Page 55 of Forbidden Forget-Me-Not

“Aunt Kay,” he cheered as he wrapped himself around my legs, making me laugh.

Squatting, I hugged him back. “Hey, bud. What are you up to?”

“Mommy is taking us down to the beach for a walk, and then we’re going to have ice cream before we watch a movie. Do you want to join us?”

“I’d love to, bud, but I’m meeting Nana Mikhailov for brunch. Next time.” I smiled at him, then at Savannah, who looked as radiant as ever. I couldn’t believe she was pregnant again. Nathaniel as a father of three…I never thought I’d see the day.

“Cutter, go tell Sergey what we’re doing so he can get the guards ready,” Savannah said.

“Okay.” He took off like a bullet through the sliding door into the backyard.

“I wish I still had half that energy,” Savannah said with a wistful sigh.

“Thanks for letting me stay. My father is…”

Savannah snorted. “A dick?”

I smiled. “Yeah. Exactly.”

“Anytime. You’re always welcome. It’s nice having another woman in the house. The testosterone is suffocating.

I stepped up to the island, scanning the kitchen for Goran as if he might be hiding in a corner.

“Have you seen Goran?”

“I think he drove Nathan to the airfield. I’m not sure what his plans are for the rest of the day. Do you want me to call him?”

I shook my head. “No, it’s fine. I was just curious. Hopefully, I don’t need a guard while having lunch with my mother.”

“Alright. Have a wonderful lunch. Tell Helena I say hi, and she can drop by anytime. The kids miss her. I’d better get going before Cutter tells me I’m putting him behind schedule. That boy is way too much like his father,” Savannah said, laughing as she picked up Chloe from the playpen.

“I will.”

I watched them head out the door, then did the same a few minutes later. This was what I wanted. A home I chose. A family and a marriage I chose. Not a life handed to me, not one where I was expected to shut up and be grateful.

I had no sooner stepped outside when Charles pulled up in the limo. The car came to a stop, and for an older man, he sure moved fast. He jumped out and opened the back door.

“Good morning, Charles.”

“Good morning, Ms. Mikhailov.”

I smiled when I saw my mother sitting all prim and proper inside, a bright smile spreading across her face.

“Kaylani. I’ve been so worried.” She pulled me into a hug as I settled beside her.

“Hi, Mom.”

She pulled back and stared at me.

“I’m so sorry your father hit you. I gave him an earful later. He is certainly doing his best to destroy what is left of this family.” Her eyes filled with tears as she cupped my cheeks. “You look so beautiful.

“So do you.” The pretty purple dress she wore made her eyes sparkle, and I decided not to ruin that loveliness with talk about Father. I wanted a few moments just for us. “I was thinking we could get our hair done soon. Like old times.”

“I’d love that. We can invite Fiona as well. She has been feeling cooped up lately,” she said, laying her hand on mine. “We have started a nightly game of cribbage. She taught me how to play, and I’m obsessed.”

The rest of the drive was happy and light, filled with warmth and laughter. It reminded me of how things used to be, before Father decided I was old enough to be used as a poker chip.

Once upon a time, I had run into his office with a book and sat on his lap to read it before he carried me to bed and tucked me in.