Page 41 of Secret Bratva Twins

“They love it,” Serge says quietly.

I glance over my shoulder, my expression guarded. “You’ve made it hard not to.”

He steps closer, his hands in his pockets, and for a moment, I feel trapped between him and the children. “I told you they’d have everything they need here.”

My jaw tightens, but I don’t respond. He doesn’t push me further, just nods toward the door. “I’ll leave you to get them settled. Roman will stay outside if you need anything.”

With that, he turns and strides out, leaving the door open behind him.

I exhale slowly, the tension in my shoulders easing slightly. Alone is better, even if Roman’s shadow lingers just beyond the threshold. At least Serge had the decency to give us space, for now.

“Mommy, what’s that?” Alyssa’s voice pulls me back to the room. She’s pointing to a small play table near the corner, its surface covered with puzzles and toys.

I help Leo down from his bed and lead them both over. “Why don’t we find out?”

The next hour passes in a blur of squeals and laughter. Alyssa discovers a tea set, and before long, we’re all seated at the tiny table, pretending to sip imaginary tea while Leo insists his bear join the party.

I find myself smiling despite everything. For now, they’re happy. For now, this feels normal.

Still, the weight of Serge’s involvement lingers. As much as I hate to admit it, he’s thought of everything. This room, this space—it’s not something he could have thrown together last minute. It’s too detailed, too perfect for them.

I hate him for it. I also can’t ignore what it says about him.

He cares about them.

The thought twists uncomfortably in my chest. I don’t want to see him as anything other than the man who ripped us away from our lives. Yet here he is, showing more effort in a day than their father has in years.

“Mommy, are we staying here forever?” Alyssa asks suddenly, breaking through my thoughts.

I pause, unsure how to answer. “We’ll see,” I say finally, brushing her hair back from her face.

Her brow furrows. “What about our old house? And school, and my friends?”

Leo looks up at me, clutching his bear tighter. “My old toys?”

I kneel down between them, my hands resting on their small shoulders. “I know it’s a lot to get used to, but for now, this is our home. We’ll figure out everything else later, okay?”

Alyssa doesn’t look convinced, but she nods, leaning into my touch. Leo mirrors her, pressing his cheek against my arm.

Their trust is unwavering, and it breaks something in me. How do I protect them from this when I barely know how to protect myself?

A knock at the door startles me, and I glance up to see Roman’s silhouette through the frosted glass.

“Everything okay in there?” he calls, his voice muffled.

I swallow the irritation rising in my throat and force a reply. “We’re fine.”

The shadow lingers a moment longer before moving away, and I release a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.

“Are you okay, Mommy?” Alyssa’s voice is soft, her little hand resting on mine.

I nod, forcing another smile. “Of course, sweetheart. Let’s keep playing.”

As they dive back into their toys, I sit back and watch them. Despite everything, they’re still my bright, beautiful children. They haven’t lost their light. Not yet.

I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure they don’t.

The laughter of the children fills the room, their joy contagious even as I sit off to the side, my hands resting limply in my lap. Alyssa and Leo are engrossed in a tower of blocks they’re building on the play table. Every few minutes, Alyssa pauses to explain the “rules” to Leo, her tone serious in a way that only an almost four-year-old can manage.

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