Page 28 of Taming a Ruthless Heart

The sound of Rose’s cries breaks the spell.I glance at Alexia, her face shifting from vulnerability to a fierce, maternal urgency.“I have to go to her,” she says, her voice taut with worry, her eyes darting to the door.

“Of course.”I’m already moving, following her out of the room.

My thoughts are reeling from everything I’ve learned, the broken pieces of Alexia’s past.The rage simmering in my veins doesn’t dissipate, but I push it down and shift my focus to the immediate need to see what’s wrong with Rose.

We stride down the long hallway, the clack of Alexia’s flip-flops echoing off the wood-covered walls.

When we near the corner, I hear Nadya’s voice, low and soothing, trying to calm the girl.”Your mama hasn’t left, honey.She’s just in a meeting with Mr.Dave.”

As we reach the living room, the scene before me softens some of the harsh edges inside my mind.Afternoon sunshine streams through the large windows, warming the room and inviting me in.Cream-colored sofas and a rug add a touch of warmth to the hardwood floor.A subdued fireplace sits in one corner, and an oversized coffee table is spread with little teacups and a plastic teapot, remnants of an interrupted tea party.

Nadya is crouched next to Rose, her arm around the little girl’s shoulders, murmuring soft words of comfort.Rose’s face is crumpled with worry, tears streaking down her cheeks as she scans the room, looking for Alexia.

“Mama!”she cries, breaking free of Nadya’s grasp and running toward Alexia, who kneels down and scoops her up in one smooth motion, pulling her close.

“Shh, Mama’s here,” Alexia whispers, her fingers stroking Rose’s golden curls.“I’m not going anywhere.”

The tension in Rose’s small frame melts as Alexia holds her, and for a moment, I just stand there, watching them, caught in the sudden quiet intimacy of their embrace.I’ve seen Alexia in so many different lights—defiant, broken, fierce—but this?This softness, this unconditional love, it’s a side of her I’ve only seen once.It pulls at me again in a way I wasn’t expecting, like it did the moment we arrived here.Just like it happened the moment we arrived here, it pulls at me again in a way I wasn’t expecting.

Alexia cups Rose’s face, her voice soothing.“What’s got you so upset, bunny?”

Her small hands grip her mother’s shoulders.“I thought you left.You didn’t come for the tea party, and I—I thought you left.”

“Oh, sweetheart,” Alexia whispers, kissing Rose’s forehead.“I would never leave without telling you.I promise.”She glances over her shoulder at me, her eyes searching.I can see the silent question there, her request for understanding.

“We can continue later,” I say, nodding toward the small table.“Looks like we’ve got a tea party to attend.If Miss Rose doesn’t mind an extra guest, that is.”

The little girl’s face lights up, the worry vanishing as she turns to look at me, her expression shifting from apprehension to delight in a heartbeat.“Wanna come to my tea party?”

11

Dave

Inod, trying to ignore the strange warmth that spreads in my chest at her excitement.“I’d be honored.”

She wriggles out of Alexia’s arms, dashing toward the coffee table, her little hands moving the cups and plates into position.Alexia rises, and we exchange a look—a brief moment of shared understanding—before we follow Rose to the table, seating ourselves on the floor beside her.

“Where’s Pete?”Alexia turns to Nadya.“He’s missing the party.”

“He and Rose quarreled over the table setting, and he stormed out.That triggered Rose.Apologies for Pete’s behavior.”Nadya’s cheeks flush bright red.

Alexia shakes her head.“No need.Kids fight.They’ll be fine in a minute.Go to him.He’s probably upset.”

“Thank you,” Nadya stands to her feet and dashes out of the room.

Rose pours us each a cup of imaginary tea, her small hands surprisingly steady as she takes her role as hostess seriously.“Mama likes her tea with honey,” she explains, sliding an empty cup toward Alexia.Then she looks at me, her brow furrowing in concentration.“How do you like your tea, Mr.Dave?”

“Strong,” I reply, playing along.

She beams, handing me a cup, and I hold it up as if I’m about to take a sip, fighting the smile that tugs at my lips.

Alexia chuckles softly, and I glance at her, catching a glimpse of the woman I once knew—the one who would laugh at my bad jokes, who would look at me like I was the only person in the world that mattered.For a second, it’s as if the years between us never happened, as if we’re back in those early days when everything was simple, when there were no scars, no secrets, no threats hanging over our heads.

But then Rose speaks up, pulling me back into the present.“Mama, you have to try the cake.It’s special.”

Alexia makes a show of taking a bite of the invisible cake, her eyes widening in mock surprise.“Oh, this is delicious!Did you make it yourself?”

Rose nods proudly, her eyes sparkling.“I did!With Nadya’s help.It’s Red Velvet cake.”

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