Page 79 of Innocent Bratva Twins

It’s eight o'clock, and I settle down on the sofa to watch a movie after dinner. To my surprise, she sits close to me. I dare not move too much, in case I take this small gesture the wrongway. But as the night goes on, she shifts up against me, and in quiet comfort, she snuggles into my hoodie.

I wrap my arm around her shoulder and hold her.

Nothing more.

Nothing less.

But I’m smiling and my heart is swelling with hope.

When we discuss the baby and I make promises, I can still see her apprehension; she needs time to trust me again, and I have to keep proving to her that I deserve that second chance.

One night, after our usual evening movie, she stands up, yawning and stretching her arms above her head, and says, “I’m going to sleep so well tonight. I’m exhausted.”

“I’ll make you a tea and bring it to you. Go get comfy.”

While I’m in the kitchen, she heads up to the bedroom.

With hot tea in my hand, I walk in and find her bed empty. Her room is dark, and she’s not there.

“Sera?” I call out, my stomach twisting. I just heard her up here. Where could she be?

“In here,” her voice calls out, and I follow it through to find her in my bed, snuggled beneath the blankets.

I don’t dare say a word. Again, my heart is flooded with happiness.

“Here you go,” I smile, setting her tea next to her on the bedside table.

“Thanks. Um. You don’t mind, do you?” she asks, raising her brows in question.

“Not in the least,” I answer, trying not to sound as though I’m over the moon with excitement.

I must be winning her trust back. I must be making progress if she wants to be near me again.

Now all I have to do is not mess it up.

Even with her this close to me, I have to stay patient.

When I switch my bedside light off and set my book down with the pages open, facing down on the table, she sighs softly and shifts a little closer.

I roll onto my side and wrap my arm around her waist, pulling her back against my chest. “Are you warm enough?” I whisper.

“Mm,” she answers sleepily.

“Sleep well, my angel. I hope you have the sweetest dreams.”

Chapter 22 - Serafina

In the darkness of my dream, I walk along the edge of the ocean. Warm water splashes my feet as the waves roll quietly over the sand. There should be a gentle, soothing sound. The sound of water. The sound of the wind. Anything? But I can’t hear a thing. I press my fingers against my ears and shake my head, scrunching my nose in confusing. The silence is heavy. It’s pressing into me like led. As I take my next step, my foot begins to sink.

I gasp. My own panic is ringing in my ears. Tugging, trying to lift my leg and it sinks deeper. Looking down at the ground, I can’t see it—because my belly is so swollen its blocking my view. A moment ago, it wasn’t even a bump and now it’s growing like a balloon.

But I can feel the sand sucking me into the cold depth of the earth.

I scream and fall backwards as I fight against it.

Pressing my hands into the ground, I try to push away from it—but now my hands are sinking too.

The sad rises around me, the ocean still silent and ignoring my pleas for help. No matter how loud I shout, the vast salty blue water is ignorant of my desperation. The sand is up around my waist, swallowing my belly and the baby growing inside me.

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