Free Web NovelChapter 148: Mikaela Zakhrov
Ruth and Mikaela entered the house to find Annette slumped over the table with another empty magnum bottle dangling from her hand.
With a shake of her head, Ruth led Mikaela up the stairs.
Mikaela quickly packed a set of night clothes, and her toothbrush in a backpack, and followed Ruth outside.
"Bye, Mikaela. Be good," said Stefan, as he and Anna got into the parked Aventador.
"Bye Mr. Stanislaus, bye Anna," said Mikaela, as Anna waved, a little reluctantly.
Mikaela and Ruth crossed the street, and entered Edward’s house. freёwebnovel.com
"Staying the night with Captain Hawkins? OK, be good, Princess. I’ll be leaving now," said Ivan, as he and Edward finished arranging the table.
"I wish I could move in with you, Daddy," said Mikaela.
"I do too, Princess. Mr. Stanislaus and I are working on getting that to happen," said Ivan.
"OK, bye Daddy," said Mikaela, giving Ivan a tight hug.
"Bye Princess," said Ivan, and left.
---
Mikaela awoke to the smell of waffles.
It took her a moment to remember that she had spent the night at Edward’s house in his spare bedroom.
She quickly freshened up, and padded down the stairs to find Edward toasting waffles in the kitchen.
"Why is it that you and Daddy cook better than Mom?" she asked, as she sat at the dining table.
"Being a man or a woman has nothing to do with it. Cooking is a skill like any other. Some are naturally good at it, others learn it," chuckled Edward, setting a plate of waffles with blueberry jam in front of her.
"Well, Mom really should take lessons," grumbled Mikaela, as she savored the sweet waffle and tangy blueberry jam.
"Well, these waffles ain’t vegan," chuckled Edward.
"If I hear that word again, I’m going to scream," growled Mikaela.
"Feisty this morning are we?" chuckled Edward.
"More like tired of Mom’s shit - pardon my language," said Mikaela.
"Edward, honey. Something smells delicious," said Ruth coming down the stairs.
Mikaela gaped at Ruth’s sheer white baby-doll and white lace-topped stockings, that showed she had a lithe and slender body with an ample bosom under the conservative lawyer pantsuits she normally wore.
Ruth realized that Mikaela was there, and froze, turning bright red.
"You look nice," said Mikaela, unsure about what to say.
Ruth turned even redder and fled up the stairs to change.
"So that’s what grown-ups wear to bed," said Mikaela, her cheeks pink.
"Well, not always. We mostly wear boring stuff," said Edward, trying to hide his embarrassment.
Ruth returned, still blushing, but now in an oversized t-shirt and sweatpants.
"Here you go," said Edward, handing her a plate of waffles.
"Mikaela. I need you to do me a favor and pretend you never saw that, OK?" asked Ruth.
"I’m ten. I know that you’re dating Captain Hawkins. I allowed it, remember?" chuckled Mikaela.
"Yes, yes you did. Still, that was a little embarrassing for me," said Ruth.
"But you looked pretty in that," said Mikaela.
"I agree," chuckled Edward, which earned him a glare from Ruth.
"Maybe so, but I really shouldn’t be seen like that, not in front of kids," said Ruth.
"Well, your secret is safe," chuckled Mikaela.
"Mikaela?" came Annette’s panicked scream from across the street.
"Well, looks like Mom finally noticed I wasn’t around," said Mikaela, getting up from the dining table.
"Would you like me to come with you?" asked Edward.
"Nah, that will just get you into more trouble with her. I’ll handle it," said Mikaela, opening the front door.
"I don’t know if I should be proud or sad about that," said Edward as he watched her cross the street. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm
"Both. She’s handling this well, but she shouldn’t have to," sighed Ruth.
---
"There you are! I was so worried! Where were you?" demanded Annette, as Mikaela walked through the front door.
"Save it, Mom. I’m fine, and I’m going to study for mid-terms," said Mikaela, and started up the stairs.
