At her words, Briar noted Liev’s eyes watering and him blinking back the tears. Dad. Likely a word he hadn’t anticipated, and it was hitting him hard as he hugged the child to his chest.
“It’s okay, docha,” he whispered pressing his lips to the top of her head. “You are entitled to be unhappy with the way things have gone. I made your mom rush to tell you about me. In hindsight, I should have given her the evening to talk to you. I was simply so excited to come to you and I pushed her and you.”
It wasn’t what she was expecting him to say but Briar kept her mouth shut and didn’t argue. She had mucked up the explanation to the child and put the fear of Liev stealing her away into her young mind. She closed her eyes as she lay against her pillow.
“What does docha mean?” Briar asked with h
