"Will you give up the child?"
Sasha blinked, caught off guard by his question, "What?"
"I asked whether, for the sake of dreams, you can give up the child, too?"
Sasha paused for a moment and then gave a small, crooked smile. "This?" She tapped her stomach lightly. "This is nothing but a burden. Honestly, it isn't even a sacrifice. It would be a blessing to take this thing away."
She let out a bitter laugh as she added. "I would even thank whoever took her away."
The man studied her in silence for a heartbeat too long. Then, softly, he said with a nod. "Alright then, I'll help you. I'll give you what you want—fame, fortune, revenge. But in return…" He leaned closer, his breath almost brushing her ear as he said in a hushed tone. "When your child turns seven, her soul will be mine to claim. Deal?"
