Fighting For My Twins

Chapter Thirty Seven

Bella’s POV

A high pitched wail sounded.

Gabriel and I jerked up at the same time from where we’d fallen asleep on the sofa in the nursery. We didn’t bother going into our beds most of the time because Jordan and Jemima woke every two hours. He and Mom took turns helping me, and during the day Belsa changed diapers and helped feed them as well. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d slept more than two hours in the last six months.

Gabriel rubbed his face. I knew he didn’t sleep much on the nights he wasn’t helping either. The Hevanes was planning something. He had only hinted to it, but it could only be an attack on the Hades . It scared me, terrified me because I wasn’t only scared for Gabriel and Dad but also for the man I couldn’t forget.

I stood and so did Gabriel. He reached for Jemima like usual and I took Jordan. This was our routine, one I didn’t question anymore. I was glad for Gabriel’s support, even if he couldn’t bear being near my son.

Thirty minutes later, Gbtielnand I sat shoulder to shoulder, Jemima sound asleep in his arm and Jordan wide awake in mine. He snatched at my hair and yanked. I loosened his hold, wincing, and pushed the strand out of reach.

Jordan let out a happy yowl, eyes zooming in on Gabriel.

I followed his gaze. My brother sighed and put his head back. “Don’t give me that look,Bella.”

“What look?”

“Like I’m breaking your heart.”

“Why do you have such a hard time looking at Jordan but have no trouble holdingJemima?”

“Because with her I can overlook the similarities, but with Jordan...”Gabriel shook his head, lowering his gaze to my boy who was happily chewing on his own fingers.

“With him all I can see is Erik fucking Erik .”

“Shh,” I shushed him. I stroked Jordan’s head but he was oblivious to what was being said. One day he would understand, though. One day he would realize what the looks he got meant

.

“You’ll never be free of him because of them,Bella . Maybe without those kids people would have eventually forgotten what happened and moved on, but they are living breathing reminders. Once people find out they are the Devils kids, and trust me everyone will know they are his, things will get really ugly.”

I rocked Jordan and his eyes began drooping. “If anyone tries to hurt my children by making them feel less than, they’ll have to go through me.”

Samuel smiled sadly.

“I’ll be at your side. I’ll always protect you.” Me. Not my kids. Never them.

Erik. One look.

The same cruel eyes.

Pitch black.

Erik through and through.

Shame. Sin. Dishonor. Bastards.

Why did she ruin herself by having his children? Why didn’t she get rid

of them?Hades .

So far the words were only whispered in theHeavens , but soon they would be screamed because every day my children looked more like the devil, like Eriks. In a week my twins would be seven months old, and I hadn’t even left the house with them yet. The only fresh air they got was when I was in the garden with them. The midwife and doctors had made home visits.

Despite these precautions word about them was spreading among our circles. Maybe the maids let something slip. Maybe it was one of the bodyguards or maybe one of the angels trusted his gossipy wife too much.

I’d attended two events with Gabriel, and the whispers had followed me everywhere. The pity and curiosity. The incomprehension and even anger that I had chosen these children and not disposed of them, as if that would erase the kidnapping.

When we arrived home after one of these social gatherings, the birthday party of Dad’s second-in-command, I lost it right in the middle of the lobby.

“I can’t stand it,” I said harshly. “Can’t stand how everyone whispers their names as if they are something sinful. I don’t want them to grow up

ashamed of who they are.”

Mom who’d stayed with the kids because she didn’t feel well enough to attend an event appeared on the landing, looking concerned at my outburst.

Dad sighed, his expression reflecting pain.

“Everyone knows what happened. Everyone knows what they are and that won’t ever change.”

“What they are ...” I stared at my father.Gabriel touched my shoulder, but I shook him off.

“They are mine! They are your blood too. They are part of the Outfit!

When will you accept that? Will it take Jordantaking the oath for you to come to terms with it?”

Dad and Gabriel exchanged a look, and I took a step back.l

“He’ll become part of theHrvanws , right? He’ll become one of the devil of a city one day? It’s his birthright.” His birthright is to become king of Jaades after Erik.

Dad gave me a sad smile. “Dove,” he murmured.

“No,” I whispered. “Don’t tell me you won’t let Jordan mount to anything because of who his father is.”

Gabriel gave me a look as if I was being unreasonable. “Bella , he looks like a fucking Hades devil.They are all fucking insane. Erik’s. twisted blood runs through his veins. And just look at him. He’s already got an impossible temper at only seven months.”

“Our soldiers will never accept him, not after what his father did. We’ve still barely recovered from the attack. Every wedding is heavily guarded, every woman protected by twice the number of guards. That shame lingers and your children are a constant reminder of it,” Dad said quietly.

I turned around and left them standing there. Rushing past Mom without a word, I stormed into the nursery and closed the door, breathing harshly.

Jordan and Jemima were asleep in the crib they shared, both sprawled out on their backs. Jordan’s hand rested on Jemimas chest. They always ended up touching when they slept.

My children weren’t something shameful.

I wouldn’t allow anyone to make them feel that way. Not even the family I loved.