54

Amira’s POV
As she continued walking, my gaze wandered, and I was struck by how beautiful this place was. It didnt appear to be empty; rather, it appeared to be more of a house than a large mansion. The chandeliers hung above the ceilings, casting light, and the more she spoke, the happier she appeared. Her hands were protectively placed on her stomach, and I felt a small sadness well up inside me as I stared at her swollen belly.
My hands went to my flat stomach, and I wished I could feel the kick again. I was the happiest when I was pregnant with Carl. Those brief moments when he was kicking and moving around my stomach and I was just talking to him, imagining a life with just the two of us. I wished I could feel and talk to my baby all over again.
I yearned for a life free of worries, and in the back of my mind, I imagined what life would be like with just the three of us, without the obstacles we were facing. I desired a life in which Skyler, Carl, and I could be a true family, and I desired nothing more than for Skyler to accept Carl as his own.
Skyler, who was caring, sweet, and loving, would undoubtedly make an excellent father. I can imagine a life where we are just an ordinary couple with no problems; we might argue here and there, but it would be nothing we couldn’t work out. We would watch as our children grew into wonderful and loving adults, but it was all a fantasy for me because I yearned for a normal life.
Nothing was normal about life; it throws these unknown obstacles at you, and you had to be strong enough to overcome them on your own. If you are not, those obstacles may beat you down, leaving you with no choice but to become a living shell. That was me until I met Skyler.
“Sorry if I’m yapping too much,” she chuckled, shaking her head.
My thoughts vanished instantly, and I smiled at her, “It’s okay.”
“By the way, my name is Griselda,” she said, tucking a hair behind her ear.
Damn, even her name was lovely. My grin widened as she extended her hand, which I gladly accepted. I let go of her hand and looked around again, shaking it for a second. The mansion was breathtakingly beautiful, and it was hard to believe Skyler lived there.
“I’m guessing Skyler already told you my name,” Smirking, I cast a glance her way as she laughs.
“He’s been talking about you nonstop; I’m glad he found you.”
Before I could say anything else, another woman emerges from what I assume was the kitchen. A grin forms on her lips as her gaze settles on us, and I wiggled awkwardly as Griselda introduces us. She’s no doubt beautiful, with striking features, but what leaves me speechless is the sadness in her eyes; no matter how much she tries to hide it, I can tell she’s been through something terrible.
“I can see why Skyler fell head over heels for you,” she said, her smile still intact.
My own smile widened as a flush spread across my cheeks. As I felt an arm drape over my shoulders, I looked down at the ground. Skyler stood beside me and gave Griselda and Sophia a stern look, muttering about how immature they were. They rolled their eyes at him, waved their arms dismissively, and turned their attention to me.
Sophia excitedly grabbed my arm and said, “Let’s go upstairs.”
They both dragged me away without giving me a chance to speak to Skyler, and I looked behind me to see Skyler with his arms crossed over his chest and a huge grin on his lips when he caught my gaze. My gaze shifted away from his, and I forced myself to shift my attention forward.
The upstairs was just as beautiful as the downstairs; it had ten rooms, but I couldn’t be sure because I lost track after the sixth. Griselda ushered both of us into a room, and my gaze was drawn to a young girl playing with a man.
“Mama”, The girl squealed and leapt to her feet, sprinting to Griselda.
“Hi, sweetie, have you been good to your uncle Dexter?” Griselda inquired, raising her brows.
Her baby blues made contact with mine as she nodded her head. “Who’s that lady?”
“Oh, that’s your aunt Amira,” My eyes widened, and I stared at Griselda with a confused look.
She motioned me forward with a soft smile, and my legs moved on their own. Bending down, I give the little girl a nervous smile as she continued to scrutinize my features. Unknown tears welled up in my eyes as her tiny arms encircled me and she rested her head on my chest.
“My name is Brittany, but everyone call me sweetie,” She smiled toothily as she drew away.
Her brow furrowed, and her tiny hands clutched my cheeks. “You’re sobbing.”
Sucking a deep breath, I rested my hands on hers and gently stroked them. Seeing her, I wished I could raise my own son in my arms rather than his. A tug on my arm brought me back to reality, and I smiled at Brittany as I stood up with her in my arms.
