Chapter One
Elena's pov .
I shift under the covers, sighing and stretching. Well rested. I sit up and rub my eyes , the light showers in the room through the blinds.
I get out of bed and head to the first place I always do . The nursery.
I smile as I silently turn the knob .
Soft sunlight filters through sheer curtains, painting the nursery in warm gold. The room is a delicate balance of comfort and quiet luxury ,plush cream carpets underfoot, a rocking chair tucked beside a tall window, and two identical white cribs placed side by side like mirror images.
Above them, a mobile of tiny stars and moons turns gently with the air, casting slow shadows across the ceiling.
Personal touches fill the space , framed handprints, embroidered blankets with their names stitched in silver thread, a shelf lined with storybooks waiting for sleepy nights.
It smells faintly of baby powder and lavender, a peaceful little world created to keep danger far away.
Luca is already up as always sera is still snoring but will be up in a few .
Luca's adorable face greets me and my heart instantly swells with love and warmth.
Jet-black hair already too thick for his age, soft but unruly like his father’s. Those deep brown eyes , observant, intense , watching everything like he’s trying to understand the world before it understands him. And his eyebrows… mine. Same shape, same arch, like someone copied and pasted a piece of me onto a miniature version of Rio.
“Hey there trouble”
I coo and he wiggles in joy as I pick him up . His tiny hand wraps around my finger .
“Good morning sunshine…”
He smiles at me and leans onto me. I hold him . Feeling all the bits proud and happy to have brought this to life .
I turn around when I hear movement behind me .
“Morning miss”
Miss Gretta greats , my Nanny, a sweet woman in her late thirties . The only person I've allowed around my kids ..I trust and love her .
“Morning Gretta”
I smile .
“Offcourse trouble is up first ..”
She giggles and I giggle back handing him to her . I walk to Sera's crib .
She's rubbing her eyes ..the noise must have woken her up .
Sera looks like me in the way that makes my chest ache.
Thick black hair , darker than midnight, already beginning to curl at the ends, soft spirals forming around her ears no matter how many times I smooth it down.
Her eyes are unmistakably mine. Bright blue, wide, expressive… the kind that gives away every emotion before she even makes a sound.
Her nose, her lips, the shape of her cheeks all miniature versions of my own face, pressed into a tiny, perfect frame.
I take her in my arms and she curls into me, still a bit sleepy . Her hair rubs on my cheeks and I giggle .
“Hey there sleepy head ..,”
She mumbles something dangerously close to ‘Mama’
I smile and look at her adorable little face .
Drool on the corner of her mouth ..her cheeks flashed against the light.
“Good morning baby ..,”
She pats my cheeks jumping in my arms .
I giggle holding her against my chest as I watch Gretta change Luca.
My phone rings and my heart skips . It's been a while since someone actually called me .
I talk to Sam sometimes through a private untraceable number .
“Here ..let me answer this real quick I'll be back”
Gretta nods and takes sera from me .
I walk out of the nursery , my phone still ringing. I take out my phone . An unknown number flashes on my screen .
The morning breeze brushes against my night dress .
I hold my breath staring at it .
With shaky hands I answer , bringing it to my ear .
I don't talk first …I wait .
“Hey pumpkin”
My breath leaves my lungs .
Aunt Lilly.
“What do you want ?
“To see you “
Tears swell in my eyes . My heart pounds so hard .
“No …I can't ..”
“Pumpkin it's my last wish .. please I'm at my death bed ..”
“W..what?
“I have cancer ..stage four I'm too far gone ..I don't think I'll be here for too long…please Elena”
I go quiet for a bit .
Going to her means I'll leave Greece. I'll leave my kids here .
But it's her last wish .. despite what she did . It's the least I could do . She's dying anyway.
“Ok . I'll come”
“Thank you .. looking forward to it ..”
I hung up and sink down on the bench overlooking the ocean .
The waves hit the rocks , the air is fresh and peaceful.
I vowed to never go back to New York. I've been peaceful. Happy even . Almost two years of peace and not having to look over my shoulder .
New York holds so much trauma and unhealed wounds .
Memories of all that unfolded there flash in my head . My heart aches , my knee bounces up and down weighing the risks of leaving here . My hands dumpen . I watch the vast ocean and I finally decide.
I'll just go , hear what she has to say and come back immediately.
She was a traitor, but she is also the woman that took me in , despite the circumstances surrounding the situation she was the “Mother” I had .
Her dying wish is to see me .
What could go wrong ?
