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Compared to the firms that once existed here in America, they were a different breed in Russia Hardcore I could tell Ksenia had seen some shit

“Are you visiting?” I asked politely

Her face fell, and she released my hands “The o My sons have all passed on I have no grandchildren With nothing to keep me in Rossiya, I decided to be closer to my sister”

Well, shit “I’h

She forced a sh I don’t have much, I claiinning” I’m sure she hadn’tand dark With an alal nod, she said, “I will leave you to visit with my niece”

She left us to it and closing the door behind me, I approached cautiously

Anika stood in the center of her room, and while she did her best to appear happy to seesleeves of her tee, pulling thesomewhat childlike

“Hey,” I said almost shyly

Whatever had been building up inside her broke like a dam Her eyes filled with tears, and she lowered her face, a single teardrop trailing her nose and falling to the floor

Da

I rushed over and used ht and safety “I’”

“No, it’s not that” She sniffled in my ear

Her ar, my protective instincts took over I pulled back to search her face It was pale and drawn She looked frightened “What’s going on? Are you okay?”

The silence spoke volumes It made the hair on the back of my neck stand

“I can’t talk about it” She wanted to I could feel it As if doubling down, Anika just shook her head “It doesn’t matter You can’t help me”

What?

Who was this person?

I couldn’t help her?

Come now Of course I could

As ently using my thumb to wipe away her tears My friend was a ”