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“Wow, sweetheart, that’s absolutely beautiful,” I praise, my fingertips grazing the delicate brushstrokes. Franny beams up at me, her chest puffing out with pride.
“Look at mine too, Mommy!” Gina urges, directing my attention to a brightly colored bracelet made of intricate knots and beads. The craftsmanship is stunning, and I can only imagine the patience and skill it took to create such a piece.
“Your bracelet is gorgeous, Gina. You both have done such an incredible job,” I gush. My eyes flick between the two of them, and I feel a surge of pride welling up inside me. Their faces light up with pure joy, their accomplishments acknowledged and celebrated.
“Thank you, Mommy!” they chorus, their voices ringing out in the room like a sweet symphony, filling my heart with a warmth I haven’t felt since we were last together.
“Mommy, can we watch a movie?” Gina asks, tugging on my sleeve as Franny nods enthusiastically in agreement. Their eyes widen with anticipation, and I can’t help but smile at their excitement.
I look at Isabella, wondering if I’ll have the time. The brothers still don’t have a clue that I’m here, but she doesn’t look worried in the slightest and waves for me to continue.
“Of course, sweethearts,” I reply, glancing back at Isabella for assistance. Isabella moves toward an exquisite entertainment center that houses an impressive flat-screen television. As she selects a family-friendly film from the vast collection, I take a moment to observe the room we are in.
The space is lavish, adorned with opulent furnishings and rich fabrics, yet it maintains a sense of warmth and comfort. A plush rug lies beneath our feet, softening the sound of footsteps as we move around the room. The walls are embellished with intricate moldings and gilded frames showcasing beautiful artwork, creating an almost regal atmosphere.
“Marguerite, how about you go and grab us some snacks?” Isabella suggests to the maid. This is the fourth or fifth maid I’ve seen since I’ve been here. Just how many do they have?
“What kind of snacks would you like?”
“Popcorn!” Franny exclaims at the same time that Gina says, “Gummy bears.”
Marguerite gets the hint and leaves to get what they asked for. This is a life I never would have been able to offer my girls, and as dangerous as it is—there are certainly luxuries that come along with being Volkov princesses.
I watch as the movie begins to play, capturing the attention of my daughters who return to their crafts, their small hands working diligently while their eyes flit between their projects and the screen. The sight of Franny and Gina so content in this luxurious setting fills me with a mixture of awe and relief. After a week of worry and separation, seeing them happy and safe is all I could ever ask for.
I hadn’t expected that the brothers would provide for them so well.
Isabella’s delicate fingers brush against the soft fabric of Gina’s dress as she sits down beside my daughter. Her eyes sparkle with warmth and sincerity as I begin to speak, my voice barely audible above the enchanting melody of the film’s soundtrack.
“I must confess,” I begin hesitantly, my voice wavering as I admit the truth, “I was scared at first. I didn’t know what to expect when I came to see them.” I laugh as I look around the room. “They’ve never even had a house this nice, let alone such a fancy playroom. They’ve been taken care of.”
Isabella turns her attention to me, concern etched on her face. She reaches out and places a reassuring hand on my arm, her touch gentle yet firm.
“Of course,” Isabella says quickly. “They’re family.”
“I know, but…” I purse my lips, thinking about everything but not saying it out loud. Even though the girls are watching the movie, I don’t want them overhearing anything. After all, despite everything, one of the Volkov brothers is still their father.
“Annalise, I completely understand how you feel, but I promise you, nobody can harm Franny and Gina while they’re under our protection. They are safe here. My brothers would kill anyone who tried to lay a finger on them.”
Her words echo through my mind like a soothing balm, calming the storm of uncertainty within me. I force myself to take a deep breath, allowing the tension in my body to dissipate as I focus on the present moment.
As the movie continues to play, the room fills with the lighthearted laughter of my daughters. I watch my them, their eyes filled with wonder as they become consumed by the story unfolding on screen. And for the first time in weeks, I feel a sense of peace—the kind that comes from knowing that, at least for now, my children are safe and sheltered from the darkness lurking in the shadows.
As if on cue, Nikhil suddenly appears in the doorway, towering and imposing like a storm cloud rolling in. His icy blue eyes sweep over the room, locking onto mine with an intensity that makes me shiver.
“Annalise isn’t supposed to be here,” Nikhil says, his gaze shifting from me to Isabella. There’s a hint of accusation in his tone, and I can feel my heart pounding in my chest.
“She’s not causing any harm, Nikhil,” Isabella replies, her voice steady and confident as she meets her brother’s stare head-on. “She’s their mother, and she has every right to see her daughters.”
Nikhil’s jaw clenches, and I can sense the power struggle between the siblings. My thoughts race, trying to make sense of this sudden tension. It’s clear that Nikhil is protective of Franny and Gina, but why would my presence cause such unrest?
“Isabella’s right,” I say, finding my voice amid the unease. “I just want to be with my children. I won’t cause any trouble.”
“Nikki!” Franny calls with a huge grin on her face. She runs over to him, wrapping her arms around his legs. “You said you were going to bring me a toy. Where is it?” I glance at Gina, who’s fast asleep on the couch, before my gaze returns to Nikhil and Franny.
This isn’t their first time spending time together. How many times has he visited her?
Nikhil lets out a breath, eyes becoming kinder for a moment, as he looks at her. “How about I just take you with me?”
