Bonds

Chapter 142

-Maya’s POV-

The moment the words left Alex’s lips, a hollow ache settled deep within my gut. “There is no fight back,” he said, his voice flat and devoid of life. It was like watching a flame flicker and die – the fire that had always burned bright in his eyes extinguished.

Even with Natalia whispering explanations in my ear just moments before, the truth slammed into me with a brutal force. He was scared. Afraid to even approach them.

I didn’t know the details of what transpired between him and his father. From the way things were going, I could only imagine the man was a walking nightmare, someone who’d left deep scars on Alex. He was terrified of becoming the very monster his father might have been.

Ignoring the chaos swirling around us, I knew I had to act so my feet led me straight to him staring at the lake. His posture lacked the usual confidence and it was in that moment that I knew I didn’t want to lose him.

So when I said I forgave him, I meant it and when I said it was time to fight back, I meant it too but there was something even more important to do right now.

Alex needed to meet his children.

He hadn’t spoken a word since I’d gently insisted he couldn’t avoid them forever. Now, he paced outside the room like a caged animal, his anxiety palpable. Meanwhile, inside, I prepared the twins. It was a delicate task, explaining such a complex situation to three and a half year olds.

Especially Ivy. My sweet, sassy little girl. She was the one who clung most fiercely to Ivan.

“Mommy, where’s Ivan?” she’d asked earlier that day, her voice thick with a confusion that tugged at my heartstrings. There was no easy answer, no simple explanation that wouldn’t send her little world spinning.

Taking a deep breath, I gathered my courage. It wouldn’t be a perfect conversation, there would be bumps along the road, but it had to be done. It was time for them to meet their father.

“Sweetie,” I began, my voice as gentle as I could muster, “remember how we talked about families? How sometimes families are big and sometimes they’re small?”

Both Nate and Ivy nodded, their bright eyes fixed on me. “Well,” I continued, “today, we’re going to meet someone who is a very important part our family. Someone you haven’t met yet.”

“His name is Alex,” I continued, my voice dropping to a soft whisper. “And he’s… well, he’s the reason you and Nate are here.”

of

Silence descended upon the room. My words hung in the air, a foreign concept waiting to be digested. Nate tilted his head, a question forming in his big blue eyes. Ivy, however, remained blissfully oblivious.

“But where’s Ivan?” she piped up, her lower lip trembling slightly.

Explaining was a task beyond my current vocabulary, at least for their young ears. Instead, I opted for a gentle redirection. “Honey,” I said, scooping her onto my lap, “Ivan isn’t our family anymore. He stopped being nice to us and did some very bad things. Well, Alex is different. He’s kind and brave, and he wants to meet you and Nate very much.”

I’m not going to force you if you don’t want to meet this new person but if you do want to just squeeze

This breath

looked in between the two of us then puffed out a breath before squeezing. I let out a breath

stood up. “Come on. Let’s go

pounding a frantic rhythm against my ribs. Alex stood outside, his back ramrod straight, but with a tremor that betrayed his

Nate and Ivy. They’re finally ready to

had broken within him, releasing a torrent of conflicting feelings. Finally, a flicker of pride

four, a giant compared to their miniature frames. But he seemed to understand the unspoken message in my gaze, because he crouched down

father,” he whispered, more to himself than to us. The words hung heavy in the air, a quiet declaration that resonated

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10:33 AM

Chapter 142

the chaos that had been our lives. But in that moment, a wave of guilt washed over me. I had

his hands hesitantly, palms open, as if offering a handshake or some other gesture of introduction. “Hi”

my legs, peering at him with wide, curious eyes. The silence stretched, thick and heavy, and for a fleeting moment, I feared this initial

Nate reached out. He didn’t take Alex’s hand, but instead, stretched out a tiny hand and touched his face. Alex

silence. “You stole the blue in my eyes,”

my lips. Relief washed over me as Alex seemed to understand immediately. “I will give it back,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “I will give you

escaped my eye, tracing a warm path down my cheek. Nate, always the more perceptive of the two, seemed to sense the shift in the atmosphere. He let go of Alex’s face, a

a genuine smile for the

behind my legs. Alex turned to her, his smile faltering slightly under the scrutiny of her gaze. He tried again, this time addressing her directly. “Do you want everything in the world too?”

was immediate and blunt. “No, I want ice cream,” she declared, her voice dripping with a level of sass that contrasted her age. Then, with a wiggle and a determined push,

yell of delight and sprinted after her. “I want ice cream too!” he shouted,

shrill scream, followed by a burst of giggles, echoed down the hallway. “Get off me!” Ivy shrieked, her voice laced with playful annoyance. It was clear Nate, in his usual

his full height. “She’ll come around,” I said reassuringly. “She’s a little…” I hesitated, searching for the right word. Stubborn was the first that came to mind,

finished for me, a smile playing

awkward silence for a moment, the only sound the distant echoes of the children’s laughter. He glanced down the hallway where they’d disappeared,

as we

replied with a tired

finding Natalia. She’s their

I’m

stopped mid–sentence, realizing he was smiling again.

eyes, “What is