“Don’t tear the stitches.” It almost sounds like she cares.
Letting out a chuckle, I shake my head and mutter, “Yes, doctor.”
She keeps still for a beat longer before slipping out the door.
Chapter7
Nina
After being forced to listen to Ivan’s crude remark about fucking me, he finally opens the door.
I rush inside, and Simi’s head pops up from where she’s brushing her doll’s hair. Dropping the toy, she scrambles to her feet. “Mama!”
I sweep my beautiful girl into my arms and hold her tightly while taking a deep breath of her scent. “Milo moe,” I almost whimper from the intense relief of finally getting to hold my daughter.
“I missed you so much, Mama,” Simi sniffles while snuggling deeper into my embrace.
“I missed you, too.”
I hear Tanya move and quickly glance in her direction. She pauses at the door, glaring at me. “If either of you causes trouble, Ivan will deal with it.” Her mouth curves into a triumphant smile as she steps into the hallway. “Boris sent for me.” Smug laughter bubbles over her lips. “Can’t keep my man waiting. Enjoy your two hours with the brat because I know I’ll enjoy my time with your father.”
Bitch.
I turn my attention back to my daughter and move her to the corner where her toys are, aware of Ivan standing near the door, watching us.
Simi lifts her head and looks toward the door, then back at me, her expression brightening. “She’s gone.”
“For a little while,” I murmur as I stretch out onto my stomach, propping my chin on my hand. “Looks like I get my girl all to myself. Do you want to color?”
A tiny smile blooms on her face, all sweetness and love, and she pushes her coloring book closer to me, the page partially covered with wild circles and uneven patches of color.
“This is us,” she whispers, pointing at the top corner.
I study the two crooked figures she’s drawn, one much taller than the other, and point to a yellow shape hovering above us. “And what’s this?”
“The sun.”
God, what I’d give to walk outside with Simi.
She lies down beside me, and with our heads close to each other, I ask, “What did you do today?”
She shrugs. “Tanya watched her show and said if I made any noise, she’d spank me.”
I hate that woman so much.
Simi looks at me. “I kept quiet, Mama.”
My heart constricts in my chest. “You’re such a good girl,milo moe.”
We begin to color, our crayons moving over the paper while she narrates everything she draws. She gives flowers names, insisting the blue scribble is a pool we’ll one day have when our prince comes.
She hooks her left hand through my arm and holds on to me as if she’s scared I’ll suddenly disappear.
I drop the crayon and smooth my fingers through her hair, pressing tender kisses to her temple. “I love you so much. You fill my entire heart.”
When Simi glances at me, I give her an affectionate smile.
She tips her head to the side and whispers, “You look prettier when you smile.”
