Farah walked alongside her back to the car. “Now that it is confirmed, what are you going to do?”
“Tell Phoenix.”
“You’re keeping it?”
The question startled. “Why wouldn’t I?”
“Because I know you’ve only known each other a short time and he’s a man hunted by his past.”
“Nenek knew Datuk for only a week when they decided to wed.”
“So you love him? And before you answer, think carefully, because loving a harimau comes with more responsibility than a regular relationship.”
“I know how to keep a secret.” Nadirah couldn’t help but sound indignant.
“While you’re in love, yes, I’m sure you will, but what if you don’t work out?”
Nadirah paused with her hand on the car door. “I still wouldn’t tell. I’d never want any harm to come to the harimau.”
“I believe you. The problem is, there are those who would fear you might betray us without a tie to keep you loyal.”
“Wait, are you saying they’d kill me?” At Farah’s bleak expression, Nadirah huffed, “That’s insane. Why would I blab your secret?”
“People who fall out of love, and especially those who end up succumbing to hate, often do irrational things to hurt their past partners.”
“Not me. I’m not the vindictive type. Let’s say Phoenix and I didn’t work out… I’d still have the baby. Wouldn’t that assure them of my loyalty?”
“That would depend on the child. If it’s harimau and you show a clear affection for it, then most likely they won’t doubt your commitment to our secret.”
“This is too much to take in all at once.” Nadirah groaned. “And why am I suddenly so hungry?” Her stomach growled something fierce.
Farah laughed. “You will find that pregnancy will enhance your appetite. When you’re not vomiting, that is.”
At the reminder, Nadirah grimaced. “I thought nausea disappeared after the first trimester.”
“It might. It depends on the mother and the growing child. Some manage to get past it quickly. Others have it the entire pregnancy.”
Interesting. While Nadirah knew all about the reproductive systems of tigers, she’d never paid much attention to the human version.
“Do you suppose we could get a book so I can read up on what to expect?” she asked almost shyly.
“Of course. After we feed you and the growing cub in your belly.”
A belly that remained flat, but not for long. Just look at how much she ate at the restaurant. Enough for two people. She should have been stuffed for days. Tell that to her belly, which insisted she needed the homemade cookies being sold at the bookstore—which she stuffed into her mouth like a ravenous beast.
With a book on pregnancy in hand, they then went shopping for clothes so she and Phoenix didn’t have to wear mismatched cast-offs scrounged from people in the village. Once they completed their errands, they headed to Farah’s car.
As it came in sight, Nadirah sighed, and Farah glanced at her with concern. “Everything all right?”
“I’m wondering how Phoenix will react.” Because over the course of the last few hours, she’d become certain of one thing. She was keeping the baby.
“I don’t think you have anything to worry about other than him hovering overprotectively.”
She laughed. “I can see him doing that.”
As they reached the car, a male voice stopped them.
“Excuse me, but could I have a word?”
