The Billionaire's Insignificant Wife novel Chapter 31

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A Child’s Promise

Alina and Junior sat in each other’s embrace for a few moments–silent, just feeling each other’s presence. Then Junior pulled back slightly. Looking at Alina with an expression too serious for a six–year–old.

“Mama,” he said softly. “Junior promises to be a good child.”

Alina frowned, stroking Junior’s wet cheeks. “Junior is already a good child, sweetheart.”

“No.” Junior shook his head. “Junior promises to be a better child. Won’t make trouble. Won’t make Papa punish Mama again.” Those words made Alina fall silent.

Punished.

Junior knew. Somehow, that small child already understood.

“Junior, sweetheart-” Alina tried to speak but Junior continued.

“Last night Junior obeyed,” Junior said in a voice trying to sound strong but still trembling slightly. “Junior stopped crying like Papa wanted. Junior didn’t whine. Junior even played with Mama Rissa even though… even though Junior didn’t want to.”

Alina felt something break in her chest.

“And this morning Papa let Junior see Mama,” Junior continued, looking at Alina with eyes somehow wise beyond his years. “So Junior thought… if Junior is a good child, if Junior listens to Papa, if Junior plays with Mama Rissa–Papa won’t separate Junior from Mama again.”

Alina’s tears fell again. Harder.

Junior raised his small hand–awkward, hesitant–wiping the tears on Alina’s cheek like Alina often did for him.

“So Junior will do that,” Junior said with heartbreaking conviction. “Junior will go to school with Mama Rissa. Come home with Mama Rissa. Junior will play with her. Won’t cry. Won’t argue. As long as Papa doesn’t take Mama from Junior.”

Alina couldn’t speak. Just looked at the small child in front of her who had been forced to grow up too fast.

“Junior…” Her voice broke. “Forgive Mama. Forgive Mama who can’t protect you. Who can’t-

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“It’s not Mama’s fault.” Junior cut in. Firm. “Papa said Junior must be a strong child. Because Junior is a Blackwood.”

That name felt like a curse on the small child’s lips.

“So Junior will be a strong child,” Junior continued. His small eyes looking at Alina with piercing determination. “Junior will grow strong. Will get big. And when Junior is big and strong–Junior will protect Mama. No one will be able to separate us

anymore.”

Alina’s crying broke–loud, violent.

She pulled Junior into an embrace, hugging tight until that small body almost disappeared in her hold.

“Junior, sweetheart… you don’t have to–you’re still a small child–you don’t have to think about things like this-”

But Junior hugged back. Tight. With surprising strength for such a small body.

“Mama don’t cry,” he whispered. Voice trembling but trying to be strong. “From today Mama can’t cry. Because Junior won’t cry either. Junior will just grow to be a good and strong child.”

Junior pulled back, looking at Alina’s face with an expression too mature.

“And Mama,” he said softly, “Junior is sorry if Junior will spend more time with Mama Rissa. Because that’s what Papa wants.

A Child’s Promise

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But-” His voice cracked slightly. “But it’s not because Junior loves her.”

His small hand reached for Alina’s hand, holding tight.

“Junior will only be with her so Papa won’t separate us again. But Junior only loves Mama. Only Mama Alina. Junior’s Mama.” Tears flowed down Junior’s cheeks now–slow, silent.

“Junior won’t let them separate us. Junior promises.”

Alina couldn’t hold back anymore. She cried–loud, broken–hugging Junior desperately.

This small child. Her small child.

Forced to think like an adult. Forced to strategize survival. Forced to play manipulation games that even adults struggled to navigate.

At six years old.

“Junior, listen to Mama,” Alina finally said, pulling back enough to look into the child’s eyes. Her hands held his small face gently. “Mama also has a promise for Junior.”

Junior looked with wide, attentive eyes.

“Mama won’t give up,” Alina said. Her voice still trembled but there was something in it now. Something hard. Determined. ” Whatever happens, Mama promises to always be there for Junior. Always.”

“Really?” Junior asked with teary eyes. But not crying.

“Yes,” Alina answered firmly. Without the slightest doubt. “Mama will find a way so we can be together again. Like before. Without limits. Without restrictions. Without having to hide or be afraid.”

Junior looked at her with an expression that was a mixture of hope and doubt.

“Really?” he whispered. “Mama promises?”

“Mama promises.”

Alina hugged Junior again–tighter this time.

And in her heart, in the deepest part of herself, Alina swore.

She would find a way. Somehow. By whatever means.

She would gain freedom. For herself. For Junior.

No matter how long. No matter what price she had to pay.

She wouldn’t let Daniel–or Margaret, or Clarissa, or anyone–continue to control her life like this.

Wouldn’t let them destroy the small child now in her embrace.

The child forced to grow up too fast. Forced to learn survival at an age that should only be filled with laughter and innocence.

“Mama loves Junior,” Alina whispered in the child’s ear. “Very, very much. And Mama will fight for us. Mama promises.”

Junior nodded against her shoulder. “Junior loves Mama too. And Junior will be strong. So Junior can help Mama.”

They sat like that–holding each other–until the morning light became brighter.

Until they heard sounds outside–Mrs. Helen preparing breakfast, staff footsteps beginning morning activities.

Reality slowly intruding on the small bubble they created.

A Child’s Promise

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“Junior has to get ready for school,” Alina finally said, though each word felt heavy.

Junior nodded. But his hand still held Alina. Didn’t want to let go.

“Mama will be here when Junior comes home,” Alina said gently. “Mama promises. Every afternoon. Mama will wait for Junior.

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“Really?”

“Really.”

Junior finally released the embrace–reluctant, slow.

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