Page 142

I have Papa’s blessings.
Chapter Twenty
chiara
Sometimes, I find myself wondering how this can possibly be my life.
How did things change so quickly?
The air outside smells like home, and it’s crazy to even think that once upon a time, I never thought that I would ever see it again.
Now back at Papa’s home in England, we all take a seat at the dining table.
The room feels too big, too formal, like I’m now a guest in my own world.
Nikolai sits to my right, and Mikhail sits to my left.
Though their warmth bleeds into my sides, I feel the weight of my family across the table.
Papa.
Dario.
They’ve all been civil with one another so far, but now that we’re all in London, in the place that Papa has made his home…
I glance over at him sitting at the head of the table, and I smile softly at him.
His gaze is steady as he looks at me, concern hidden beneath his stern expression, even after all this time.
And Dario…my crazy, overprotective big brother…
His jaw is clenched so tight I wonder if it’ll crack, and his glare cuts straight through me.
It’s not hatred in his eyes—no.
It’s pain.
I can’t blame him for feeling this way.
Not really.
My heart pounds in my chest, my throat becoming tight.
“I like being with them.” I begin saying, my voice shaky. “This is my choice too, Dario.”
He scoffs, looking away.
“Some choice you’ve made.”
He mutters under his breath.
I swallow hard, looking back to Papa, hoping he’ll say something, when Isaak speaks instead.
“Family is family, Dario.”
His Russian accent seems more prominent now, thick as it curls around each word.
Somehow, it’s just as calming as it is terrifying.