17. Annalise

17

ANNALISE

“ F ranny! Gina!” I exclaim, unable to contain my joy as I spot my beautiful daughters playing with a maid in the center of the luxurious space. There’s a board game between them, crafts scattered all over the place. It looks like they’ve been occupied. Their laughter fills the room like a melody, wrapping around me like a warm embrace.

It’s been too long…far too long.

“Mommy!” they cry in unison, their faces lighting up with delight as they rush toward me. Our arms entwine, pulling us together in a desperate hug that feels like a lifeline. Tears prick at the corners of my eyes as I press kisses to their soft cheeks, murmuring words of love and reassurance.

Words can’t explain how much I’ve missed them.

I ruffle their hair, holding them close, never wanting to let them go again. I’m so grateful to Isabella for letting me see them. I never thought I’d have to be given permission…but none of that matters right now, not while I have them in my arms.

I would do anything for these girls.

“Sweethearts, I’ve missed you so much,” I confess, my voice shaking with emotion. The weight of their small bodies pressed against mine grounds me and makes everything I’ve been through the last few weeks worth it.

“Missed you too, Mommy!” Gina replies, her voice muffled against my shoulder. Franny simply clings to me, her eyes brimming with tears that mirror my own.

“You’ve been gone so long.” Franny sticks out her bottom lip.

I pat her head with a small smile. “Mommy is back now. I’m not going anywhere.” I hope not, at least.

“Alright, girls, let’s give your mother some space,” the maid chimes in, attempting to gently pry Franny and Gina from my arms. I don’t let her, yanking them back against my chest. She looks at me with an air of confusion.

“Ms. Isabella,” the maids calls a bit cautiously, nodding her head at me like I’m some kind of wild woman. “I thought that…”

“Nobody cares about your thoughts.” Isabella’s words flow out easily, calm and assertive. “Annalise is a Volkov princess. She has a right to be here.”

A Volkov princess?

The words must hold weight, because the look on the maid’s face immediately turns to one of apology.

“Ms. Annalise, I apologize,” she says quickly. “I forgot myself.”

I offer her a reassuring smile, not quite used to the newfound title myself. The atmosphere in the room shifts, tension dissipating as Isabella’s words settle in.

What does it mean to be a Volkov princess? Just thinking the words seems to fill me with a sense of power.

“Mommy, look what we made!” Franny exclaims, grabbing my attention and pulling away from our embrace to gesture toward a table covered in colorful crafts.

Gina joins her sister, her eyes sparkling with pride. “We did paintings and made bracelets!”

“Show me everything,” I urge, my heart swelling with love and admiration for my talented girls. Together, we approach the table, their small hands eagerly guiding mine to each of their creations.

“Franny made this one,” Gina says, pointing to a vibrant watercolor painting of a garden filled with flowers and butterflies. The attention to detail takes my breath away, and I can’t help but marvel at my daughter’s artistic abilities.

“Wow, sweetheart, that’s absolutely beautiful,” I praise, my fingertips grazing the delicate brushstrokes. Franny beams up at me, her chest puffing out with pride.

“Look at mine too, Mommy!” Gina urges, directing my attention to a brightly colored bracelet made of intricate knots and beads. The craftsmanship is stunning, and I can only imagine the patience and skill it took to create such a piece.

“Your bracelet is gorgeous, Gina. You both have done such an incredible job,” I gush. My eyes flick between the two of them, and I feel a surge of pride welling up inside me. Their faces light up with pure joy, their accomplishments acknowledged and celebrated.

“Thank you, Mommy!” they chorus, their voices ringing out in the room like a sweet symphony, filling my heart with a warmth I haven’t felt since we were last together.

“Mommy, can we watch a movie?” Gina asks, tugging on my sleeve as Franny nods enthusiastically in agreement. Their eyes widen with anticipation, and I can’t help but smile at their excitement.

I look at Isabella, wondering if I’ll have the time. The brothers still don’t have a clue that I’m here, but she doesn’t look worried in the slightest and waves for me to continue.

“Of course, sweethearts,” I reply, glancing back at Isabella for assistance. Isabella moves toward an exquisite entertainment center that houses an impressive flat-screen television. As she selects a family-friendly film from the vast collection, I take a moment to observe the room we are in.

The space is lavish, adorned with opulent furnishings and rich fabrics, yet it maintains a sense of warmth and comfort. A plush rug lies beneath our feet, softening the sound of footsteps as we move around the room. The walls are embellished with intricate moldings and gilded frames showcasing beautiful artwork, creating an almost regal atmosphere.

“Marguerite, how about you go and grab us some snacks?” Isabella suggests to the maid. This is the fourth or fifth maid I’ve seen since I’ve been here. Just how many do they have?

