That makes my chest tighten again because I already miss him.
I unmute the call, forcing my voice to stay calm. “Okay,” I say softly. “Do you think you could come here? Dad will be here.”
There’s an instant lift in her tone, like she’s won. Like the pressure worked. “Oh, Lily,” she gushes, “thank you. Thank you. I’ll only be quick, I promise. I just… I needed to see you. I’ve missed you so much.”
I close my eyes, swallowing.
“I’ll behave around your father. He doesn’t hate me as much as he lets on.”
I bite my tongue. He does. He really does.
“Okay,” I whisper. “I’ll see you soon. I’ll text you the address. It’s… uh. A gated place with high security, so you’ll have to meet at the location, and Dad will escort you here.”
“Is everything okay?” She asks, the concern in her voice is evident.
“Yes. I’m just with Dad, you know how he is.”
She sighs. “Yes. That’s exactly why we left.”
“I’ll be there in an hour,” she says.
“Bye, Mom,” I say and cut the call.
The words should feel comforting; instead, they feel like a hook. The moment the phone goes dark, the weight returns.
The reality of today.
Drago’s gaze stays locked on me, unblinking, like he can already see the fear swelling beneath my skin again.
“Tell me what’s going on in that pretty head of yours, baby,” he murmurs. “Please let me in.”
“I-it’s nothing.” I force a small smile that doesn’t quite stick. “I’m fine. Today is just… a lot.”
He doesn’t argue. He never pushes when I’m fraying. Instead, he leans in and kisses me. When he pulls back, it’s just enough for his lips to brush mine.
“Remember what we’re fighting for. Our future is right there. Picture the beach in Monaco. You and me. Ice cream melting down our fingers because we forgot the world existed,” he whispers.
That does it.
Tears slide down my cheek, uninvited, unstoppable. My hand drifts to my stomach instinctively, my head filling with the what-ifs I’ve been trying to outrun all morning.
He needs to know. I can’t let him walk out of this door without knowing.
“I think…” My voice shakes. I swallow hard. “I think I might be pregnant, Drago.”
The world stops.
He pulls back, his breath hitching sharply as his eyes search my face like he’s afraid I’ll disappear if he blinks. “Lily…”
Panic crashes into me instantly.
God, I shouldn’t have said anything. Not today. Not when he needs to keep his head clear. Not when all I want is for him to come back alive.
My hand flies to my mouth as a sob breaks free. “F-forget I said anything. Please. I didn’t mean to?—”
He catches my wrist gently and pulls my hand away, framing my face with both of his, forcing me to look at him. “How could Iforget,” he murmurs, his voice thick, “the moment all my dreams just walked straight into my arms, lastochka?”
My breath stutters.
