He doesn’t say anything, just stares at me. Maybe he doesn’t like the idea of Lena considering me her new mom. That realization hurts, but I make sure it doesn’t show on my face.
“You don’t have to. I just . . .” I sigh. “It’s okay. We can try explaining it to her.”
Mikhail reaches out with his hand, cups my cheek, and leans forward. “Lena never talked about her mother, and I…”—he closes his eye and curses—“I f****d up. I thought she understood. She is too young. I should have tried to explain things better. You and I should have talked first. I can’t ask this of you, Bianca.”
“You are a good father, and you didn’t f**k up anything.” I sign and brush his hand. “And I am okay with Lena thinking about me as her new mom.”
“You are twenty-one, baby.” Mikhail furrows his brows.
“My mo
