Page 12 of Secret Bratva Baby
He was ten years older than me, experienced in life, and I didn’t want to be manipulated. I tried to keep my distance, but I was lying to myself, because I was so fascinated by him—and even more fascinated by the fact that he wantedme. Of all the girls in the world, he could’ve had anyone. Every single girl I knew was obsessed with him. But he chose me.
And day after day, he pursued me. He went out of his way to see me. He brought me flowers, beautiful gifts, took me to places I had never been, and slowly, his persistence paid off—and I fell in love.
It was beautiful.
The most beautiful six months of my life.
I thought I was the luckiest girl in the universe. I had his full attention; he smothered me in adoration and every moment of every day. All I wanted was to be in his arms.
I thought he felt the same about me.
Until the day he decided he was bored with me. Everything changed. I was so shocked, I didn’t know how the real Luka was.
Was it the man I’d known for the past six months, or was it this heartless monster standing in front of me, telling me to leave and never come back?
He broke my heart. He shattered it.
And then he ghosted me so well that no matter what I did, I wasn’t able to find him again to tell him about his daughter.
And so, I became a single mother, raising her on my own without a stitch of help from him.
Anger bubbles inside me as I stare at him.
It’s crazy because I can tell from his reaction that he has no idea Lily is his daughter. He never tried to look me up. He never tried to reach out.
He has no idea he’s a father. He has no idea what he forced me to go through alone these past few years.
I wouldn’t change having my little girl—not for the world. I love her more than life itself. But if I had a little help, her life would be better. My life would be better. I could spend more time with her, and I wouldn’t have to ask the neighbors to help raise her.
This man abandoned me; he doesn’t deserve even a second of my adoration.
“Let me go,” I snap, fueled by the resentment building inside me.
“We’ve been over this, Rose. I am not letting you go,” he sighs, turning to face me, his drink filled.
“You have to let me go,” I shout, louder than I intend to.
“No, actually, I don’t,” he snarls, his dark eyes full of warning as he glares at me.
I can’t believe I thought he was the one.
I thought he was the love of my life. The only man I’deverlove. I was so naive. So stupid and young.
“Luka, I’ll scream so loud every neighbor in the vicinity will hear,” I warn him.
He chuckles, dry and disinterested. “Go ahead. These walls are soundproof, squirrel.”
“Don’t call me that,” I blurt out, my heart flip-flopping in my chest.
“You used to love it when I called you that,” he says, amused by my discomfort.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” I say, my throat becoming tight as tears burn my eyes. I see a flicker of something in his face—concern? Is heconcernedthat he’s making me cry? What an asshole. How about being concerned that he’s holding me prisoner and won’t let me or my daughter leave?
Lily blinks, lifting her head, roused by the increasing volume of our argument.
I quickly reach up and touch her cheek. “I’m sorry, cupcake. I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“She looks just like you,” Luka says, staring at her, his face softening.
