Page 164 of Obsessed by My Ex's Mafia Uncle

“Or goats.”

That one cracks something open in me and a broken laugh escapes, tears falling immediately after.

Goodness.

I miss her voice.

I miss her endless questions.

I miss her tiny footsteps running through the house.

“She’s coming back.” I nod again, firmer this time even as my chin trembles. “She has to.”

“She will.” Aisha reaches for my hand immediately, squeezing hard.

I stare at Blue’s chest rising and falling slowly under the blanket.

Please.

Please let that be true.

I don’t think I will survive this version of the world if it isn’t.

I keep staring at Blue’s chest.

Up.

Down.

Up.

Down.

I feel like if I stop watching, something terrible will happen.

“Easy on yourself.” Aisha exhales shakily before slipping an arm around my shoulders carefully, mindful of the bruising still stitched through me.

I lean into it, tired in a way sleep cannot fix.

“She’s stubborn,” Aisha murmurs against my hair. “Remember her grudge against me for eating the last strawberry yogurt.”

“It was her yogurt,” I mumble weakly.

“She was two.”

“She meant business.”

That almost earns another laugh out of us, but it's trapped back in when the door opens behind us.

Neither of us turns immediately.

Then Aisha’s body stiffens beside mine and I know before I look.

I know it's him.

He's been showing up non-stop.

My stomach drops as I turn to confirm what I already know.