“What kind of snacks would you like?”

“Popcorn!” Franny exclaims at the same time that Gina says, “Gummy bears.”

Marguerite gets the hint and leaves to get what they asked for. This is a life I never would have been able to offer my girls, and as dangerous as it is—there are certainly luxuries that come along with being Volkov princesses.

I watch as the movie begins to play, capturing the attention of my daughters who return to their crafts, their small hands working diligently while their eyes flit between their projects and the screen. The sight of Franny and Gina so content in this luxurious setting fills me with a mixture of awe and relief. After a week of worry and separation, seeing them happy and safe is all I could ever ask for.

I hadn’t expected that the brothers would provide for them so well.

Isabella’s delicate fingers brush against the soft fabric of Gina’s dress as she sits down beside my daughter. Her eyes sparkle with warmth and sincerity as I begin to speak, my voice barely audible above the enchanting melody of the film’s soundtrack.

“I must confess,” I begin hesitantly, my voice wavering as I admit the truth, “I was scared at first. I didn’t know what to expect when I came to see them.” I laugh as I look around the room. “They’ve never even had a house this nice, let alone such a fancy playroom. They’ve been taken care of.”

Isabella turns her attention to me, concern etched on her face. She reaches out and places a reassuring hand on my arm, her touch gentle yet firm.

“Of course,” Isabella says quickly. “They’re family.”

“I know, but…” I purse my lips, thinking about everything but not saying it out loud. Even though the girls are watching the movie, I don’t want them overhearing anything. After all, despite everything, one of the Volkov brothers is still their father.

“Annalise, I completely understand how you feel, but I promise you, nobody can harm Franny and Gina while they’re under our protection. They are safe here. My brothers would kill anyone who tried to lay a finger on them.”

Her words echo through my mind like a soothing balm, calming the storm of uncertainty within me. I force myself to take a deep breath, allowing the tension in my body to dissipate as I focus on the present moment.

As the movie continues to play, the room fills with the lighthearted laughter of my daughters. I watch my them, their eyes filled with wonder as they become consumed by the story unfolding on screen. And for the first time in weeks, I feel a sense of peace—the kind that comes from knowing that, at least for now, my children are safe and sheltered from the darkness lurking in the shadows.

As if on cue, Nikhil suddenly appears in the doorway, towering and imposing like a storm cloud rolling in. His icy blue eyes sweep over the room, locking onto mine with an intensity that makes me shiver.

“Annalise isn’t supposed to be here,” Nikhil says, his gaze shifting from me to Isabella. There’s a hint of accusation in his tone, and I can feel my heart pounding in my chest.

“She’s not causing any harm, Nikhil,” Isabella replies, her voice steady and confident as she meets her brother’s stare head-on. “She’s their mother, and she has every right to see her daughters.”

Nikhil’s jaw clenches, and I can sense the power struggle between the siblings. My thoughts race, trying to make sense of this sudden tension. It’s clear that Nikhil is protective of Franny and Gina, but why would my presence cause such unrest?

“Isabella’s right,” I say, finding my voice amid the unease. “I just want to be with my children. I won’t cause any trouble.”

“Nikki!” Franny calls with a huge grin on her face. She runs over to him, wrapping her arms around his legs. “You said you were going to bring me a toy. Where is it?” I glance at Gina, who’s fast asleep on the couch, before my gaze returns to Nikhil and Franny.

This isn’t their first time spending time together. How many times has he visited her?

Nikhil lets out a breath, eyes becoming kinder for a moment, as he looks at her. “How about I just take you with me?”

“Deal.” She bounds back over to me, and I rub her side before feeling the eyes burning into me.

Nikhil studies me for a moment, his piercing eyes seeming to penetrate straight through me. His gaze lingers on me for a heartbeat before he beckons Isabella out of the room, his voice clipped and urgent. “We need to talk. Now.”

“Of course, Nikhil,” Isabella replies, her eyes holding mine for a moment with a silent reassurance. She follows him into the hallway, leaving me alone with Franny and Gina.

My mind remains fixated on the closed door separating me from Isabella and Nikhil’s conversation.

What could they be discussing so urgently? And why did Nikhil react so strongly to my presence? My gut churns with unease.

“Mommy?” Gina’s voice pulls me back to the present, her blue eyes wide with concern.

“Sorry, sweetheart,” I murmur, brushing her hair back gently. “I was just thinking.”

“About what?” she asks innocently.

“Nothing you need to worry about,” I reassure her, forcing myself to focus on the safety and happiness of my daughters at this moment.

As we continue watching the movie, my ears strain to catch any snippets of conversation from behind the closed door. The muffled tones of Isabella and Nikhil’s voices drift through the air, fueling my curiosity and anticipation.