra pauses mid sniffle . Youre dumping this on me , arent you ? Never , I lie . Ill talk to Vlad , too . Ill sing him your praises and say my hands are tied . Waiting for the test is the honorable thing to do . He wont like it , but he wont say no . Chapter 16 Chapter 16 I pinch the bridge of my nose . I hate Petras screaming tantrums , but I hate even more when theyre justified . Vlads a man of tradition . To someone like him , honor matters more than anything . And nothing screams . dishonor like an out of wedlock baby on the way . We have no choice , Petra says , pacing up and down in her gigantic skirts . We have to handle this . Maybe its not yours , she continues , a crazed look of hope in her eyes . She could be a spy , right ? She could be on our enemies payroll- Petra . My tone forces her to look at me . Like this , all dressed in white and with tear marks on her cheeks , she would make even the most stone hearted man feel like the worst piece of shit to ever walk the Earth . Luckily , thats not my case . A heart of stone is still a heart , after all , and I dont have that burden . She had a paternity test . Its mine . Petra slumps on the floor like a deflated soufflé . Then were done . Its over . Its not over . I crouch to her level , forcing her to look me in the eye . To listen , for fucking once . No one knows about the test . Only me , Yuri , and now , you . And Im having him run the DNA again to be certain . So it could be fake ? Petra blurts out , a glimmer of hope in her eyes . It could be … but I dont think it is. The hope shatters . But , I add , offering Petra a handful of tissues . taking the test will buy us time . Time to convince Vlad to let us move forward . Petra blows into the tissues . Hell never buy it . He will , I tell her confidently . Because well sell it . Well sell it like we sold him this , I say , gesturing between us . And because his baby girl will be there , advocating for her fiancés honor . Petra pauses mid sniffle . Youre dumping this on me , arent you ? Never . Ill talk to Vlad , too . Ill sing him your praises and say my hands are tied . Waiting for the test is the honorable thing to do . He wont like it , but he wont say no . My Atonement The Death of His Fut Chapter 17 A light bulle goes off in my head . You mean like a political marriage ? Precisely Lfeel my heart futter I dont know why this clunges anything why Im suddenly feeding ten times Highter . I tell myself that its just about the guilt : ernshing a business deal isnt as bad as crashing another womans dream wedding , right ? Im not a homewrecker after all . That must be it . The sweet relief of an Innocent verdict He isnt with her , a treacherous part of me whispers from the half closed lid of my heart . He hasnt been with her Not like hes been with you . I slap the lid shout . This is neither here not there . Leant know that they havent and besides , what do I ༈॰ 」 །॰། ། Like I said . Yuri huffs , breaking into my thoughts , a farce . He crosses his arms and turns away , glaring at the wall . Somehow , I get the feeling he wasnt thrilled about this whole deal to begin with . Who unows ? Maybe I even did him a favor Itry to imagine what itd be like , knowing one of my siblings is marrying for interest . Power , maybe , or money . If it was Aute . I wouldnt bat an eye . But if it was Charlie … If it was Charlie . Id try to talk him out of it until his last step towards the altar . You must really love your brother , I muse without thinking . Yuri blinks at me in surprise . Yeah , he admits after a beat . Hes everything to me . Thats nice . Siblings should stick together . Who else are you going to complain about your parents to ? Our parents are dead . I am overcome with the urge to kick myself . Is it socially acceptable for a pregnant woman to literally kick herself ? Is that allowed ? Im sorry . I say , feeling mortified . I didnt know . To his credit , Yuri just shrugs . You couldnt . You dont know Matvey . The words sting like a slap . My Atonement The Death of His Chapter 16 I pinch the bridge of my nose . I hate Petras screaming tantrums , but I hate even more when theyre justified . thing screams Vlads a man of tradition . To someone like him , honor matters more than anything . And nothing dishonor like an out of wedlock baby on the way . We have no choice , Petra says , pacing up and down in her gigantic skirts . We have to handle this . Maybe its not yours , she continues , a crazed look of hope in her eyes . She could be a spy , right ? She could be on our enemies payroll = Petra . My tone forces her to look at me . Like this , all dressed in white and with tear marks on her cheeks , she would make even the most stone hearted man feel like the worst piece of shit to ever walk the Earth . Luckily , thats not my case . A heart of stone is still a heart , after all , and I dont have that burden . She had a paternity test . Its mine . Petra slumps on the floor like a deflated soufflé . Then were done . Its over . Its not over . I crouch to her level , forcing her to look me in the eye . To listen , for fucking once . No one knows about the test . Only me , Yuri , and now , you . And Im having him run the DNA again to be certain . So it could be fake ? Petra blurts out , a glimmer of hope in her eyes . It could be … but I dont think it is . The hope shatters . But , I add , offering Petra a handful of tissues , taking the test will buy us time . Time to convince Vlad to let us move forward . Petra blows into the tissues . Hell never buy it . He will , I tell her confidently . Because well sell it . Well sell it like we sold him this , I say , gesturing between us . And because his baby girl will be there , advocating for her fiancés honor . Petra pauses mid sniffle . Youre dumping this on me , arent you ? Never , I lie . Tll talk to Vlad , too . Ill sing him your praises and say my hands are tied . Waiting for the test is the honorable thing to do . He wont like it , but he wont say no . My Moment The Death of 16 But you still need me to sell it . God help me . I nod grimly . It wont work unless it comes from you first . Petra seems to mull it over . I can tell shes almost there : she just needs a little push . You can consider this your first music as vor of the Groza Bratva , I add . Alright , Petra finally sighs . I can tell youre fucking with me , but frankly , I dont care . Attagirl . She rises to her feet unsteadily . What about the pregnant elephant in the room ? Let me worry about her . I start heading towards the door , but Petras voice stops me . Yeah ? Her grav gaze in Her gray gaze is unreadable . Fatherhood really agrees with you . Why would you say that ? Youre smiling . I touch my lips . The unfamiliar shape catches me by surprise . Muscles I scarcely ever use are warming up . Thats your fault , I tell Petra . Youve got a cream cheese beard . As I leave my Upturned . bride to be furiously scrubbing at her chin , I keep checking the corners of my lips . Im pregnant . And its yours . A fath A father , I murmur to myself , stepping back into the elevator . Im going to be a father . APRIL Crash a mob wedding : check . Tell the baby daddy hes going to be a father in front of his bride : check . Get executed Godfather style : still working on it . But , going by the way this guys glaring at me , it might happen sooner than Id like . I should break the ice , I mull over . I should say something , right ? Something smooth . Something nonchalant . Something that will totally make this whole thing go- Im sorry Im sorry I ruined your brothers wedding . I blurt out . The guy only glares at me harder . 21-99 My Atonement : The Death of His Furt 1 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!