Page 155 of Married to My Sis’s Bratva Fiancé

"Today isn't every day."

"You gave her one yesterday," Elena said.

Seamus didn't blink. "That was yesterday."

Inside the box sat a full set of children's paints. Elena picked up a bottle. "This is professional grade. She's three."

"Three still deserves the best."

Tanya wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. The man who'd once measured his daughters by value softened in a heartbeat.

After we lost Isabella, he hadn't turned into a new man overnight. The first time he came to see Tanya, he'd only stood at the door for ten minutes. The second time he'd brought a silver rattle so expensive it was stupid. Later, he started remembering her favorite colors, the sounds that scared her. He learned to squat down and actually listen until a child finished speaking.

Nothing could pay back the childhood Elena lost. I wasn't forgiving him for her. She didn't need forgiveness to buy peace. She just let Tanya receive a late kind of love in a place with no old debt attached.

"Grandpa, paint with me," Tanya ordered.

Seamus set her down immediately and took the brush. "Paint what?"

"You."

"Why am I green?"

"'Cause your tie looks ugly today."

Elena laughed and leaned into me. I tightened my arm around her. Seamus looked down at his sleeve, now smeared green, and he actually laughed too.

No gunfire. No deals. No one demanding the women in my life become whatever the family needed.

This was where I'd chosen to come back to.

After class, Tanya fell asleep in the car, one hand still clutching the paint set. Elena rested on my shoulder, fingers laced with mine.

"Are you happy now?" she asked out of nowhere.

"What kind of question is that?"

"Answer."

Time hadn't stolen the light from her eyes. She wasn't the bride at that first wedding who couldn't lift her chin. She wasn't the girl in the rain hunting for her art supplies, convinced she didn't deserve love.

She had her own name, her own work, her own choices.

And she still chose to sit beside me.

"I am happy," I said.

"That's it?"

My hand slid onto her knee. Her leg tensed instantly, her breathing tripping.

"I can get more specific at home."

"The driver can hear you."

The divider in the front rose without a sound.

Her face reddened, but her fingers hooked my tie.