Page 51 of Blissful Devotion

I can’t blame her; I wish Enzo were back also, but she will just have to deal with me a little while longer. At this point, if she tried to leave, I’d probably follow her; I’ve given myself one too many ideas about ghosts and other things that could be here with us to be left alone.

In the end, she climbs onto the bed and sits at the foot of it, across from me.

I open the box and shuffle.

“How about go-fish?” I ask because, sadly, I don’t know many card games, and even fewer that are fun with only two people.

“Go fish?” She sounds perplexed, and the look on her face makes my smile grow until my cheeks ache.

“I’ll teach you,” I tell her as I start dealing the cards, then toss the rest into the center for us to ‘fish’ from.

It takes a little while before she really gets it, but teaching her is entertainment in itself. Once she gets it, we go all out, and I learn that Sofia has a competitive streak.

She beats me more than I’m proud to admit, but I wasn't playing to win, and I’m glad she enjoys it too.

I’ve lost track of how many games we’ve played when my little one makes himself known, kicking hard enough that I suck in a breath through my teeth that has Sofía’s head snapping up in concern.

“Miss?” I hear the hesitation in her tone and quickly wave her off before they kick again, and I feel the smile pull at my lips.

Without really thinking, I reach out over our cards and grab Sofia’s wrist, pulling her arm back with me to press her hand to my stomach.

I see the questions in her eyes, but she doesn’t voice them, instead holding completely still just like I am.

Thankfully, it doesn’t take long for my little one to show off, and I hear her sharp intake of breath that lets me know she felt it.

I manage to let her feel a few more times, and when I look up, I’m shocked to find her eyes filled with tears, her lip quivering before she wipes at her face.

“I’ll go and see if lunch is ready. Bébé needs food to grow big and strong.”

She’s out the door before I can stop her. Sofia might be quiet, but she cares so much; it’s impossible to miss it if you just know what to look for.

I pick up the cards and lie down. My head still hurts, so I close my eyes and take a little nap until she comes back. The bed is comfortable but feels too big as I lie here alone.

Thankfully, I have about twelve pillows. I make quick work of surrounding myself with them before I settle down inside ‌my little nest, a sigh of relief on my lips as I drift off almost immediately.

Sofia wakes me a few hours later to let me know that dinner is ready and Enzo is home.

I’d be embarrassed about how fast I got out of bed if I gave a shit, but I don’t, not when I’ve felt his absence like a hole in my chest the last few days.

I run, nearly stumbling over my own feet as I take the stairs much faster than it’s safe for a klutz like me, but I can’t make myself stop as my feet pound on the ground.

I burst into the dining room, my chest heaving as I suck in deep breaths, one hand bracing the wall, the other resting on my stomach as my eyes fall to him.

And I feel nothing...

No happiness, no relief, just nothing.

The hole in my chest doesn’t feel as if it’s closed; if anything, it feels like it’s grown wider.

“Katherine.” The sharp bite of his call snaps me out of my thoughts, and I realize I’ve been standing here staring longer than is acceptable.

Shaking myself, I plaster on a smile that I hope is believable as I make my way toward him.

He holds out his hand, and it takes everything I have to reach for it.

“I missed you.” I force the words out even though I don’t feel them the way I thought I did.

His lips pull up in a smirk, but he doesn’t say it back. Instead, he leans in for a kiss, and I suck in a breath that makes him pause.