Fuck.
I sent up a silent prayer that it wouldn’t come to that.
38
ROSALIE
“Mommy, can we put extra chocolate chips in?” Ellis asked me as we added our ingredients to the big mixing bowl in the horsemen’s kitchen that evening.
Cole had to go work at the hospital and had been gone for over twelve hours now. Ethan was away, staying at a hotel with Enzo’s son, so as not to distract us from Cole. Enzo… I assumed he was working. He left early and hadn’t been back since. Instead, he’d left Memphis and Dmitri outside the door and more men downstairs.
It was almost like being back in the past.
“Sure,” I said, smiling at her.
“I think my daddy will like extra chocolate chips!” she exclaimed, adding more to the bowl.
She’d enjoyed hanging out with Cole last night, but she went to bed early, and I went with her. I’d barely spoken to Cole. He’d been enraptured with Ellis, and I did all I could to keep from crying as I watched him try to play with her and learn all he could.
His coming into our bedroom all night had gotten annoying, so I’d locked the door. The only thing I knew from him was that he had a long day at the hospital and he’d be home later tonight. I didn’t even reply to the message. It didn’t matter to me what he did.
At least that’s what I told myself.
He’d made it clear he wasn’t interested in me anymore when he walked out on me. Now, he was zeroed in on our daughter, and I really prayed he stayed in her life and didn’t hurt her by running off.
The front door opened, and I looked to see Cole coming in, a bag in his hand. Ellis jumped off her stool and ran for him.
The most beautiful smile spread across his face as he bent, his arms open wide for her.
She rushed into them, and he hugged her tightly.
“Hey, Ellie-gator,” he murmured softly. “How’s my perfect girl?”
I swallowed hard as he doted on her.
“Ellie-gator?” She giggled as she pulled back to look at him. “I’m not a gator!”
He chuckled. “You’re my Ellie-gator. My Ellie-Belly. My Ellie-phant.”
She giggled louder as he tickled her.
I looked away and wiped at my eyes quickly.
Damnit, Cole…
“What have you and Mommy been doing today?” Cole asked as she took his hand and led him to the kitchen.
“Making cookies! Mommy said you like her cookies!” Ellis released his hand and climbed back onto her stool next to me.
“I do. Mommy’s cookies are my favorite,” he said, stopping at the kitchen island across from where I was sitting.
“Hey, Rosalie,” he greeted me softly.
“Hey,” I murmured.
“How was your day?” he asked.
“Nice.” I gave him a quick smile. “How was yours?”
