Episode 17

NARRATOR

Irina and Dmitry returned to the mansion with his family. Everyone was aware and helped Dmitry destroy Irina's supposed family because they saw them not as a family but as a pack of wolves that killed for food. Of course, they killed for money, and now that Dmitry knows this, he is more vigilant about Irina's safety because he knows what they are capable of for money. That's why there was always a guard near her, apart from those who accompanied her all the time. He is now happy because she is speaking, but that doesn't mean he isn't worried about her safety. That's why he decided to postpone the surgery he had planned to walk again. He plans this surgery secretly from everyone because he knows how nervous they would get, considering the risks involved. But he is willing to take the risk. He wants to give Irina her dream wedding, and that includes standing at the altar waiting for her.

As soon as they arrived at the mansion, Irina went to rest. He gathered his family and informed them about the situation. Of course, everyone supported him and promised to help in any way they could. For now, Irina's father and her ex were losing a lot of money as their brothers had exposed several of their dirty businesses, resulting in significant losses. However, Dmitry doesn't doubt that by pushing them to such desperation, they will intensify their search for Irina because she is the only one who could take away the inheritance left by her late mother. So, for them, the best solution is to find her and prevent her from giving birth to her child. Well, not everyone agrees.

"Ines, this is madness. She's pregnant. Leave her alone. Let's find a way to move forward. Irina is part of the past. If her mother left that money for her, give it to her. I don't understand your obsession with her," Steve said.

"Is it because you like the mute girl, or is that child yours, and you lied to me when you said you never touched her?" Ines asked angrily.

"I have never lied to you. That child is not mine. Our only and first child is the one I'm expecting with you. You know that. Stop creating scenarios in your head. I just want them to stop thinking about Irina," Steve replied.

"I am her father, and I will do whatever I deem necessary. Irina cannot have that child. Moreover, what can she teach him? She's mute. I'm sure her child will be the same," Irina's father stated.

"That's no longer your concern. Irina is old enough to know what she's doing," Steve expressed.

"Of course, it is my concern. I am her father, and she owes me obedience and respect. She must explain her actions," Irina's father insisted.

"Do as you wish, but count me out of that atrocity. That baby is not to blame for what adults do," Steve said before leaving his in-laws and Ines alone.

"Don't worry, Dad, I will talk to him to calm him down and get his support," Ines assured.

"He'd better, or at least make sure he keeps quiet and doesn't reveal anything we discussed here," Ines' father replied.

"Don't worry, I'll talk to him," Ines left to search for Steve.

However, she didn't know where she could find him, so she decided to go to the house they both shared where she expected to find him upset. But Steve knew she would look for him, so he went to a bar instead. He didn't want to get involved in the madness that his wife and in-laws wanted to commit. He had treated Irina badly, but he would never seek to harm an innocent baby who had no fault in the adults' ambition.

Apart from drinking, Steve started looking for investors for his company. He didn't intend to rely on Irina's money to make his business succeed. He would do it on his own. No matter how desperate he was for money, he didn't want to stain his hands with the blood of an unborn baby. For that reason, he decided to sell his mansion, invest the money, and move to a small two-bedroom apartment with a kitchen, living room, and dining area, where he would start from scratch. He didn't care about that. But Ines should decide whether to continue supporting him or return to her parents because he wanted to work to make his business thrive.

On the other hand, Irina was happy with her family. Although she still remembered her mother's death, she preferred to let Dmitry take care of her father and stepmother. She wanted to dedicate herself to her son, work with her husband, and focus on her marriage. Now that she can speak, she is practicing all the languages she learned but never practiced pronunciation. Now that she is doing it, Dmitry also asked her to read for him. He loves his wife's voice, and she happily obliges. Everything was going well until Victor called him to tell him that Celeste and the baby were gone. Only a note with a simple "thank you" remained. His brother sounded desperate, so he decided to go see him. He had no idea about his brother's feelings for Celeste.

"My queen, I'll find out what happened to my brother and where Celeste is, and then I'll come back," Dmitry said.

"No, I want to accompany you. That way, if they find her, it will be easier for her to talk to me," Irina replied.

"Yes, you're right. She is traumatized by what that man did to her. Maybe that's why she left. Let's go," Irina said. She helped Dmitry leave the mansion, and they headed to the apartment where Celeste, the baby, and Victor were staying.

They didn't expect to find a very desperate Victor looking for her in such a short time. They had become an important part of his life, and he didn't want to stop seeing them.

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