"Where were you?" asked Annette again.
"I spent the night with Captain Hawkins and Ms. Hirschfield, since you had gotten wasted," said Mikaela.
Annette looked a little guilty, before she changed tacks.
"Well, that was all your father’s fault!" she snapped.
"Oh give me a break! You’re the one who chugged two bottles of wine! Now leave me alone!" shouted Mikaela, running up the stairs.
"Mikaela Petra, you come here and apologize this instant!" snarled Annette.
Mikaela stopped running, and turned around to face Annette.
"Don’t ever call me that. My name is Mikaela Zakhrov. You will not try to keep Daddy away from me ever again, or I will leave you forever. Got it?" she asked.
Annette staggered backwards, seeing the fierce look in Mikaela’s ice-blue eyes.
"I already ate breakfast, and I need to study for my mid-terms. Call me when it is lunchtime," said Mikaela, and went into her room, slamming the door shut.
---
"Ms. Hirschfield, I am terminating my retainer with you. I’m going to find another lawyer," said Annette, as Edward let her into his living room.
"That is of course your right, Ms. Petra, but before you do that, consider this: You agreed to a supervised visitation with full knowledge that Mr. Zakhrov would be cooking the Thanksgiving dinner. You expected him to not be able to cook, and when he proved you wrong, you felt humiliated and now are taking it out on me, the only real friend you’ve got. I’ll gladly give up my retainer, but you won’t find another lawyer willing to take your case. I can promise you that," said Ruth.
"My daughter just threatened to leave me if I try to keep my dangerous and toxic ex-husband away from me! I cannot protect my family under such an attack! I just want my baby girl to have a normal life without seceding corporate enclaves, and toxic ex-husbands!" wailed Annette, breaking down completely.
Ruth moved forward, and engulfed Annette in a warm hug.
"Look, Annette. Nobody, not even Ivan, is looking to take Mikaela away from you. I’ve already signed a memorandum of understanding with him on your behalf that says you, and only you are the primary caregiver and have sole right of custody. Until Mikaela turns 18 and is a legal adult. You don’t have to worry. OK?" she said soothingly, as Annette sniffled into her chest.
After several moments, Annette finally calmed down, and Edward gave her a steaming cup of Earl Grey tea.
"I-I’m sorry. I know you’ve got my back. Please, continue to be my lawyer," she said contritely.
"Yeah, I will, though your damn antics have really pushed me to consider quitting you," sighed Ruth.
"Look, Annette. I know this is hard to hear, but please listen. You need to get help for that wine problem of yours. It ain’t grape juice. You can’t just bury your stress in the bottle. It ain’t right, not for you, and definitely not for Mikaela," said Edward.
"I am getting help. You sicked a therapist on me didn’t you?" said Annette petulantly
"Yes, but you still need to do your own work on it. How about you get rid of the magnums? A glass of Navy Port is one thing. You won’t get a hangover from it, but chugging down whole bottles is not a good look," said Ruth.
"Yes, thank you for the unsolicited advice. I’ll be going home now, to salvage what’s left of my relationship with my daughter," said Annette, getting up, a vein throbbing in her forehead.
"Annette, please. We’re only-" began Ruth.
"Yeah, yeah I know. You’re only trying to help. Just like how you were trying to help me yesterday by being a snobby bitch! Swirl and sip! Ugh! I hate such pretentiousness!" snarled Annette, marching to the front door.
"And you! Do that cleaning thing, you mentioned! That stinking kitchen is making me nauseous!" she snarled, turning to face Edward.
"I regret even making that offer. You’ve got a phone, use it and call professionals. Now get the hell out of my house!" snarled Edward.
Annette blinked, and her lip started to tremble.
"Oh no! I ain’t falling for that waterworks act. Get the hell out!" shouted Edward, his Southern accent thickening in his anger.
Annette fled out of his front door.
