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The Montana sun dips low over the horizon, casting a golden glow across the fields that stretch endlessly beyond the farmhouse. This place, quiet and tucked away from the chaos of the outside world, has been my sanctuary for the past four years. I never imagined my life would turn out like this—raising twins in a rural town, pretending the past never happened, hoping it never finds me.

I step out onto the porch, holding a basket of fresh laundry. The twins are playing in the yard, their laughter filling the air. Leo, with his bright blue eyes and unruly blond hair, is chasing after Alyssa, who inherited my darker features but somehow still carries an undeniable resemblance to Serge. They’re a blend of both of us, each a living reminder of the man I left behind.

I can’t let my mind linger there for long. Serge can’t find us. He can never know about them. The thought makes my chest tighten as I watch Leo trip over a rock, landing on the grass with a surprised yelp. Alyssa is at his side in an instant, helping him up like the little caretaker she is.

“Are you okay, baby?” I call out, setting the basket on the porch.

“I’m fine, Mama!” Leo shouts back, brushing off his overalls.

It amazes me how resilient they are, how full of life. They have no idea what kind of world they were born into or the danger that still lingers. That’s the way I need to keep it.

I head back inside, the farmhouse cozy and warm with its worn wooden floors and mismatched furniture. It’s not the luxurious life I once knew, but it’s ours. It’s safe. I glance at the clock—dinnertime is nearing, and the kids will be hungry after all their running around.

As I prep a simple meal, my mind drifts to the choices that brought me here. I failed to kill Serge, or so Dante says. Staying would have meant exposing my children to his world—a world of danger, violence, and power struggles. I couldn’t do that to them, no matter how much it hurt to walk away.

The twins come barreling into the kitchen, dirt on their hands and grass stains on their clothes. “Wash up!” I scold gently, pointing them toward the sink.

They scramble to obey, their giggles echoing through the house. As I watch them, I can’t help but feel a pang of fear. What would Serge do if he found us? Would he try to take them from me? Would he use them against me? The thought is unbearable.

***

Later that evening, after the twins are tucked into bed, I sit by the window with a cup of tea, staring out at the moonlit fields. The night is quiet, but my mind isn’t. Every shadow feels like a threat, every distant sound like a warning.

I’ve done everything to cover my tracks, to make sure Serge could never find me. I left behind every trace of my old life, fled to this town where no one knows me. It’s a far cry from the bustling cities I once knew, but it’s exactly what I need—a place where I can raise my children without fear.

Still, the paranoia lingers. Serge isn’t the kind of man who lets go easily. I know that better than anyone. Even though four years have passed, I can’t shake the feeling that he’s out there, looking for me.

The thought terrifies me, not for my sake, but for Leo and Alyssa. They’re innocent in all of this. They don’t deserve to be caught in the crossfire of a war they never asked to be part of.

I glance at a photo on the mantel—a candid shot of the twins laughing together, their faces lit up with pure joy. They’re my world now, my reason for everything. No matter what happens, I’ll protect them. I’ll keep them safe from Serge and anyone else who threatens to disrupt this fragile peace we’ve built.

As the tea cools in my hands, I let out a shaky breath. Life here is simple, almost monotonous, but I prefer it that way. Monotony means safety. It means no surprises, no threats, no past creeping back to haunt me.

Lorenzo crosses my mind briefly. My half brother always underestimated me, dismissing me as nothing more than a liability. Maybe that’s why I didn’t run to him after I left Serge. Lorenzo would have seen my situation as leverage, a way to strengthen his position. And I couldn’t trust him to protect my children.

Out here, in this quiet corner of Montana, I’ve managed to create a life for us. It’s not perfect, and it’s far from easy, but it’s ours.

***

The shrill ringtone cuts through the morning stillness, and I groggily reach for my phone, careful not to wake the twins. Dante’s name flashes across the screen. As I answer, I hear a small shuffle from down the hall, followed by the unmistakable thudding of tiny feet.

“Dante,” I whisper, propping myself up against the headboard.

