Sylvia froze.
“There shouldn’t be anyone,” he whispered.
Maria quickly put the folders in a bag she was carrying. I stood ready to jump, but I didn’t know where.
The footsteps approached. They stopped in front of the door.
The handle moved.
Sylvia came closer and whispered:
“If it’s the maid, I’ll be fine. If it’s the security guard… run through the back door of the office. It leads to a courtyard.”
Maria nodded.
The door opened.
And on the threshold… stood Kalin.
His eyes lit up when he saw us.
“There you are,” he said quietly, with a smile that made me perk up. “You’re right here.”
Sylvia stood up.
“What are you doing here?” she asked. “Vladimir is gone.”
Kalin laughed.
“Vladimir sent me,” he said. “He’s not stupid. He knew you’d try something.”
Maria stepped forward.
“Kalin, if you take even one step, you will regret it,” she said.
Kalin raised his hands, feigning innocence.
“A lawyer,” he said. “Very scary. But this house has rules. And you broke them.”
His gaze fell on the bag.
“What did you get?” he asked.
“Nothing,” said Maria.
Kalin smiled.
“You’re lying,” he whispered. “But it doesn’t matter. Vladimir wants one thing. Nikola.”
His gaze shifted to me.
“You’re a thorn in his side,” said Kalin. “A poor cashier who pretends to be a hero. Vladimir doesn’t like people like that. They spoil the story.”
I gritted my teeth.
“I’m not pretending,” I said. “I am.”
Kalin laughed, then suddenly became serious.
“You will come with me,” he said. “And you will sign what is necessary.”
“No,” I replied.
Kalin sighed, as if getting tired.
– Okay – he said. – Then Raya will sign. Or Mila.
My heart stopped.
“Don’t involve them,” I growled.
Kalin approached.
“They’re already involved,” he whispered.
Maria abruptly pulled out her phone.
“I’m recording,” he said. “I’m recording your threats.”
Kalin smiled.
“Write them down,” he replied. “No one will hear them.”
And then, from the hallway, another voice was heard. Deep, calm.
– I will hear them.
We all turned around.
Peter stood on the threshold.
His face was tense, but his eyes were firm.
“Dad isn’t here, Kalin,” said Peter. “But I am. And I’m part of this house too.”
Kalin turned pale for a moment, then smiled.
“Peter…” he said. “Don’t interfere. This is a job for adults.”
Peter stepped forward.
“I study law,” he said. “And I know what blackmail is. And I know what abuse is. And I know that if you touch Mila, I will destroy you with the law.”
Kalin laughed.
“With the law?” he repeated. “You are a child.”
Peter took out a phone.
“No,” he said. “I am a witness. And I have already sent copies of the documents from Maria’s safe to another address. If anything happens to us, these documents will get where they need to go.”
Kalin froze. His smile disappeared.
“You…” he whispered.
