Page 68 of Secret Bratva Twins

We hurry down the hall, Alyssa clutching me tightly as we make our way to the twins’ room. My heart pounds in my chest, fear clawing at the edges of my thoughts.

When we reach the room, Leo is sitting on the floor, cradling his arm against his chest. His face is red and tear-streaked, and he looks up at us with wide, frightened eyes.

“Leo,” I breathe, dropping to my knees beside him. “Sweetheart, what happened?”

He sniffles, his voice trembling. “I—I wanted to see if I could climb fast like Alyssa, but I slipped.”

Serge crouches beside me, his large hand resting gently on Leo’s shoulder. “Let me see,” he says, his voice calm but firm.

Leo hesitates, his small body trembling as he extends his arm toward Serge. I can see the pain etched across his tear-streaked face, and my chest tightens. Serge’s jaw ticks as he carefully takes Leo’s arm in his large hands, his touch as gentle as I’ve ever seen it.

“Does this hurt?” Serge asks, moving Leo’s arm ever so slightly.

Leo winces and lets out a choked sob, nodding rapidly. “It hurts a lot, Papa,” he whispers, his voice trembling.

My breath catches in my throat as Serge’s expression hardens, a mix of concern and frustration shadowing his features. He glances at me, and the unspoken truth passes between us. It’s not just bruised—it’s broken.

“Chiara,” Serge says, his voice calm but with a steely edge. “We need to get him to the hospital. Now.”

I nod quickly, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Alyssa,” I call out, turning toward her. She’s still standing in the corner, clutching her stuffed rabbit tightly, her face pale.

Her wide eyes dart between us, tears threatening to spill. “Is Leo going to be okay?”

“He’s going to be fine, sweetheart,” I say, keeping my voice as steady as I can manage. “We just need to get your shoes on. Can you do that for me? Quickly?”

She nods, sniffling, and darts off to her side of the room, dropping to her knees to fish her shoes out from under her bed.

I pull my phone from my pocket, my hands shaking slightly as I dial emergency services. The operator picks up quickly, her calm voice a strange contrast to the chaos inside me.

“My son’s arm is broken,” I explain, my words coming out in a rush. “He fell from a bunk bed, and he’s in a lot of pain. We need an ambulance.”

The operator assures me that help is on the way, asking for details about our location and Leo’s condition. I give her the information as best as I can while Serge kneels beside Leo, murmuring quietly to him.

“It’s going to be alright, Leo,” Serge says, his voice low but firm. His hand rests gently on Leo’s uninjured shoulder, grounding him. “You’re a strong boy. We’ll get you taken care of.”

Leo’s sobs quiet slightly, though his little body still trembles with pain. “It hurts so bad,” he whimpers, leaning into Serge’s steady hand.

“I know, son,” Serge says softly. “I know it does, but the doctors will fix it. Just hold on a little longer.”

Alyssa reappears at my side, her shoes haphazardly on her feet, and runs back to my side. “I’m ready, Mama,” she says, clutching my hand tightly.

I crouch down, pulling her into a quick hug. “You did so well, Alyssa,” I whisper, kissing her hair. “Now stay close to me, okay?”

The sound of the ambulance siren in the distance brings a mix of relief and urgency. I exchange a look with Serge, who scoops Leo up carefully, cradling him as though he’s the most fragile thing in the world.

“Let’s go,” Serge says, his voice steady despite the tension radiating from him. Together, we head downstairs to meet the paramedics, the weight of the moment heavy but united in our focus on Leo.

Chapter Twenty-Five - Serge

The harsh fluorescent lights of the hospital corridor sting my eyes as I pace outside the exam room. The sharp smell of antiseptic hangs in the air, mingling with the distant murmur of voices and the occasional chime of a nurse’s station. In my arms, Alyssa clings to me tightly, her small fingers gripping my shirt as though I might disappear if she lets go.

Leo is inside with the doctor, Chiara by his side, and the minutes feel like hours. Alyssa hasn’t spoken since we arrived, her wide eyes glistening with unshed tears.

“It’s going to be alright,” I murmur to her, my voice low and steady. I press a kiss to the top of her head, trying to reassure her as much as myself.

“Leo’s brave, isn’t he, Papa?” she asks softly, her voice trembling.

“He’s the bravest,” I reply, brushing her hair back gently.

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