Dajana hurried toward Viktoria’s house with her head held high and her shoulders pulled back. She’d had enough of the whole circus and wanted to put an end to this nightmare once and for all. A tight knot formed in her throat, but she didn’t slow down.
Günther, Heidi, and Uwe were having coffee on the terrace. All three were absorbed in their phones. A leftover half-smile lingered on Günther’s face while the two teenagers flicked quickly through their screens. None of them noticed Dajana approaching, slightly out of breath.
“Knock, knock,” she panted. “Is the lady of the house around?”
Günther lifted his head mechanically. His blank expression took a few seconds to come to life as his brain processed that a real person was standing in front of him. A neighbor. Talking to him.
“S-she’s working,” Günther muttered. “Come sit with us. I’ll get you some coffee.”
He stood, pulled out the fourth chair for Dajana, and went inside. By the time she sat down, he was already back with a dark blue glazed cup and matching saucer.
“Sorry,” Dajana said apologetically. “I completely forgot Viktoria actually has a job.” She laughed lightly. “Ever since she started taking care of Ted, I’ve been thinking of her more as his nurse.”
The corner of Günther’s mouth twitched. His face seemed to drain of what little color it had left. The cup rattled against the saucer in his trembling hand.
Heidi and Uwe exchanged a glance. Not a single careless movement escaped Dajana’s notice.
“Well,” Günther coughed awkwardly, “yes. Fortunately our friend Ted is doing much better now.”
Heidi raised one eyebrow with open sarcasm.
Dajana’s gaze moved back and forth between the teenagers and their father. Every muscle in her body tightened with concentration. She had to keep pushing.
“What a sacrifice,” she sighed. “I’m not sure I could do it myself. I mean… medication, IV lines, inserting catheters…”
Günther’s cup slipped from his hand and shattered on the yellowish stone floor.
Heidi shot Dajana a furious look, which Dajana returned without blinking.
“Oh, Günther,” she fussed theatrically, bending down to help pick up the shards.
“I—I don’t know what came over me,” Günther stammered. “I think I need to lie down. I’m dizzy… and my stomach’s acting up.”
Dajana grabbed his wrist.
“Just go rest. We’ll clean up here with the kids, right guys?”
Now it was she who fixed Heidi with a piercing stare.
The teenagers reluctantly stood and crouched beside Dajana. Günther didn’t argue; he hurried away.
A heavy silence settled between them, but Dajana seemed completely unfazed. With calm, practical movements she gathered the shards, cleared the table, and loaded the dishes into the dishwasher. When she finished, she even wiped down the kitchen counter so everything would be spotless.
She didn’t notice that Uwe had come up behind her.
“He definitely didn’t put a catheter in that bastard,” he whispered hoarsely.
Dajana clutched her chest. Her heart was pounding in her ears.
“Uwe, good God,” she groaned. “You scared the hell out of me.”
The boy looked at her pleadingly. A tear glinted in the corner of his eye.
“Don’t spread things like that. I don’t want my parents to get divorced.”
Heat rushed to Dajana’s face. Her eyelids felt heavy. She reached toward Uwe’s shoulder, but the boy instinctively pulled away. Embarrassed, Dajana shoved her hands into her pockets.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” she whispered.
Without saying goodbye, she left the house with her head lowered.
She walked straight into a body wrapped in silk. The powdery scent that suddenly filled her nose sent a jolt through her. She jumped back.
“Jesus,” she groaned. “That’s the second time today my heart’s nearly stopped.”
Viktoria stood in front of her, pale as a sheet and completely motionless. She said nothing. One eyebrow twitched slightly.
She was waiting for an explanation.
“Well,” Dajana stammered, “Viktoria… I thought you were at work.”
“I forgot something at home.”
“I just wanted to chat with my friend for a bit.”
“I don’t really have time.”
Dajana lowered her head and let her shoulders drop. She took a long, deep breath, waited until her lungs filled, then slowly let it out. Her shoulders straightened again as she lifted her eyes to Viktoria.
“Too bad,” she whispered. “Because we really fucking need to talk.”
Viktoria swayed slightly. Her lashes fluttered in alarm. You could hear her swallow.
“Let me get the family out of the house for a bit.”
Dajana nodded.
*
Viktoria didn’t ask a single question once they were alone. She sank onto the couch wearily, her head resting in her palm as she waited for Dajana to explain why she had come.
Dajana didn’t drag it out. She sat down beside her, leaning back against a soft cushion.
“We’re in deep shit, Viktoria.”
The German mother gave a short nod to show she understood. Her fingers slid up to cover her mouth.
“You can only keep the amount they approve. So if you want to play it safe, ask for twice what you’d actually settle for.”
“He took everything from my father,” she whispered.
“Exactly. And you held him captive. Catheterized him… you could be looking at serious prison time for that. If I were you, I’d name the price of a house like this. Then you’ll definitely get half. That’s enough to buy an apartment for your kids. Don’t push for more.”
“And you’re their intermediary?”
“No. I’m the one who called the police. And they’re pretty damn angry with me now that they didn’t get to deal with you themselves.” She cleared her throat. “You’re welcome.”
Viktoria’s eyes narrowed.
“I don’t understand.”
Dajana placed her hand on Viktoria’s thigh.
“That’s fine. What matters is that we’re both alive… and we’re not in prison.”
She paused.
“Yet.”