37. Annalise

37

ANNALISE

T he sun casts a warm glow over the small, bustling café as Isabella and I find a table by the window. The scent of freshly brewed coffee and sweet pastries fills the air, mingling with the faint sound of laughter from the other patrons. Leaning back in my chair, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding, feeling the weight of recent events momentarily lifted.

“Did you see that cute dog outside?” Isabella gushes, her blue eyes sparkling with excitement. “I wanted to pet it so bad!”

“Maybe next time, Bella,” I chuckle, reaching across the table to ruffle her brown hair playfully. “For now, let’s enjoy this amazing food.”

Our plates arrive, piled high with delicious breakfast treats. Isabella beams at her stack of fluffy pancakes, while my own plate holds a tempting tower of golden-brown French toast.

“Come on, Lily,” Isabella teases, wagging her fork at me. “You’re eating for two now, remember? Better get started on that French toast!”

My smile falters, and I glance down at my stomach, my hand instinctively moving to rest on it. The thought of my pregnancy still churns an uneasy mixture of emotions within me—love, fear, and a nagging doubt about what the future holds.

“Isabella, it’s not that simple,” I murmur, trying to keep my voice steady. “There’s a lot to consider, and I…I just don’t know what’s best right now.”

“Hey,” she says gently, her gaze softening with understanding. “Whatever you decide, I’m here for you, okay?”

“Thank you,” I breathe, touched by her unwavering support. It’s a fragile lifeline amidst the storm of uncertainty raging inside me.

“Besides,” she adds with a cheeky grin, spearing a piece of her pancake and waving it at me, “you don’t want this delicious breakfast to go to waste, do you?”

Laughing at her antics, I accept the playful challenge. With renewed determination, I pick up my fork and dig into my French toast, savoring the rich flavors that dance across my tongue. One bite at a time, I remind myself. That’s how I’ll figure this out—one step, one decision, one bite at a time.

The sun dips lower in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over the bustling café. I watch as Isabella’s eyes widen in disbelief, her fork hovering mid-air, dripping with syrup.

“Wait, you slept with all three of my brothers?” she asks incredulously, shaking her head. “Annalise, what were you thinking?”

I sigh, running my fingers through my wavy brown hair and meeting her gaze. “It just…happened, Isabella. I never planned for any of this.”

“Okay,” she says slowly, setting her fork down. “So who’s the father?”

“Nikhil,” I confess, my voice barely audible over the din of chatter around us. “He wants to make our relationship work, but it’s not so simple. I have feelings for Cassius and Damian too.”

Isabella leans back in her chair, a thoughtful expression on her face. “That’s quite the predicament. But you’re going to have to make a choice eventually.”

I know she’s right. The weight of my decision presses down on me like a heavy fog, clouding my thoughts and making it difficult to breathe. I stare at my untouched French toast, the sweet scent of cinnamon doing little to ease my troubled mind.

“Can we talk about something else?” I ask quietly.

“Of course,” Isabella replies, her tone softening. She takes a sip of her coffee before launching into a story about her latest art project, the words flowing effortlessly from her lips.

As I listen to her animated tale, I can’t help but marvel at the stark contrast between our lives. Isabella’s world is filled with color and creativity, while mine has become a tangled web of secrets and desire.

My heart aches with longing for the simplicity of friendship—for the days when the biggest worry I had was deciding which movie to watch during our weekend sleepovers. Now, I’m caught in the middle of a dangerous dance with three alluring men, each one holding a piece of my heart.

I force myself to focus on Isabella’s words, her laughter and enthusiasm pulling me back from the edge of despair. For now, I find solace in our friendship—a brief reprieve from the storm that threatens to consume me.

“Annalise,” she says, her eyes shining with sincerity, “remember that no matter what happens, I’ve got your back.”

“Thank you,” I whisper, the words tinged with equal parts gratitude and fear. If only she knew just how much I needed that reassurance.

The sun casts long shadows across the cobblestone streets as Isabella and I sip our drinks. The café’s soft chatter provides a comforting backdrop to our conversation. My mind drifts, weighed down by the secrets I’ve shared.

“Damian’s wedding is next month, isn’t it?” Isabella asks, her voice pulling me back to the present moment.

I nod. “Yes, he’s marrying a woman from another bratva family.”

“Annalise, you know you shouldn’t have slept with him,” she admonishes gently, her eyes filled with concern. “It’ll only make things more complicated.”

