Page 21 of King of Shadows

I look at him. I wish I could believe that. Because everything changes. My life changes. Getting pregnant wasn’t on my bingo card this year. I walk into the bathroom with the tests clutched in my hand, and Kazimir follows.

I turn around. “A little privacy, please?”

He steps back. “I’ll be right here.” He steps outside and pulls the door shut.

For several seconds, I don’t move. I just stand there, staring at the door while my heart pounds. Eventually, I force myself to breathe, and tear open the first test. Then the second. My hands are still shaking as I do what I need to do, then set both tests down on the sink.

I look up at the ceiling. What is my life going to look like if I’m pregnant? Am I ready for a baby? Can I take care of one right now? I’ve always wanted to be a mother. I never had a mother who was truly there for me, and I’ve always imagined being different with my own children.

I want to be present. I want my children to know they are loved. I want to be the kind of mother I needed growing up. But I never thought it would happen this soon.

I love Kazimir. And if I were ever going to have a baby with someone, I’d want it to be his. But does he feel the same way? He says nothing changes. Men say that all the time. Then reality sets in. And suddenly, they’re gone. But Kazimir isn’t like other men. Countless times he has proved that he’s different.

A knock sounds against the bathroom door. “Chloe? You’ve been in there for a while. Are you alright?”

I don’t answer.

“I’m coming in.” The bathroom door opens and he steps inside. His eyes immediately find me sitting on the closed toilet seat. “Hey, what is the result?”

“I can’t check it.”

His expression softens, as he picks up the two tests. For a moment, he says nothing. And something shifts in his expression.

“We’re having a baby.”

I stare at him. We’re. Not you’re pregnant. We’re. He says it like we’re already a family. My eyes drop to the test in his hand. I reach for it. Two pink lines. I’m pregnant.

Kazimir

We are having a baby. The thought barely feels real. I look at Chloe, then at the two lines on the test in her hand, and something inside my chest shifts. My child. She’s carrying my child.

For the past week, I’ve been preparing for the possibility that things between us are about to change. Ever since I found out that Vadim knows about her, I’ve been working on getting her somewhere safer. And there is only one way I can guarantee her safety. Marriage.

I’ve wanted to marry her since the first day I met her. I already have the ring. I’ve had it for weeks. But I haven’t given it to her because I don’t want to scare her away. I don’t want her to think I’m moving too fast.

Tonight, I was supposed to take her to dinner and finally tell her the truth. Tell her who I am. Tell her what I’ve been planning, and ask her to become my wife. And now that I know she’s pregnant, it changes everything.

I look at her again, she looks terrified. I immediately pull her into my arms. “Everything is going to be fine.”

She looks up at me, almost in disbelief. “Really? How?” Her voice trembles. “I’m pregnant, Kazimir. This wasn’t exactly on my bingo card for this year.”

The realization hits me that she might not want this. “Do you want the baby?”

She stares at me like I’ve lost my mind. “Of course I want to keep it. Why would you even ask me that?”

I open my mouth, but she keeps going. “Do you not want it?”

“Chloe—”

“Oh, of course you don’t.” Her breathing quickens. “A minute ago, you were telling me nothing changes. Now that it’s actually confirmed, you’re asking me if I want to keep it. Newsflash, Kazimir. I’m not aborting this baby. I’m having this child. If you’re not on board, then there’s the door.”

She points toward it. “You can use it. ”

“Are you done?”

She blinks, her chest rising and falling rapidly. “What?”

“Are you done?”