Page 40 of Secret Bratva Twins

Chiara hangs back in the doorway, her arms wrapped protectively around Leo. She doesn’t move, but I feel her watching every detail, her sharp gaze cutting through my carefully crafted display of hospitality.

Alyssa races toward the bed, bouncing on it before darting to the bookshelf. “Look, Mommy! They haveallthe princess books!” She pulls one down and hugs it to her chest. “Can I read this before bed?”

“You can read anything you want,” I say, my tone lighter than usual. Alyssa grins up at me, and for a moment, I see the unguarded joy of a child.

Chiara finally steps inside, but only far enough to let the door close behind her. Her hold on Leo shifts as he squirms, reaching toward the bunk bed. “Is that mine?” he murmurs, his voice soft but curious.

“It is,” I answer before Chiara can. “Come on, try it out.”

Chiara hesitates, her body stiffening as if anticipating a trap. Slowly, she lowers Leo to the floor, letting him wander toward the bed. He climbs onto the lower bunk, his little hands clutching the plush comforter, and lets out a small laugh as he bounces.

Alyssa joins him, climbing onto the smaller bed to inspect the pillows. “It’s like a sleepover, Mommy!”

Chiara stands frozen, her eyes darting between the two of them and then to me. I meet her stare, holding it steady. I can see the war playing out in her mind—her relief that the children are happy, her fear of what strings might be attached.

“You don’t trust me,” I say quietly, my words for her alone.

Her lips press together. “Should I?”

I step closer, keeping my movements deliberate. “They’ll have everything they could ever need here. They’ll be safe, cared for, and happy.” My gaze drops to where Leo is now cuddling a stuffed bear he’s found on the bed. “Isn’t that what you want?”

“What Iwantis for them to be free,” she says, her voice sharp and low.

“They are,” I counter, my tone firm. “This is their home now. This is their life.”

Chiara doesn’t respond. She turns back to the children, her expression softening as Alyssa whispers something to Leo that makes him giggle. Despite her defiance, I see the faintest crack in her armor.

She doesn’t trust me yet, but she will.

Chapter Sixteen - Chiara

The room is brighter than I expected. Sunlight pours in from the oversized windows, catching the light blue walls and the soft white of the canopy bed Alyssa immediately claimed as hers. She’s already tossing the throw pillows onto the floor, her laughter bouncing off the walls as Leo giggles from his smaller bed nearby.

I linger near the door, my arms crossed tightly over my chest. The knot in my stomach won’t ease, no matter how innocent this setup appears. It’s a beautiful room—too beautiful. Everything about it screams perfection, from the carefully chosen books to the plush, oversized stuffed animals arranged neatly in the corner.

How did Serge pull this off?

It’s hard to imagine him bothering with things like this. A child-themed room, so perfectly suited for them, couldn’t have been a coincidence. My fingers twitch as my gaze sweeps over the thoughtful details. A small shelf of art supplies sits against the far wall—colored pencils, sketchbooks, even jars of glitter and glue. Alyssa will love it.

I hate how much it fits. I hate how easily he’s won them over.

Leo calls out, holding a stuffed bear tightly against his chest. “Mommy, it’s so soft!” He rubs his cheek against the bear’s fuzzy ear, his delight pulling at my heart.

I crouch down beside him, smoothing his blond curls. “Do you like it?”

He nods, his smile wide and innocent. “Can I keep it?”

“Of course, sweetheart. It’s yours now.”

The words feel strange in my mouth. How much of this is really theirs? How much of it can I trust?

Behind me, Serge’s presence looms. He stands near the window, watching us with an unreadable expression. For once, he’s silent. Not issuing commands or reminding me how little control I have.

Instead, he looks… patient.

I shake the thought off and focus on the children. Alyssa is already climbing under the gauzy canopy, arranging the blankets to her liking. Leo watches her, then looks back at me with wide eyes. “Is it bedtime, Mommy?”

“Not yet,” I say, pulling him into a hug. “You can play for a while first. Explore your new room.”

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