CHAPTER 81

CHAPTER 81
CARLA'S POV

Somehow, I found myself back in Cardio, except this time I was actually doing it.

Alec and I had sex two days ago. We hadn’t had sex since then, and I was glad, because he fucked me stupid. I’d been so close to confessing about the children to him. Things were awkward for a while, but we were slowly going back to normal.

One thing was clear – we could never have sex again. Thankfully, I got my period today, which erased any fear of conception, but still, I could feel his hold on me.

“You know I can’t learn everything in a matter of days, Alec,” I grumbled as I lay on the ground, sweating. My abdomen was burning in pain. He’d been teaching me plank ever since yesterday evening.

“Not with that attitude.” He scoffed, and I glanced at him beside me. He was working out effortlessly.

My gaze dragged over his sweaty body, lingering on the V line. He had on a sweatpants that hung low on his waist.

My cheeks colored because I’d seen all of him. I knew he was packing a monster in those sweats. I knew he was skilled with his tongue. I knew he was skilful with his dick. I knew what he looked like when he came. I knew the fucking sounds he made when he came. I was haunted by the sounds. The whimpers, the gasps, the way his body trembled after an orgasm. Fuck.

“Are you even listening?” He asked, and I glanced at him, unable to say anything.

He narrowed his gaze at me as if he could read my mind. My cheeks heated, and I looked away from him.

“I need a break.” I cleared my throat and walked to the kitchen.

I leaned against the counter as I filled my cup. My body ached in certain places that had more to do with the sex and less to do with the workout.

“Carla,” I heard and glanced at him. He was walking toward me. My heart pounded because I’d been avoiding this for two days now.

“Don’t worry, I’ll get back on the ground in a second.” I faked a smile and grabbed the cup of water.

“Carla,” He sighed, and I shook my head, “We don’t have to talk about this.”

“I think we have t –” He began, but was cut off by his phone ringing.

I slipped away and got back on the ground. I held the Plank for as long as I could. I couldn't reinvent my whole body in a few days, but I knew this was important. He was trying to imbibe the determination in me, and I appreciated that. I knew that I had to learn how to protect myself because he wouldn’t always be here.

He walked out to take his call, and I wondered who it was, but I focused, going over the exercises we’d done together. The Mountain Climbers workout was designed to kill me, and so was the Side Plank. Everything was just so hard and painful, but that was the point, was it not? I could not lead the Ivanov Mafia as a weak woman who couldn’t even throw a punch.

I was struggling through a push-up when he walked in, panning the screen in my direction. My eyes widened when I saw my babies.

I gasped and reached for the phone immediately, “Hi, my babies.” I cooed, a wave of love crashing into me. I hadn’t expected to see them till this evening, but here they were, looking at me. My chest caved in and expanded all at once. My eyes prickled with tears when Rosa reached forward like she could touch me.

“I’m sorry,” I sniffed, my shoulders shaking as I tried to hold back my tears.

“I’m coming home. I swear, I’m coming home. Nothing is keeping me from you, my loves. Just three days more.” My voice shook as I spoke because I hated it so much. Three days felt like an eternity. I couldn’t wait three more days without my children. I was already losing my sanity. I couldn’t do it.

“Mom … where … where .. you?” Alec asked, blinking at me, and I inhaled shards, “Mommy is coming. I promise you. Mommy is coming.”

“L … Love you.” Rosa smiled at me, and my lip trembled as I tried to hold back tears.

“I love you, too, my babies. Do whatever Aunt Vivi tells you. Eat properly. Sleep on time. Don’t stress your Aunt and Uncles. I need you to be big boys and girls for Mommy. Can you do that for me?” I asked, even though my heart was shattered.

“Okay, Mommy.” Alec nodded, and Rosa smiled, waving her hands.

They were my fucking children, and they were being kept from me. I fucking hated this. I hated this situation. I hated everything. How long would we be kept here? How long would I be kept away from my children?

“Mommy has to go now, but know that she loves you. Bigger than the whole sky. Bigger than the ocean.” I whispered, saying the words I’d always said to them since they were in my belly.

“Love you, Mommy!”

The call finally came to an end, and something in me snapped like a rubber band.

“I can’t do this, Alec. I can’t. I want …” I sniffed, my shoulders shaking as a sob tore out of me viscerally.

“I want my fucking children, Alec. I don’t – I want them. I want to be with them. I can’t stay here anymore. I’m sorry, but I just can’t.” I sobbed, and he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into his warmth, which only made me cry harder. He held me tight as I cried like a baby.

“I’m so fucking sorry, Malshyka. You are going to see your children very soon. I’ll give it to you even if it’s the last thing I do.” He avowed and pressed his lips to my forehead.