Page 35 of Secret Bratva Baby
Rose is still smiling at my brother.
Yilian waves his hand around, trying to remember something. “It was that place off West Street. I was with him when he got it. There’s a toy shop there.”
“Let’s stop there tomorrow,” Ark says.
“Can do,” Yilian nods.
“You guys don’t have to do that for her,” Rose says sweetly.
“No, it would be our pleasure,” Yilian replies.
They carry on chatting about Lily, and eventually the conversation flows to other things. My brothers are laughing with Rose, getting her beautiful side. The side I used to know. And seeing her relaxed and enjoying herself now—it makes me ache for her to share that side of herself with me, as well.
I miss her so much.
I miss having her in my life, in my arms, at my side.
I should never have given her up.
I sit quietly, watching them, enjoying the banter and struggling with my own thoughts.
After two hours, Yilian stands and stretches. “We should go. I think this little princess needs to get to sleep.” He brushes his hand over Lily’s cheek, and she pretends that she is trying to bite him, then giggles loudly.
“It is her bedtime,” Rose smiles, standing up too.
Ark turns to Lily. “Ok, kid. Do you remember my name?” he asks. “When someone asks you who your favorite uncle is, what are you going to say?”
Lily scrunches her nose.
“Art.”
“Close enough,” Ark says triumphantly.
He scoops Lily into his arms and spins her.
“Come on, Ark, don’t work her up, she’s got to go to bed now,” Yilian complains.
“Fine, fine. I’m just saying goodbye.”
Rose and Lily walk with me to the door to say goodbye to my brothers.
“They were really sweet to her,” Rose says as I close the front door.
“Do you want some tea? I was going to make coffee now.”
She’s tense again, back to her guarded stance now that my brothers are gone and she’s alone with me.
“Um. No, thank you. It’s better if I get her to bed now. She’s so out of routine, I don’t want to make things more complicated…” her voice trails off.
“I can bring the tea to you,” I say, just wanting a few more minutes with Rose. I’m still hoping she will talk to me, that she will forgive me.
“Good night, Luka,” she says softly, then turns away and walks towards the stairs with Lily in her arms.
Over her shoulder, Lily waves at me, and I wave back until they’re out of sight.
Dammit.
How can I fix this?
