Page 21 of Secret Bratva Twins

I chuckle, holding the phone out to put the call on speaker. “You’re popular this morning.”

“Well,buongiornoto my favorite little ones!” Dante’s warm greeting makes both of them giggle. “What mischief are you two causing for your mama?”

“I’m not causing mischief,” Leo declares, puffing out his chest. “I’m a good boy.”

“He’s the one who cheats at hide and seek,” Alyssa retorts, pointing an accusatory finger at her brother.

“I do not!” Leo shouts, and I rub my temple, already feeling the day’s chaos brewing.

“Sounds like your hands are full,” Dante teases.

“Always,” I reply, smoothing Alyssa’s wild curls. “But it keeps things interesting.”

He laughs softly, but his tone shifts as he speaks again. “How are you holding up, Chiara, really?”

The sincerity in his voice sends a pang through me. Dante is the only person who truly knows what I’m dealing with. He’s been my lifeline, my anchor in a world that constantly feels like it’s slipping away.

“I’m fine,” I say, a little too quickly. “Everything’s quiet here.”

He doesn’t push, but I know he’s not convinced. “I’ll check in soon. Be careful, Chiara. Kiss those troublemakers for me.”

“Will do,” I reply, ending the call and placing the phone on the nightstand.

I hang up, and send the kids upstairs to get ready. It’s a slow morning, Leo complaining loudly while Alyssa refuses to bathe.

As I wrangle the twins into their play clothes for the day, the doorbell rings. It’s Hannah, their babysitter, right on time.

“Hey, Ms. Chiara!” she chirps, stepping inside and slipping off her sneakers. Her bright smile and natural warmth instantly fill the room.

“Hi, Hannah,” I greet her, passing over the twins’ favorite snacks. “Thanks for coming. I’ve got a few errands to run, so I’ll be gone for a couple of hours.”

“No problem at all,” she says, crouching down to the twins’ level. “What’s the plan today, you two?”

“Hide and seek!” Leo shouts.

“Again?” Hannah feigns shock. “Alright, but I’m warning you—I’m the best hider in this house.”

The twins erupt into giggles as she leads them toward the living room. I grab my keys and turn back to them. “Be good for Hannah, okay? I’ll be back soon.”

They nod enthusiastically, already distracted by the prospect of their game. As I step outside, a cool breeze greets me, and for a brief moment, I let myself relax.

The drive into town is uneventful, the open road a stark contrast to the buzzing energy back home. My first stop is the small grocery store, where I stock up on essentials. As I push my cart down the aisle, I can’t help but think about how different my life is now. The quiet, the anonymity—it’s what I always wanted, but it comes at a cost.

By the time I load the groceries into the car and head to the hardware store, my mind is already racing through the rest of my to-do list. There’s always something to fix or replace on the farm. Today, it’s the barn door, thanks to Leo’s overzealous slam last week.

The store owner greets me warmly, chatting about the upcoming town fair. Everyone here knows me as Chiara DeLeo, the reserved woman who keeps to herself. They don’t pry, and I don’t offer much. It’s a fragile peace, one I’m desperate to preserve.

When I pull into the driveway, I’m greeted by the sound of laughter. Leo and Alyssa are running around the yard, Hannah close behind, laughing as she tries to catch them.

“How’d it go?” I ask as I step out, juggling grocery bags.

“Great,” Hannah replies, slightly out of breath. “They’ve got way more energy than I expected, but we had fun.”

“Thank you,” I say sincerely, handing her a bag of snacks as a small token of appreciation. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

She waves me off with a smile. “Anytime. They’re good kids, Ms. Chiara. You’re doing great.”

Her words stick with me as I watch her drive away. For all the fear and uncertainty, I’ve built a good life here. The twins are happy, and that’s all that matters.

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