Page 70 of Secret Bratva Twins

By the time the nurses return to check on him, Leo is asleep, his small body relaxed against the pillows. Alyssa stifles a yawn, leaning into Chiara’s side, and I lift her gently into my arms.

“Let’s let him rest,” I say, nodding toward the door.

Chiara hesitates, glancing back at Leo one last time before standing. I keep an arm around her as we leave the room, the other hand holding Alyssa, the warmth of their presence grounding me in a way I didn’t expect.

As we walk down the hall, Alyssa nestled against my chest, I glance at Chiara. Her gaze is forward, her expression thoughtful but calm.

“You handled that well,” I say softly.

She looks at me, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “I think you’re giving me too much credit.”

“I’m not,” I reply firmly, my hand brushing hers as we walk. “You’re stronger than you realize, Chiara.”

Her smile lingers, and for the first time tonight, I feel like everything will be alright.

***

The house is quiet again, the chaos of the hospital visit replaced by a deep stillness. Alyssa is asleep in her bed, her stuffed rabbit clutched tightly in her arms, and Leo hasn’t stirred since we brought him back from the hospital. The night is peaceful, but my mind isn’t.

I head downstairs, the faint hum of the refrigerator and the occasional creak of the old floorboards the only sounds accompanying me. When I enter the kitchen, I find Chiaraalready there, leaning against the counter with a cup of tea in her hands. Her hair is loose, tumbling over her shoulders, and her expression is thoughtful, tinged with exhaustion.

She looks up when I enter, her eyes meeting mine. “Couldn’t sleep?” she asks softly.

I shake my head, moving to the counter to pour myself a glass of water. “Not after everything tonight.”

She nods, her fingers tightening around the cup. “It’s hard to stop thinking about them, isn’t it? Even when they’re fine.”

I lean against the counter across from her, studying her. There’s something in her tone, a depth of emotion that feels heavier than usual. “The kids are tougher than they look,” I say, trying to reassure her. “Leo will bounce back. Alyssa… well, she’s already planning what color she wants for her cast when she breaks her arm next.”

Chiara lets out a soft laugh, though it quickly fades, her gaze dropping to her tea. “They’re doing so much better now,” she murmurs. “Since we’ve been here. Since you’ve been with them.”

I pause, surprised by her words. “They’ve always been strong.”

“Yes,” she agrees, looking up at me. “They’re happier now. They laugh more. They smile more. It’s because of you, Serge.”

Her voice wavers slightly, and I step closer, unsure how to respond. “I’m their father,” I say simply. “That’s what I’m supposed to do.”

“It’s more than that,” she insists, setting her cup down and wrapping her arms around herself. “I was so scared of letting them get close to you. Scared of letting you get close tome. Seeing them with you… I can’t deny how much better their lives are now. How much betterourlives are.”

Her words hang in the air, and I cross the space between us, standing just in front of her. “Why were you so scared, Chiara?” I ask, my voice low.

She hesitates, her lips parting as if to speak, but she shakes her head instead. I gently place my hand on her arm, urging her to look at me.

“Tell me,” I say softly. “Whatever it is, just tell me.”

Her eyes glisten as she meets my gaze, and she exhales shakily. “Because I tried to kill you,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper.

I freeze, the words hitting me like a blow. “What?” I ask, though I already know what she’s referring to.

“Four years ago,” she continues, her voice trembling. “The poison. It wasn’t just about my father or his plans. It was me, Serge. I made the choice to follow through.”

I take a step back, my hand falling away from her arm. “Why?” I ask, my tone sharper now, though the hurt beneath it surprises even me. “Why would you do that?”

“Because you were getting too close,” she says, tears slipping down her cheeks. “You made me feel things I didn’t want to feel. You made me think that maybe… maybe I could have something with you, and it terrified me.”

I stare at her, her words sinking in. “So you tried to kill me because you felt something for me,” I say flatly, the bitterness in my voice undeniable.

She nods, wiping her cheeks roughly. “I thought I could escape it. Escape you. Even when I left, I couldn’t stop thinking about you. Now… being here, seeing you with the twins, seeing how much you care for them… for me….”

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