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Anya is a natural mom. The warmth and love in her eyes when she looks at Kira is divine. The tenderness in the way she pats Kira’s back and lays her down on her crib pulls my heartstrings.
“What?” Anya’s voice draws me back to the present.
I raise my brow. “What do you mean?”
“You’ve been looking at me without blinking for minutes.” Her gaze bounces from one of my eyes to the other. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. It’s just that watching you…being a mother suits you, Anya.” What Kira has is the one thing that Alessa never had. I can tell just by looking at Anya that she would burn the world down for our daughter. I’m grateful for that.
When Anya finishes tidying the small pink vanity where she sat to feed Kira, she heads for the kitchen and I follow her. She tosses the bottle in the sink and turns around.
Her shoulders lift. “Thanks. What now?”
“Anya…” I walk toward her, standing so close that her sweet flowery scent filters into my senses. I try to remind myself that this is a serious moment and I shouldn’t think of anything else, but my attraction to her has just quadrupled.
This woman in front of me carried my child and gave birth to her all on her own. She kept Kira alive while still working to take care of them. She’s way stronger than I imagined.
I take Anya’s hand in mine. “I’m sorry for everything, and thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me, Brandon. She’s my daughter too.”
I squeeze her hand gently. “I know. Still, you did it all on your own. If it’s okay, I’d like to help out from now on. I want to be here for both of you. I want to be a part of Kira’s life, and I don’t want you to do this on your own anymore.”
Her eyes sparkle with tears. “You have no idea how much it means to me hearing you say that. I was afraid you wouldn’t want her.”
I wipe her tears. “Why wouldn’t I? We made her together. She’s perfect in every way.”
“Are you trying to brag about how she got her good looks from you?”
A smile plays on my lips. “She would still be perfect either way.”
I sense her nodding in agreement, but then she abruptly pulls away from me. "Spencer won't be happy about this," she says with a worried look on her face.
I cup her face in my hands and gently stroke her cheeks with my thumbs. "It doesn't matter what he thinks right now. My priority is making things right with you."
I know I'll have to tell my family eventually. It might take some time for Spencer to come around, but I'm prepared to handle it."
Just as I am about to reassure Anya of any concerns she may have, a wave of overwhelming guilt washes over me once again. My breathing becomes labored and sweat starts to form on my chest and forehead. Anya seems to notice my struggle and reaches out to hold my hand, asking me with a worried expression if I am okay. I bite my lip and quickly excuse myself before I risk breaking down in front of her. I remind myself that I have an appointment with my therapist tomorrow and need to focus on recovering for the sake of my children and Anya.
CHAPTER 15
Anya
Ididn’t catch a wink of sleep last few nights.
After Brandon made it clear that Spencer was not his priority, he left without saying anything else. He didn't come back or drop off Alessa. I don't know how to interpret his actions, but it brings me happiness knowing what his priority is.
Not Spencer.
Not the obvious tension building between us.
Just Kira.
For the first time since I gave birth to my daughter, I finally feel so relieved there’ll be someone else to love and care for her as much as I would if anything ever happened to me. Not just one person—she has a whole village behind her back. I know Mrs. Jackson will love her just as much as she loves Alessa.
The doorbell chimes, interrupting my thoughts.
Flying up to my feet, I jog to the front door before my guest can ring the bell a second time.