“Good morning, Chiara. How are things over there?” His voice is calm, steady—the way it always is when I need it to be.

Before I can respond, the bedroom door bursts open, and two little whirlwinds storm in. “Uncle Dante!” Alyssa squeals, climbing onto the bed as Leo scrambles up beside her.

I chuckle, holding the phone out to put the call on speaker. “You’re popular this morning.”

“Well, buongiorno to my favorite little ones!” Dante’s warm greeting makes both of them giggle. “What mischief are you two causing for your mama?”

“I’m not causing mischief,” Leo declares, puffing out his chest. “I’m a good boy.”

“He’s the one who cheats at hide and seek,” Alyssa retorts, pointing an accusatory finger at her brother.

“I do not!” Leo shouts, and I rub my temple, already feeling the day’s chaos brewing.

“Sounds like your hands are full,” Dante teases.

“Always,” I reply, smoothing Alyssa’s wild curls. “But it keeps things interesting.”

He laughs softly, but his tone shifts as he speaks again. “How are you holding up, Chiara, really?”

The sincerity in his voice sends a pang through me. Dante is the only person who truly knows what I’m dealing with. He’s been my lifeline, my anchor in a world that constantly feels like it’s slipping away.

“I’m fine,” I say, a little too quickly. “Everything’s quiet here.”

He doesn’t push, but I know he’s not convinced. “I’ll check in soon. Be careful, Chiara. Kiss those troublemakers for me.”

“Will do,” I reply, ending the call and placing the phone on the nightstand.

I hang up, and send the kids upstairs to get ready. It’s a slow morning, Leo complaining loudly while Alyssa refuses to bathe.

As I wrangle the twins into their play clothes for the day, the doorbell rings. It’s Hannah, their babysitter, right on time.

“Hey, Ms. Chiara!” she chirps, stepping inside and slipping off her sneakers. Her bright smile and natural warmth instantly fill the room.

“Hi, Hannah,” I greet her, passing over the twins’ favorite snacks. “Thanks for coming. I’ve got a few errands to run, so I’ll be gone for a couple of hours.”

“No problem at all,” she says, crouching down to the twins’ level. “What’s the plan today, you two?”

“Hide and seek!” Leo shouts.

“Again?” Hannah feigns shock. “Alright, but I’m warning you—I’m the best hider in this house.”

The twins erupt into giggles as she leads them toward the living room. I grab my keys and turn back to them. “Be good for Hannah, okay? I’ll be back soon.”

They nod enthusiastically, already distracted by the prospect of their game. As I step outside, a cool breeze greets me, and for a brief moment, I let myself relax.

The drive into town is uneventful, the open road a stark contrast to the buzzing energy back home. My first stop is the small grocery store, where I stock up on essentials. As I push my cart down the aisle, I can’t help but think about how different my life is now. The quiet, the anonymity—it’s what I always wanted, but it comes at a cost.

By the time I load the groceries into the car and head to the hardware store, my mind is already racing through the rest of my to-do list. There’s always something to fix or replace on the farm. Today, it’s the barn door, thanks to Leo’s overzealous slam last week.

The store owner greets me warmly, chatting about the upcoming town fair. Everyone here knows me as Chiara DeLeo, the reserved woman who keeps to herself. They don’t pry, and I don’t offer much. It’s a fragile peace, one I’m desperate to preserve.

When I pull into the driveway, I’m greeted by the sound of laughter. Leo and Alyssa are running around the yard, Hannah close behind, laughing as she tries to catch them.

“How’d it go?” I ask as I step out, juggling grocery bags.

“Great,” Hannah replies, slightly out of breath. “They’ve got way more energy than I expected, but we had fun.”

“Thank you,” I say sincerely, handing her a bag of snacks as a small token of appreciation. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

She waves me off with a smile. “Anytime. They’re good kids, Ms. Chiara. You’re doing great.”

Her words stick with me as I watch her drive away. For all the fear and uncertainty, I’ve built a good life here. The twins are happy, and that’s all that matters.