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Isabella laughs. “It’s always covered up. I’ll have it uncovered for you. The twins would have fun in it too.”
A day spent lounging by the water sounds heavenly, especially after last night’s passionate encounter with Nikhil and Cassius. My body could use some relaxation.
“That’ll be nice.”
“Oh, and here…” Isabella gets closer to me before grabbing ahold of my hand and putting something in it. She releases my hand, and I frown at the little pill inside.
“What is this?”
“Do you want another baby?”
My lips separate as I realize I’d completely forgotten about protection, so enthralled by them.
It’s plan B.
“I figured you hadn’t considered it.”
“Thank you.”
“Take it quick,” she advises. “It loses effectiveness after twelve hours.”
26
ANNALISE
“Annalise,” Isabella calls out, holding up two swimsuits, one in each hand. “I think you’ll look fabulous in either of these.” She smirks and waves the skimpy options at me.
I roll my eyes playfully as I approach her. “Isabella, are you serious? These barely cover anything!”
“Come on, live a little!” she teases, tossing one of the swimsuits my way. “Besides, it’s just us here.”
“Fine,” I sigh, catching the suit midair. “But only because you insist.”
“Yay!” Franny and Gina exclaim in unison, their tiny voices echoing through the backyard. The twins bounce on their tiptoes, hands flying to the array of swimsuits laid out before them. “Mommy, we want this one!” They hold up identical pink swimsuits with ruffled skirts, their eyes wide with excitement.
“Of course, my loves,” I say, unable to resist their contagious joy. I watch as they scurry off to change, giggling all the way. Their delight is infectious, and despite the situation I find myself in, I can’t help but feel grateful for these moments of happiness.
Realization dawns on me. “I don’t have any money. We can’t buy any of these.”
Isabella laughs right in my face. “It’s not the women’s job to make money when you’re a Volkov. It’s just our job to spend it.”
I’ve never been dependent on anyone else, but there’s something nice about it.
My girls can have whatever they want.
As I stand by the pool, clad in a sweatshirt, I feel ridiculous. But, Isabella didn’t exactly let me get anything appropriate. Thankfully, there’s nobody else out here watching me.
“Mommy, we’re ready!” Franny and Gina call out, snapping me back to reality. They race toward the pool, their excitement palpable in the air.
“Alright, darlings,” I say, catching up to them. “Go have some fun.”
Franny and Gina splash around, their laughter like a chorus of songbirds. I recline on a lounge chair, my book resting on my thighs, but I can’t seem to focus on the words in front of me. Instead, my thoughts drift toward the complexities of my new life.
“Marco!” Franny calls out, her arms flailing through the water.
“Polo!” replies Gina, giggling and trying to evade her sister’s touch.
I smile at their innocent joy, the warmth of motherly love swelling within me. It’s moments like these that remind me how fiercely I will fight to protect them, no matter what challenges arise.
