Trained For Sin

Chapter 13

"Where do you want to go next?" I asked Rose holding her hand as we walked through the mall. I wanted to spend as much time as I could with her hoping to clear my mind away from Nathan. Knowing it probably wasn't smart considering I have less than a week to kill him but right now all I wanted to think about was spending time with Rose.

"Can we go to Build-A-Bear?" Rose asked. "Only if we can go into the Disney store after." I smiled making her giggle excitedly before we walked into the store making me put her down. Knowing she just received lots of gifts from Christmas I didn't want to spoil her too much. Rose walked up to the different types of plushies before picking a light brown fuzzy bunny.

We continued to walk through the mall towards the Disney store with her hand in mine as she drank a juice box in her other. I held her Build-A-Bear Workshop box along with our other shopping bags in my free hand. "Auntie Stephanie took me to see this movie when it came out! It was so fun." Rose giggled as she held a Lion King toy.

I couldn't help but feel a sharp pain of hurt at Stephanie spending more time with her than I was able to. It pained me more than anything being away from Rose so often only able to see her on her birthday and holidays. But I knew It's what I needed to do to have the life I never had growing up. She deserved all the things I've never had, and I didn't want her to have the life I did.

Kneeling down to her level as she looked eagerly through all the toys to pick her favorite. "I promise to take you to the next Disney movie to come out." I smiled as she looked up at me with a bright smile making me kiss her forehead.

"You can't base your happiness on whether someone else is happy. Do whatever makes you happy." Valerie's familiar voice said from somewhere near by making me stand trying to find them. "I am happy, Val." Nathan's voice rung behind me making me squeeze my eyes shut. Hoping I would blend in with the crowds of other parents and laughing children.

"Obviously." Valerie replied sarcastically as I thought about why Nathan would be here with his sister. "Have you found a toy yet?" I asked Rose wanting to leave quickly until I heard them call my name. "Carmen?" Valerie asked making me widen my eyes trying to hide my worry as I turned around.

"Hey." I breathed. "What are you doing here?" I looked at the both of them through a smile. Nathan stared at me with a puzzled expression seeing right through my fake demeanor to hide my nerves. Before either of them could answer I felt Rose pulling at my jeans as she spoke. "Can I get two?" She whined up at me making me frown looking away from them.

"I told you one. Santa just gave you lots of toys." I replied making her furrow her eyebrows in annoyance. Crossing her arms in protest. "But I can't choose." Rose whined. "I've already thought of their names." She continued. Rose held two stuffed animals one under her arm and the other in her free hand to show me. I looked up at them clearing my throat.

"This is Rose." I smiled as I placed my hand on her dark brown hair. Valerie smiled brightly down at her making Rose smile back weakly showing off her dimples. "Hi, Rose! I'm Valerie." She smiled bending down slightly. I looked up at Nathan to see him trying to figure out what was going on before looking down at Rose again as she spoke.

"Is she your niece?" Valerie asked making me part my lips to explain. "Who are these people, mommy?" She asked looking up at me. Rose was nervous around them as she looked up at him shyly. I filled with worry but pushed it aside not wanting to upset Rose. Valerie hid her shock well a soft smile as I held Rose's hand. "This is Mr. Vanderbilt and his sister, Valerie." I explained making her smile knowing Rose felt intimidated.

"Do I still have to put one back?" Rose asked. "No, honey that's fine." I answered making her smile brightly again before Nathan finally spoke taking me by surprise. "You have a kid?" Nathan asked making Valerie glair at him smacking his shoulder lightly.