Page 64 of The Mafia's Septuplets

The request sounds sincere, but it comes after days of similar conversations where my needs get postponed or minimizedwhen business demands intervene. “I need to feel like your partner rather than someone you’re protecting from a distance. I need conversations about our relationship to feel as important as meetings about restaurant chains and territorial disputes.”

“They are important. You and the babies are the most important things in my life.” His words carry conviction that would be reassuring if they were supported by tangible.

“Then why do I feel like I’m competing with everything else for your attention lately? Why do discussions about my fears get interrupted by phone calls and postponed until later that never comes?” I sound angry as suppressed frustration finally breaks through the careful restraint I’ve maintained.

His phone buzzes again, and I watch him glance at the screen despite his obvious effort to maintain focus on our conversation. The automatic response confirms everything Alina suggested about misplaced priorities.

“Answer it,” I say quietly, suddenly exhausted by the futile effort to compete with demands that will always feel more urgent than my need for reassurance and connection. I wouldn’t be so concerned if I felt confident he’d have more time and attention once he deals with Mikhail, but I’m not confident about that right now. I’m in a fragile state, and his lack of connection is making it harder for me regardless of his reasons for not being here.

“It can wait.”

“No, it can’t. It never can.” I close the Wellington contract and push it across the desk toward him. “I’ll review the rest of these tomorrow, though my input hardly matters. You clearly have more pressing matters to handle.”

He blinks in surprise at my words and opens his mouth to respond, but his phone buzzes again. “I…I’m sorry, Willa, but I need to take this. We will talk later.”

I nod, giving him a bitter smile, because I know we won’t.

He pauses to touch my shoulder. “I’m doing all of this for us.”

I nod once more. “I know.” I believe him and his intentions are good, but I’m not convinced he can ever fully break free of the bratva even if or when Mikhail is no longer a threat. Can he ever truly put me and the babies first? I wish I were sure he could.