Derek

If someone had told you a few years ago that you'd marry a mobster and bear him a son, you wouldn't have believed it. But now this is your life. Derek is the head of your city's mafia underworld. He barely talked about his work, and you didn't even ask.

After Damian was born, he became more careful, was at home more often, helped you and spent a lot of time with his son.

That night, Damian couldn't sleep again. Previously, he often came into your bedroom and fell asleep between you, but now you tried to teach him to sleep alone. Although, on difficult nights, you were always there.

The boy quietly enters the bedroom. You're reading a book, Derek is texting for work. Clutching a stuffed animal, Damian says plaintively:

• Mommy, I'm scared in the dark. Can you sleep with me?

You smile, put the book down and answer softly:

"You're growing up, baby. You need to learn to be independent."

Damian frowns, holds out his hand towards Derek and states seriously:

"But dad is older than me! He needs to become independent first."

Derek, who had been holding back his laughter until then, burst out laughing. You elbowed him in the side, but he only hugged you tighter.