Happy new year eve to everyone! I hope 2025 will more better and you will be even more happy! I have for you a small miracle with only one part of chapter 14 but I hope you will enjoy it.
With all my love, Jannel.
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Melissa
"Strange things."
I've never felt so weird. Not even when I came through my husband's clothes a few minutes ago. I mean, it's weird for a lot of people, isn't it? If you tell a man you want to divorce him and then you're wet like a cat. And then you send him out into the hallway with Natasha to talk to the kids. That's weird. Because - I don't know how to commit to girls.
I mean, have you ever interacted with kids who were your nieces and then it turned out they were your biological kids? I don't think so. That's why I just blink and try to figure out what to tell them.
I sat with a slight slouch, uncharacteristic of my usually impeccable posture, my chestnut hair was pulled back casually, and my emerald-brown eyes held a mixture of tenderness and concern as I looked at my triplets.
"I always forget how you've grown up so fast," I began, my voice soft but confident. "It seems like just yesterday I was trying to tell you three apart in the nursery when Alex first showed you off." What nonsense am I talking about?
Gianna, her usual brave self, folded her arms and leaned back in her chair, her brow furrowed. "Why didn't you tell me you were in the hospital?" she asked, her voice sharper than I'd intended.
I sighed, smoothing the blanket over my lap.
"I didn't want to bother you. You have so much going on - kindergarten, friends, classes. I thought I could handle it myself." And also - you were born into a very strange family in which everyone is trying to kill each other.
"You always say that," Josie whispered, barely audible. She sat on the edge of the bed, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. The middle child, always the peacemaker, but her eyes were brimming with tears. "Even when we thought you were our aunt, you always disappeared after saying those words." I swallowed, realizing that the two boldest and loudest were clearly ready to kill me mentally.
But Jane, the youngest and most sensitive of the three, sat cross-legged on the floor and looked at me with an expression of bewilderment and hurt.
"Are you okay now? You're not... not that sick, right?" I was shocked by what she was saying.
So I reached out and brushed a strand of hair from her forehead.
"I'm fine, honey. That's why Roman asked you to come - he wanted me to see you and explain everything."
Gianna didn't seem to believe it.
"You're not telling me something," she said. "After all, you promised to pick us up, but in the end you disappeared, and now you're in the hospital."
The words hung in the air. I knew my children were too perceptive, perhaps even more so than they should be at their age. I took a deep breath and looked each of them in the eye.
"I have some... health issues," I admitted. "It's not fatal, but it's been really wearing me out. I needed time to rest and recover. That's why I'm here." I couldn't tell them the truth, could I?
Tears rolled down Josie's cheeks.
"But you should have told us! We could have helped or at least visited. But we found out from pa....Roman!"
I winced.
"I know. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to push you away â I just didn't want you to see me like this." Now that's true.
Jane jumped up from the floor and hugged me tightly, wrapping her arms around my waist, not touching the wound.
"We don't care what you l-look like. We just want you to be with us finally."
I closed my eyes, holding her tightly to me.
"I know, honey. I'll be back with you soon and I'll be there for you, I promise."
Gianna was silent and looked calm, she was not hysterical like her sisters, her face was gloomy.
"But why now? Why did you decide to tell us everything today? And meet us? What will happen to us now?"
I hesitated. How to explain the pressure I felt, the secrets I kept, the decisions that seemed impossible? I chose my words carefully.
"Because I realized I can't do this without you," I finally said. "You are my world. And I want you to know that no matter what happens, we are a team. Always. Even if our story started out too confusing, we will unravel it together."
"But what next?"
"Next....Will you be okay with Roman for now? I'll be back as soon as I can, I promise."
Later, the conversation became lighter. Josie told a funny story from kindergarten, and Gianna enthusiastically shared her new interest: shooting. Jane, though quieter, remained close, watching me closely, as if trying to understand what I hadn't said.
As visiting hours came to an end, a nurse knocked softly on the door. I kissed each of my children, my heart heavy with separation.
"I'll see you soon," I promised, watching them reluctantly leave. Jane paused at the door, looking back one last time.
"Don't lie to us anymore," she said quietly before leaving.
When Roman appeared at the door, he clearly noticed that the children were already leaving, so I said:
"They will be in your mansion, but if anyone hurts them, I will kill everyone, including you and myself."
"Then...what about that mysterious party on Saturday to celebrate your return?"
"I will." I nodded. "But there's no room for children there."
Left alone, when Roman left, I leaned back against the pillows, my thoughts whirling in my head. I had told them part of the truth - but so much remained unsaid. For now.