Page 20

Rosie

Anya is a tiny ball of pure energy, bouncing on her toes beside me at the baggage claim carousel, her pink backpack bouncing with her.

Her dark curls fly around her face as she keeps twisting to look at every person.

“Mommy, is Aunty Mab here yet? Can we see her soon? I’m so excited!”

I can’t help smiling even though my stomach is knotted tight. Since I told her we were coming to New York, she’s been over the moon, asking a hundred questions.

“Stay close, baby,” I say, grabbing our two suitcases as they finally appear. I roll them with one hand and reach for her with the other, lacing our fingers together before she can bounce too far away. “Don’t let go, okay?”

“Yes, Mommy,” she sings, but she’s already trying to skip ahead, pulling at my arm.

This is the first time I’ve been back in New York in four years. Four years since I ran.

The fear still lives in my chest like a second heartbeat. Every time I think about Andrei the Bratva Devil, the man whose bed I left in the middle of the night, I feel it squeeze.

These past four years haven’t been easy. No one talks enough about how brutal it is to be a single mom and the only provider.

There were nights I cried in the shower after Anya fell asleep because I was drowning, work, bills, doctor visits, all of it on my shoulders.

Some months I ate instant noodles for dinner so she could have proper meals. I’ve been exhausted in ways I didn’t know a person could be. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Anya is the brightest light in my gray world. She gives me purpose. She makes every hard day worth it. I know people say you shouldn’t make your child your entire reason for living, but she’s my reason.

And I will do whatever it takes to keep her safe.

Left to me, we would never have come back to this city. But Mabel is getting married, and there’s no way I’m missing my best friend’s wedding.

She’s been my rock since the beginning. When I told her the real reason I was taking the transfer to New Jersey, she just held me while I cried and promised she’d be there for us.

She visits every chance she gets.

As we head toward the exit, I remember what Mabel told me the last time we talked about the possibility of running into Andrei.

“You’re worried for nothing, Rosie. A man like that? He probably doesn’t even remember you. He’s got women throwing themselves at him every single night. Even if you do bump into each other, he won’t remember hooking up with you… let alone realize Anya is his.”

I see the logic in her words. There’s no way Andrei would remember one random woman from four years ago.

We finally make our way through the crowd to the waiting area where family and friends stand. The moment Anya spots Mabel, her whole face lights up.

“Aunty Mab!” she squeals, breaking into a full sprint before I can stop her.

Mabel drops down into a crouch, arms wide open, and scoops my daughter up in one smooth motion. She peppers Anya’s chubby cheeks with loud kisses while the little girl dissolves into giggles, kicking her legs happily.

“Oh my goodness, I missed you so much, my favorite girl!” Mabel says, squeezing her tight.

“I missed you too!” Anya replies, then her eyes lock onto the big pink teddy bear in Mabel’s other hand.

Mabel grins and holds it out. “This is for you, sweetheart.”

Anya gasps, hugging the soft bear to her chest immediately. “Thank you!”

I clear my throat, smiling. “Hello… I’m here too, you know.”

Mabel laughs and gently sets Anya back on her feet. She straightens and throws her arms around me, pulling me into a warm, tight hug.

“Welcome back, Rosie,” she murmurs against my hair. “I’m so happy you could make it.”