Page 85 of Taming a Ruthless Heart

I settle onto one of the cushioned lounge chairs, my hand instinctively resting on my belly, where a slight curve has started to show.It’s a surreal feeling, knowing that another life is growing inside me.After the pain, the fear, the uncertainty, this feels like the universe is offering me a fresh start.

In the pool, Rose’s laughter echoes off the tiled walls, filling the space with a joy that’s contagious.She’s splashing around with her new best friend, a scruffy rescue puppy that looks so much like her stuffed dog I had to do a double take when Dave brought him home.Rose insisted on naming him “Doggy,” just like her toy, and now the two of them are inseparable.The puppy splashes awkwardly in the shallow end, his fur slick and soaked, while Rose holds him up, her tiny hands gentle but firm as she guides him through the water.

“Come on, Doggy!You can do it!”she cheers, her face lit with pure delight.She glances back at me, her big green eyes sparkling with pride.“Look, Mama!Doggy’s swimming!”

I smile, and a rush of warmth spreads through my chest.“He’s doing great, moy zaychik.”

Dave pops in, carrying a couple of towels draped over his shoulder.His eyes find mine, and he smiles, a grin that crinkles the corners of his eyes, giving him a boyish look.He walks over, his gaze dipping to my belly.Without a word, he kneels beside me, his large hand splaying across my growing bump.His fingers are warm, and a thrill runs through me as he leans in, pressing a tender kiss just below my navel.

“There’s my boy,” he says, his voice a low rumble filled with pride and wonder.He lifts his head, meeting my gaze, his eyes soft and unguarded.“Or maybe my girl,” he adds, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

I laugh, my hand covering his.“You’d love either one just the same,” I say, a statement, not a question.I know this man, every line of his face, every shade of emotion in his eyes.He would move mountains for his family.

He chuckles, brushing a stray strand of hair from my face.“Damn right I would.”He glances over at the pool and winks at me.Before I can ask him what he’s planning, he jumps to his feet and dives into the pool.

Rose half laughs, half squeals as Dave scoops her up out of the water.He spins her around, her wet curls flying, and she clutches his neck, giggling uncontrollably.

“Daddy!”she shrieks, her tiny arms wrapped around his shoulders.“You scared Doggy!”

Dave looks down at the scruffy little puppy, who’s now paddling toward the edge of the pool with a determined look in his eyes, clearly relieved to be done with his swim.Dave chuckles, setting Rose on the pool deck and ruffling her hair.“Doggy will forgive me.He’s tough, just like you, right, princess?”

Rose nods solemnly.

“Princess,” he says softly, “have you talked to your little brother today?”

Her face lights up and she wiggles free of his grasp and races over to me, her wet little feet leaving damp prints on the tiles.She kneels beside me, placing her small hands on my belly, her face inches from the curve that holds her sibling.

“Hey, me again!”she says in a loud, dramatic whisper, as if she’s sharing a great secret with the baby.“Please come out and play with me soon, okay?”

Dave kneels down beside us, his arm around Rose’s shoulders as he watches her with a look of such tenderness it almost breaks my heart.

Rose looks up at him, her brows knitting together thoughtfully.“But what if she’s a sister, not a brother?”

The innocence of her question makes me smile, and I cup her cheeks, leaning in to kiss the tip of her nose.“That would be amazing too,” I agree, my heart swelling with a love so fierce, so all-encompassing.

Dave chuckles, and before I know it, he’s scooping Rose up again, blowing raspberries on her belly until she’s shrieking with laughter, her little hands smacking his shoulders.

“What if it’s twins?”he teases, grinning up at me.

Rose gasps.“Can I have a brother and a sister?”she asks, her voice filled with genuine wonder, her eyes as round as saucers.

I laugh, reaching out to brush a curl from her cheek.“Mama and Daddy will try very hard to give you both.I promise,” I say, winking at Dave.

He wraps an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close, his lips brushing against my ear as he whispers, “Maybe we should aim for three of each.Just to be sure.”

I elbow him playfully, but the thought sends a thrill through me.It’s crazy, wonderful, and exactly the kind of life I never thought I’d have.A life where dreams don’t come true just for other people, where happiness is within my reach.

As I watch Rose run off to retrieve Doggy, I’m thankful for every moment that brought us here.The terror, the darkness, the heartbreak—they all led us to this.To a life where I’m not just surviving but thriving.I think of the empire my grandfather left me, the business I now run alongside Olivia.It’s ours, a legacy that once felt tainted but now has been transformed into something good.Olivia and I are making sure our business is legit and empowers other women.At the same time, Dave and I are building a life out of the ashes, one filled with purpose, love, and a future that feels boundless.

His arm tightens around me, pulling me close as he kisses my forehead.“I never thought I’d be this lucky,” he grunts.

I lean into him.“Me neither,” I breathe, closing my eyes, letting myself sink into the warmth, the safety of his embrace.

We watch as Rose chases Doggy around the edge of the pool, her laughter echoing off the walls.The sunlight pours through the glass ceiling, bathing everything.And in that light, I see our future, bright and beautiful, a promise of all the good things to come.

At last, I feel truly at peace.

Dave

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