Page 108 of Ruthless Serenade

But with Maron, she’s gone silent. It hurts him; I can see it in his eyes. He’s trying so hard to connect with Sharon but with no success so far.

"When do you think we should tell her I’m her dad?" Maron asks.

"Let’s give her a little time to heal," I reply, my heart aching with the weight of the secret we still carry.

We sink into a comfortable silence, drinking in the pristine winter scene before us. From our spot on the patio, steam rising from our warm drinks, we watch December paint its first masterpiece. Last night’s snow blankets everything in sight, and though it’s barely afternoon, the Sun is already approaching the horizon, bathing the landscape in honey-gold light.

"You know," I whisper softly, "it still feels surreal, sometimes. I never thought we’d be together. You, me, and Sharon."

Maron leans over, his lips brushing the top of my head with such tenderness that a certain area between my legs starts to tingle. "You better get used to it,lisichka, because I’m not going anywhere," he murmurs.

A smile tugs at my lips, words of love and passion forming on my tongue, when my phone buzzes against the table. Alexis’s name illuminates the screen. She’s been staying at my place since the night of Sharon’s kidnapping, worried sick about her niece. Ever since I broke the news about Sharon’s ordeal, she’s been checking in on us every single day like clockwork.

"Let me take this," I murmur to Maron. "It’s my sister."

Maron’s eyes soften with understanding as he rises silently, giving me the space I need.

"Hey, sis," I answer the call, settling against the balcony railing. "How are things back home? We’re still at Maron’s house."

"Going well, sis," Alexis’s voice carries that worried-sister tone she’s perfected lately. "Everything okay? How’s Sharon doing?"

"She’s getting there," I tell her, letting a heavy sigh escape. The weight of what happened still sits heavy in my chest.

There’s a loaded pause on the other end of the line. "And you and Maron?"

A smile sneaks onto my face before I can help it. "We’re giving it another shot."

"Wow," Alexis breathes. "That’s... big. I’m happy for you, sis!"

"Thanks, sis. It’s crazy, but it feels... right." The certainty in my voice surprises even me.

"As long as you’re happy, sis," Alexis says, warmth flooding through her words. Then her tone shifts, taking on that slightnervous edge. "So, um, speaking of changes... remember that um… guy I told you about? The one from rehab?"

"Yep. How are things going with him?"

"Well, I... It looks like we’re also getting serious, Mindy."

I straighten up, pleasant surprise coursing through me. "That’s amazing, Alexis! I’m really happy for you."

"Thanks, sis." There’s a shuffling sound, followed by Alexis clearing her throat. "Actually, I was wondering... Since you’re at Maron’s now... would it be okay if he crashed here for a few nights? Only a few nights, I swear." She rushes the words out, then adds with a hint of excitement threading through her voice, "We actually have a few viewings lined up for next week. We decided to move in together."

I feel my stomach tighten. Part of me wants to say no, to clutch that space like the security blanket it’s been all these years. It’s my apartment - my sanctuary, my escape route, my piece of independence. But then my heart softens, remembering how hard Alexis has worked since rehab, pouring herself into being the sister I need and the aunt Sharon deserves.

I draw in a steadying breath, pushing down my hesitation. "Sure, Lex. As long as you don’t trash the place," I add with a lightness.

Alexis responds with a squeal so high-pitched I have to yank the phone from my ear, wincing. Her unbridled joy almost makes up for the nervous flutter in my stomach.

"Oh my God, thank you, Mindy!" The words tumble out of her in a rush of excitement. "You’re the best sister ever, you know that?"

I push my lips into a smile, knowing she can’t see it but hoping she can hear it. "Yeah, yeah. But seriously, take good care of the place, okay?"

"Hey," she says, her tone softening. "Don’t worry. We’ll take care of it like it’s our own. And it’ll only be a few days before we find our own place."

As I end the call, an unexpected feeling emerges. That peculiar sensation of watching a door close while another opens. It’s like standing on the edge of something vast and new, my heart caught between the thrill of moving forward and the bittersweet ache of letting go.

It’s exciting and terrifying, all at once.

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