Tension rose in the room as Sophia and Dexter stared at each other, their gazes fixed. Dexter walked out the door with a sad smile on his lips and a shake of his head. Sophia closed her eyes and took a deep breath before returning her attention to us with a gentle smile.
“Who wants some ice cream?”
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Skyler’s POV
As she slept peacefully facing me, her beautiful brunette hair cascaded around the pillow. Her lips were slightly parted, and her chest rose and fell with each breath she took. She managed to take my breath away every day, and she had no idea how much power she wielded over me. She was stunning on the inside and out. She was such a strong woman that it only added to my admiration for her.
Her past haunts her to this day, but she doesn’t let it affect her. Instead, she holds her head high and looks out into the world. Her ambitious personality inspires those around her, and every time she smiles at me, my heart beats a little faster. She has lost many people in her life, but she doesn’t let it affect her; instead, she loves more than ever before.
Before she, I was lost in this world, thinking the mafia was my true family, but now I realize my true home is with Amira. She brought this sudden light with her and changed the way I saw the world. Life will knock you down, but you must learn to get back up.
I imagined a future with her in which we would reclaim Carl, marry, wake up to see each other, raise our children, and grow old together. We would teach our children to love and respect themselves because , it is one of the most important things that people should do in their lives.
“What are you thinking about so hard?” As she fluttered her eyes open, her voice came out sleepy.
I gave her a reassuring smile and leaned in to kiss her forehead, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. With the time I spent with her, I discovered she loved forehead kisses, so I try to fulfill her wishes one by one every day. She deserves the world, and if I could, I would give her my heart in the palm of her hands, but she already knows she has it, she knows she has it since our eyes met in that club.
“Our future,” I mumbled, my gaze meeting hers.
I smiled as she groaned, hiding her face in the crook of my neck. I drew her chin towards me and kissed her temple before claiming her lips with mine. She immediately responded with vigor, and her hands tightened around my waist. As I looked at her flushed form, she drew away and gasped for air.
“So, what do you want for our future?” As her breathing settled, she raised her brows in question.
I told her the whole truth while keeping my gaze fixed on her. “First and foremost, we would reclaim Carl at any cost, and then I would propose to you, we would have a beautiful wedding, have children, raise them, and grow old together.”
Her eyes welled up with tears, which I wiped away before they could fall. “I despise seeing you cry, Mia Bella.”
She shook her head, laughing. “Their happy tears, dont’ worry”.
“I can’t bear seeing you cry, happy tears or not, so please always smile,” I pecked the tip of her nose.
She smiled reassuringly and nuzzled her face into the crook of my neck, nodding her head. My arms wrapped around her waist and drew her closer to me. Sighing in contentment, I closed my eyes as an instant sense of peace and comfort washed over me. I could always feel at ease with her.
Amira jumped as the phone rang, and I drew myself away from her, my brow furrowed, as I examined the drawer. I looked at her, not knowing where the sound was coming from, and my jaws clenched tightly when I saw her fearful eyes. I gently stroke her cheeks while closing my eyes to relax.
“I’ve got it,” I got up from the ground and stood up.
But her hand caught mine, and she took a deep breath and shook her head meekly, looking between me and the drawer. Her other hand reached for the lid, pulling it open, and she took the phone out, staring at the screen with contempt.
“Here, let me answer,” I said as I waited for her to hand me the phone.
“No, I got it, it could be Carl,” She exhaled and pressed the green button to put the phone on speaker.
“Hello, baby,” My fists clenched as he said those heinous words.
She forced me to sit down and curl up to my side, grabbing my hands. I wrapped my arms around her and softly rubbed her back, gladly giving it to her. For a brief moment, the other line was silent, until a loud noise came from the background.
“When re you coming back, Mommy?” When I heard Carl’s voice, my eyes widened.
“S-soon,” Amira closed her eyes and her lips trembled slightly.
“Give me the phone, son,” The jerk demanded, and the line went silent once more until he spoke up.
“Come to the warehouse at 406 street or your son will be killed; oh, and come alone.” He hung up the phone without saying anything else.