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God, I'm such a dick

The need to escape becareater

"Falkov?" someone called We all looked down the hall to see a nurse scanning the area Nikolai's parents immediately rushed toward her Nikolai looked at me and said, “There must be news on Maks"

"Go," I said with a jerk of my head "I'll be fine"

"Are you sure?"

I nodded

“Don’t leave," Nikolai said

As et the hell out of there, I knew that if I left, Nikolai would feel obligated to come after me I couldn't and wouldn’t do that to Nikolai or his family

"I'll stay, I promise”

Nikolai heldHe took a few steps down the hall but stopped when his niece whispered so to him He looked down at her and then turned around "Are you okay if she stays with you?" Nikolai asked “She’s not a fan of hospitals"

I looked at the little girl "Of course," I said "That's fine"

I had no clue what to do with the child, but if keeping an eye on her helped Nikolai out, I’d do it I considered his coain wondered if this wasn't a first-time experience for the family

Nikolai said soirl and set her on her feet She sidled up next to me and put her hand in mine

"Thank you," Nikolai said to ave my free hand a squeeze before he turned to join his parents The nurse led them into a room

I looked down at Natalia "Do you want to sit?" I asked I looked overroom

"There's a play area over there," she said as she pointed to a sos"

I let the little girl leadwith various toys Natalia held on to e plastic bin