Broken Love

Worlds apart

Monika pov 

I was struggling so much to stay on my own feet, but not for a moment I wanted to give him the pleasure of seeing me fall. So I bite my tongue, to hold back moans of pain and started to walk myself. I felt dizzy, and there was not a single part of my body that was not hurting. A few times everything went dark, but I kept going. In my mind, there was only one thing, my son. 

I guess motherly love and my protective instincts toward my baby were stronger than anything else. I was certainly much stronger than I thought I would be. That monster followed me to the door of the bedroom, upstairs and a few times offered a helping hand. But every time he approached me I clinched in disgust, I would rather go voluntary in the mouth of a shark, than voluntarily touch him. 

Thank God, the moment he was about to come with me inside the room, he received a text message and his face changed. He seemed upset, much to my satisfaction. It must be something related to his work, which was the only thing more important to him, than making my life a living hell. And every time he had a problem I would have at least some hours at peace, away from him. 

"Behave! Don't you dare to break my rules or I'll make you regret the day you were born" - he threatened me, looking straight into my eyes. I felt a burning humiliation and pure hate, but all I could do was to nod, in obedience. 

As he left, I slowly opened the door. 

"Baby?" - I called out to my son, but my voice was so weak, I could barely hear my voice. The big room seemed empty, I looked everywhere for him. Suddenly I heard the soft sobs of my child, coming from inside the walking closet. 

"Leo? Baby? Where are you? " - I forced myself to speak, even though I had no force at me, as I was rushing where the voice came, as fast as I could at the miserable state that I was. 

"I want my mommy. Mommy? Please, come! Don't leave me mommy" - my baby son was crying desperately, hidden in between some coats, with his head placed in the side. I felt my heart breaking to pieces, my soul crushed. All the pain, all the tortures I have gone through, nothing at all compared to this. 

"Leo? Baby?" I lowered down to his level, ignoring the exhilarating pain of my legs and back. "I am here my love, I am here my sweet child. Mommy would never leave you!" - I threw the expensive coats away, reaching out to my son, eager to hug him, to take him under my arms, and to protect him. 

"Mommy?" - his sweet voice mixed with his soft heartbreaking cries was like a sharp knife, that cuts through the very essence of my soul. I took his little body next to me, hugging him tightly, never wanting to let him go. But he started punching his little fist at me, trying to break free.

"Where were you? Why did you leave me? You promise you would take me with you" - he said crying still. 

I could not help but break in desperate sobs as well. Because of that monster's cruel punishments, my son thinks that I have abounded him. I always tried not to cry in front of Leo, but everything was so overwhelming, I am human as well. 

"I am so sorry baby, mommy will never leave you again. I didn't want to, I love you so much, my baby" - I hated how weak and desperate my voice sounded, the last thing I want is to scare my son. 

"Mommy?" - he broke off the hug, whipped his tears, and with his little hands cupped my face. "You were in the room mommy? Did he hurt you much" - he said caressing my cheeks, looking at me with worry, which makes my heart clench inside me. The bruises and the cuts on my face gave away, what I was trying to hide. My child was growing up witnessing the terrible violence and I knew that it would affect him. My 5-year-old son was trying to take care of me, trying to be strong and comfort me, while I was completely unable to protect him. 

"I would never leave you, my baby. Mommy loves you so much. You are my entire life, Leo. Never forget that" 

"I love you too mommy" - he said and hugged me. His little arms around my neck, his sweet baby scent was like a soothing balm for my soul. 

"I love you, I love you so much baby" - hugged him even tighter, giving hundreds of kisses to him. 

"Oh God, help me save my baby. Take my life, but save my baby from this hell" - I prayed again mentally, as my whole body was trembling, and my heart was racing inside me. 

......................................

third pov 

"Mermaids? You promise our toddler that Princess Ariel and her friends will come to visit her?" - Lana asked Massimo, looking at him like weird and kind of shocked, as she took a seat next to him at the breakfast table. 

"I would do anything for my baby. You know how much she loves that little Ariel or how is it called" - Massimo replied calmly, sipping some coffee.

"Can you keep it to real things? The whole morning she has not stopped speaking about mermaids, she was so excited she barely could eat. You should have not done this Massimo, I don't know how will I explain to her that such a thing is not possible" 

" I promise my daughter mermaids and I will bring her mermaids" 

'Are you listening to yourself? Should I also explain to you that mermaids do not exist? Neither does Santa Claus" - Lana replied frustrated, making Massimo chuckle. 

"I have already hired some professional mermaids performers, who will give a show to the inside pool. One of them will dress like the Disney Princess that our daughter loves" 

"Oh... I have not thought of that" - Lana said surprised, a flame of admiration sparkled inside her. Since the moment their daughter came to life, Massimo had gone above and beyond to give her the world. He was a great and dedicated father, the bond he shared with Daniella was so special and strong, sometimes it made Lana almost feel left out. She felt a rush of love inside her. 

