Page 129 of Captive Promise

Marta is there waiting for us, Seraphina balanced on her hip. The moment the little girl sees me, her whole face lights up, her eyes widening with joy and excitement.

“Kat!” she squeals, her voice high and bright. She wriggles in Marta’s arms, reaching for me with chubby, grasping hands. Marta steps forward, ready to pass her over, but hesitates when she sees the way I’m leaning on Nico, the pallor of my face and the bruises marring my skin.

“Are you sure you can,” she starts, her brow creased with concern.

But I’m already reaching for Seraphina, my arms aching to hold her. “I’m sure,” I say, my voice brooking no argument. “Please, Marta. Let me.”

Marta nods, her expression softening with understanding. She steps closer and carefully transfers Seraphina into my waiting embrace.

The moment her little body settles against mine, it’s like a missing piece of my soul slots back into place.

I sink down onto one of the plush benches lining the foyer, cradling her to my chest, breathing in the sweet, familiar scent of her.

“I missed you so much, Bee,” I murmur into her hair, my voice choked with emotion. “So, so much.”

Seraphina pulls back a little, her small hands coming up to pat my cheeks, her touch gentle and clumsy. “Missed you, Kat,” she says solemnly. “Where you go? I look everywhere!”

The simple, innocent question is like a knife to the heart. I swallow hard, blinking back the sudden sting of tears. “I know, Bee. I’m sorry. I…I had to go away for a little while. But I’m back now, okay? I came back for you.”

Seraphina looks puzzled by this, as if not truly understanding what I’m saying. But then she leans in, pressing a wet, smacking kiss to my cheek. “I love you, Kat.”

Oh god. Oh god, it hurts. It hurts so much to hear those words and feel the fierce, unconditional love in her embrace because I know what’s coming.

I know that in a few short minutes, I’ll have to let her go.

But I can’t think about that now.

Instead, I hold her tighter, rocking her gently back and forth, memorizing every tiny detail of this moment.

The weight of her in my arms, the softness of her hair against my cheek, the sweet smell of her breath.

“I love you too, Bee,” I whisper fiercely. “I love you so, so much. Don’t you ever forget that, okay? No matter what happens, no matter where you go, I will always love you.”

She smiles, her little fingers playing idly with the ends of my hair. I close my eyes, pressing my lips to the crown of her head. I know that in a few short years, she likely won’t remember me at all, and thankfully won’t remember any of this.

But that’s okay. She’ll be safe and loved and happy, back with the family who adores her.

We step out onto the front porch, the cool night air washing over my flushed skin. There’s a small crowd gathered in the driveway—my cousins, the Brennans, and the Santoros. I hear a ragged gasp and Leo is holding his tearful wife up.

“My baby!” Emma is moaning. “Leo, get my baby!”

A tearful Valentina Brennan grabs Emma while Leo rushes forward toward his daughter.

“Seraphina,” he croaks out, his voice breaking. “Oh god, baby girl. Daddy’s here. Daddy’s got you.” He snatches her from my arms with a speed that leaves me breathless and he crushes her to his chest, burying his face in her hair, his shoulders shaking with great, heaving sobs.

Emma is right there with him, throwing herself at her husband and daughter.

She peppers Seraphina’s face with kisses, laughing and crying all at once, her hands shaking as she smooths them over every inch of her little girl, reassuring herself that she’s real, that she’s here.

Watching them, the sheer, overwhelming force of their love and relief, it’s like a fist squeezing around my heart.

Tears stream down my face, blurring my vision. I’m so incredibly, incandescently happy for them.

Seraphina surfaces from her parents’ embrace after a long, tearful moment. She twists in Leo’s arms, her eyes searching until they find me again.

When she spots me, her whole face creases into a bright, beaming smile, and she waves one small hand in my direction.

“Bye-bye, Kat!” she chirps, her voice high and so, so precious. “Love you!”