Page 83 of Innocent Bratva Twins

He is my weakness.

I have to accept that.

The only thing that matters now is my baby.

I walk into the kitchen with my head held high. I will force myself to go numb if that’s what it takes to get through this. I’m ready to argue with him, because I’m sure he will try and talk me out of my decision.

But as I enter, he hangs up a call he was on and smiles at me.

“I’ve arranged a safe house for you. They are going to prepare it this morning. You will have everything you need. And if you need anything else—anything at all—you can call me.” He steps towards me, hesitates, but then does it anyway.

Nico pulls me into his arms and holds me quietly.

I wrap my arms around his waist and lean my cheek against his chest.

“Thank you for understanding,” I whisper.

He sighs and replies. “I’ll do anything for you, Sera.”

We eat breakfast in miserable silence. My heart aches in ways I couldn’t imagine, and Nico keeps watching me with hope—I can see he is waiting for me to change my mind. The guilt of being the one who has to make this choice for our baby is heavy to carry.

At eleven, he drives me to the safe house.

Walking around it, I feel like I’m back in that dream. I’m so far away from the life I used to know. The one I recognize.

He hands me the key and a new phone with a new number that is untraceable.

“My number is already saved on there. So are my brothers and my sisters. You can call any one of us. We’ll be there for you.”

I press my lips together, fighting tears.

“Thanks,” I murmur.

“Maybe, if you don’t mind—just text me tonight to let me know you’re ok.”

“I will.” I nod.

“Every night?”

I nod, smiling.

Nico takes a deep breath and a step backwards.

“I’ll see you around, my angel.” He says as he turns his back and walks towards the door.

My feet are cemented to the floor as my eyes follow him.

He lets himself out, and the door swings closed behind him.

As soon as it clicks, the lock engages, and a sense of loneliness grabs my heart and rips it in two.

I sit down on the floor, exactly where I am, and pull my knees up to my chin. With tight sobbing breathes, I let the fear and pain pour out of me in a river of tears.

I cry until I’m too exhausted to be sad anymore.

My heart is numb, and my head is empty.

Then I walk into the bedroom and collapse onto the bed to sleep.