"We should throw a kids party, and invite her kindergarten friends. They will love the show, for sure. I will ask Laura to take care of the preparations. I will also speak with her teacher and the parents to invite her class" - he continued speaking, without noticing the way Lana was looking at him. 

"Thank you" - she replied feeling emotional, while her eyes water

"Hey, hey, hey? What's wrong baby girl? Why are you crying? " - he turned all the attention towards Lana, leaning down to cup her face, with both of his hands. 

"No, no.. I am fine. Thank you for giving our daughter a magical childhood, for being the best father ever. You have no idea how blessed and safe I feel.  I can not even describe to you the peace I have for knowing that my baby, will always have you by her side to love, protect and cherish her" - Lana replied smiling softly. 

Massimo felt his heart clench inside him, knowing that her sudden emotional breakout, was due to her traumatic past. He knew that since the moment Lana found out she was pregnant it became her mission to never allow that her child suffers the way she did. 

"I will also be your side to protect and love you always baby girl. Our daughter and you are the most important thing I have in my life. Don't you think for a minute, I have forgotten all the depression, pain, and struggle you fought against, to give birth to our precious baby. You are an amazing woman my love, and even more of an amazing mother. I love you so much" - he said resting his forehead over her, in an intimate way. He then softly kissed her cherry lips, making her whole body tremble by his tenderness and passion. As the years have passed, their bond had grown even stronger, they were now inseparable.

"I love you too" - she whispered, with a bright smile, that light up her whole face. 

"Massimo? Please, don't forget the gala. It is tonight" -  she reminded him. 

"Of course not, baby girl. I'll be there punctual. Are you sure you don't want us to go together?" 

"No... I have to be there earlier to make sure everything is in its place. And besides... I want to avoid the questions of journalists or the rest of the guests. You know how they keep asking questions about our relationship, and I don't want to explain myself to anyone" 

"As you wish baby girl. Don't mind them" -he replied calmly. Lana smiled, nodding her head, but she could not help but wonder to herself, why he had not proposed marriage to her yet.  

.................... 

third pov 

"Massimo Stark continues to be the most eligible bachelor in the country. Rich, successful, extremely handsome.... and have you seen his new paparazzi picture, when he is holding his adorable little daughter? I mean you can just tell that he is such a devoted father. Can this man be more attractive?" 

"He may be divorced, but I don't think that he is alone. Rumors have it that Massimo Stark is still in love with his ex-wife, Lana and they are both very much together" 

"Oh, yes. We have some exclusive pictures. Look at them, these photos were taken during their last trip to Paris. It's blurry, but they are clearly kissing."

"I don't understand why they have broken up. They are clearly the most beautiful couple and they made the cutest baby. " 

"I have met Lana several times, she is such a noble and sophisticated woman. She is so kindhearted also, her latest charity has helped thousands of children..." - the voices of the gossip journalists suddenly stoped, as Monika turned off the TV. 

"I was watching that" - Rose said with anger. For hours she had waited impatiently until the weekly gossip show started, where Massimo and Lana were their favorite topic to speak and gossip about. And Rose would register on her mind every single detail, with a maniac obsessive behavior that creeped out Charlotte, and now even Monika. 

"My son is asleep, and the voice was too loud. You have a TV in your room, you have no business here. " - she replied coldly. Monika had disliked Rose the first minute she met her, and while she got to know her she realized that her instinct was not wrong. As much she tried to ignore Rose's presence, she made it impossible for Monika not to hate her. 

" You know damn well, the cable does not work at my room. Now give me back the remote" - Rose replied fuming. 

"No! You can see this later on youtube. As I said my son is asleep. Now leave" 

"The time spend in that damn room, has not served you well I see. Should I speak with my brother, to make you reflect more on the way you should address guests in this house?" - Rose said with a smirk, her raspy voice was filled with venom. 

 Monika felt disgusted by her. She took a deep breath, trying to control herself, to not throw the remote right to her face. "Maybe I will also speak with you dear brother on your sick obsession with Ruxelana Stark and how you have tried several times to call her, despite his orders." - Monika replied with a hard face. 

Rose paled listening to her, she knew how cruel her half-brother was and she desperately needed his help, to stay hidden and alive. "Don't you dare" - she whispered, "Don't you dare or else..." 

"Or else you'll be in an electrical chair, been cooked to death. Don't you dare disturb my child peace, nor threaten me again. Not get the f**k out of my sight" - Monika said with determination, and turned them back on her, leaving Rose stunned and fuming in rage. 

"She is quite something, isn't she? I can see why "the Russian" is so obsessed after her - Charlotte said with a smirk, from behind Rose's back

"You were here? The whole time?" - Rose asked at her, feeling annoyed that Charlotte had listened to how Monika humiliated her. 

"I was just getting a cup of coffee. Come, I have taped the program, we can see it in our room."