Page 36 of Secret Bratva Twins

The innocence in her voice cuts through the tension like a blade. I force a smile, crouching down to her level. “No, sweetheart. I’m not mad.”

“Promise?” she asks, her big blue eyes searching mine.

“Promise,” I say, reaching out to smooth her curls.

Serge watches the exchange silently, his expression unreadable. For a moment, I wonder if he’s capable of understanding the depth of what he’s done—of the chaos he’s brought into our lives.

“Go back inside, Aly,” I say gently. “I’ll be there in a minute.”

She nods, disappearing back into the room. As the door clicks shut, I turn to Serge, my resolve hardening. “If you want to play house, fine, but don’t think for a second that I’ll make this easy for you.”

His smirk widens, and for the first time, I see a flicker of amusement in his eyes. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

The moment Serge leaves, the tension in the room lingers like a storm that hasn’t quite passed. His footsteps fade down thehall, but I know better than to think I’m free. There’s no freedom here—just a gilded cage with guards at every corner. I glance toward the door and let out a slow breath, my shoulders sagging as the reality of my situation settles over me like a heavy blanket.

With measured steps, I walk to the door, cracking it open just enough to peek out. Sure enough, a hulking figure stands stationed by the wall across the hallway. One of Serge’s men, no doubt, with a cold stare that makes it clear he’s not there to chat. I close the door quietly, my stomach twisting as I turn back to the small living room where my kids wait.

“Mommy?” Alyssa’s voice pulls me from my thoughts. She’s sitting on the plush couch, her stuffed bunny clutched tightly to her chest. Her wide blue eyes—Serge’s eyes—search mine, filled with curiosity and the faintest hint of worry.

“Hi, baby,” I say softly, forcing a smile as I crouch down to her level. “How are you doing?”

She shrugs, her curls bouncing. “Okay, I guess. Is that man our daddy?”

The question hits me like a punch to the gut. I glance at Leo, who’s busy inspecting a toy car he found on the floor, seemingly uninterested in the conversation. “He says he is,” Alyssa adds, her voice quiet.

I sit down next to her, pulling her into my lap. “He is,” I admit, my voice steady despite the turmoil swirling inside me. “He’s your daddy. Everything’s a little… complicated right now.”

“Why?” she asks, tilting her head. “Is he mad at you?”

I laugh lightly, though there’s no humor in it. “You could say that.”

Leo finally looks up, his little face serious. “He seems nice. He said he’d take us to a park someday. Will he, Mommy?”

I swallow hard, smoothing Alyssa’s curls. “We’ll see,” I say vaguely, not knowing how to explain that Serge doesn’t exactly do normal family outings. The thought of him taking them to a park—a place filled with laughing children and unsuspecting parents—feels absurd. Yet, the way they’ve already warmed to him sends a chill down my spine.

“Does he live with us now?” Alyssa asks, her voice small.

“No, sweetheart. He doesn’t live here. He’s just visiting… for now,” I lie and hold her close, trying to reassure myself as much as her. “Don’t worry. Mommy’s here. Always.”

The door opens slightly, and one of the guards steps in, his gaze cold and detached. “Dinner will be brought up soon,” he says curtly before stepping out and closing the door behind him.

The intrusion grates at me, a harsh reminder that nothing about this is normal. I press a kiss to Alyssa’s forehead and then to Leo’s, fighting the growing knot of fear in my chest. My children don’t deserve this—they don’t deserve him.

Alyssa fidgets with her bunny’s ears. “Mommy, can we play a game?”

“Of course,” I say, trying to sound cheerful. “What do you want to play?”

“Hide and seek!” she exclaims, her smile lighting up her face.

I hesitate, glancing at the door. “Okay, but just in here, alright? No running out into the hall.”

“Okay!” she chirps, hopping off my lap. Leo joins her, his toy car forgotten as they begin counting to ten. I hide behind the couch, trying to lose myself in their laughter, even as my mind races.

What’s Serge doing now? Plotting his next move? Deciding how to further entangle us in his web? The thoughtmakes me sick, but I can’t let it show. Not now. Not in front of them.

“Found you!” Alyssa’s giggle cuts through my thoughts as she peeks around the couch, her smile wide and triumphant.

“You’re too good at this,” I say, pulling her into a hug.

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