My cheeks heat up at the thought of my tryst with Damian. “I know, but there was something about him…an intensity that drew me in.” My voice trails off as I recall the way his touch ignited a fire within me like no other.

Isabella sighs. “Well, what’s done is done. Just be careful, okay? These men aren’t like the ones you grew up with.”

“Trust me, I know,” I say, thinking of the dangerous world they inhabit. The thought of revealing the truth to the brothers terrifies me. Will they see me as a pawn, a means to an end? What if my betrayal pushes them to take drastic measures?

“Anna, are you okay?” Isabella asks, her eyebrows furrowed in worry.

“I’m just…” I pause, searching for the right words. “I’m afraid of what will happen when they find out about my daughters and the tangled web I’ve woven with all three of them.”

“Hey,” she says, reaching across the table to squeeze my hand. “You’re strong, and you’re not alone. We’ll figure this out together.”

I force a smile, grateful for her support. But deep inside, I know that once the truth comes to light, there’s no turning back. The consequences will ripple through our lives, and I may never escape the grasp of the bratva or the men who have captured my heart.

My heart races as I make a decision, reaching for Isabella’s hand. “Promise me you won’t tell your brothers about my pregnancy. It’s crucial that we keep this a secret for now.”

“Of course, Anna. I swear on my life,” she replies, her voice laced with sincerity.

“Thank you,” I exhale, feeling the weight of uncertainty still bearing down on me. My mind drifts to Sienna, my best friend and confidante, who I have yet to share my secret with. How will she react when I break the news?

“Anna, what are you thinking?” Isabella asks, breaking through my introspection.

“Sienna,” I admit, biting my lip. “I haven’t told her anything yet. I don’t know how she’ll take it.”

“Ah, your bestie.” Isabella smirks, leaning back in her chair. “Well, just remember that I’m here too, okay? And I can be quite the shoulder to cry on if need be.”

“I know, Isabella. You’re an amazing friend,” I say, touched by her support.

“Then let’s make it official,” she declares, playfully flicking a piece of food at me. “From now on, I am your best friend!”

“Hey!” I exclaim, feigning offense while wiping the food from my shirt. The momentary levity helps to lighten the heavy atmosphere, but I know that the path ahead is laden with difficult choices and potentially devastating consequences.

“Okay, okay,” Isabella laughs, raising her hands in mock surrender. “But seriously, Anna, you’ve got two people who care about you deeply. Lean on us when you need to.”

“Thank you.” A genuine smile tugs at my lips, and I feel warmed by her compassion. But as much as I appreciate her love and loyalty, my heart remains entwined with her dangerous and alluring brothers.

I can only hope that, when the time comes to face the truth, I’ll have the strength to protect my children and myself from the shadows that surround us.

I can’t help but let out a hearty laugh at Isabella’s playful food flick, momentarily forgetting the weight of my secret. For now, I revel in the genuine smile that graces her face, a rare moment of levity amidst the storm brewing within me.

“Alright, you win this round,” I concede, wiping away remnants of food from my cheek. “But don’t think it’ll be that easy to replace Sienna as my best friend.”

“Who said anything about replacing?” Isabella replies with a chuckle, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “There’s more than enough room in your life for both of us, isn’t there?”

“Of course there is,” I agree, my heart swelling with gratitude. Despite the tangled web I’ve woven, having friends like Isabella and Sienna by my side offers a sense of stability that I desperately need.

“Good,” she says, leaning back in her chair. “Now eat up, girl. We’ve got a lot to do today, and you’ll need all the energy you can get.”

As we continue our meal, I savor every bite of my delicious French toast, knowing that the coming days will bring countless challenges. But for now, I allow myself to find solace in the warmth of our friendship and the comforting hum of the café around us. This respite, however brief, is a balm to my weary soul.

“Promise me one thing, Isabella,” I say, my voice soft but firm. “No matter what happens, let’s always have each other’s backs.”

“Always,” she swears, her eyes locking onto mine with unwavering conviction. “You’re not alone in this, Anna. Remember that.”

“Thank you,” I whisper, tears pricking my eyes. Though the road ahead is fraught with danger and uncertainty, I know that with Isabella by my side, I can face whatever comes my way. Together, we are stronger.

“Alright, enough of this mushy stuff,” Isabella teases, standing up and grabbing her purse. “Let’s get out there and live our lives—one unpredictable day at a time.”

“Agreed.” I stand, feeling a renewed sense of determination coursing through me. As we step out of the café and into the bustling streets, I vow to navigate the treacherous path that lies ahead with courage and resilience, for the sake of my children and for myself.