Stealing a bashful glance at Ben, he stares at me openly with a flat expression, not helping at all with everything I’ve said, with making his father buy into this whole charade.
“I didn’t…know how to tell you, Ben. I’m not sure…”
His brows clip together. “What’s wrong?”
His question actually sounds concerned when he asks, fueling the horrific thing I’m about to do for him.
Something he doesn’t deserve.
“I…” I press my lips together as if the words are too hard to get out.
They are.
I’m about to lie for this man. A man who forced me into this. A man who doesn’t care. A man who’s going to use me for his heir.
“I don’t know for sure, but you know how I haven’t been feeling well?” Ben immediately nods. “I think I might be pregnant.”
7
Benedikt
Her words land like a live grenade in the middle of the table.
For a second, I don’t move. Don’t blink. Don’t even breathe. I just watch her, the way her fingers curl against the linen, the way her lashes lower like she’s suddenly shy. It’s a good act. Almost too good.
But it’s not one we discussed.
My father’s gaze snaps to me out of my peripheral. He’s not the kind of man you can bluff easily. He’s looking for cracks in me, in her, in whatever the hell we’re supposed to be selling him.
She caught on.
Fast.
Ivan isn’t throwing his bets on our arrangement, and she just handed him the one thing he’s always wanted.
An heir to continue his legacy.
Something my brother can’t give him.
Reaching for her hand, I give it a small squeeze because she doesn’t know all of what she just did.
We haven’t even slept together. Not once. And unless immaculate conception is suddenly a thing, this is bullshit. The kind that could set my plans on fire if I don’t handle it right.
“You didn’t think to tell me first?”
My tone is low, even, and controlled. The kind that makes people lean in to hear more because I’m not outright with what’s in my head, but always making people second-guess.
I would jump for joy with something like this.
I know that.
My father knows that.
She shakes her head. “I didn’t know how.”
Translation:I didn’t plan to. I’m making this up as I go.
I raise her hand to my lips and press a soft kiss to the top. “We’ll go to the doctor’s first thing in the morning, princess. I want to be sure so we can take all the precautions to make sure you’re well taken care of.”
