Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 109716 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 549(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109716 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 549(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
He stared at the picture far longer than he should have. But I didn’t complain. I just watched him watch our daughter.
Daughter. A baby girl. A smile stretched across my lips.
“Ayla, do you know when your last period was? I know it’s not easy to remember, but it would really help to know. This way I can get an exact due date,” Ivy explained.
I looked at Alessio in panic, my chest feeling suddenly tight. He held my hand, giving me an encouraging look. “I don’t really remember. But I know I had my last period before…”
My voice caught in my throat, but Ivy nodded, as if she understood. “From the measurement, I would say you are about twenty-four weeks pregnant. That’s five and a half months. You are almost six months pregnant.”
You are almost six months pregnant.
Alessio told me I was taken away eighteen weeks ago—almost four and a half months ago.
That meant…
My eyes met Alessio’s. “She is yours.”
He swallowed hard and nodded. His forehead touched mine, and he placed a kiss on the tip of my nose. “She is ours.”
I smiled, my cheeks wet from my tears. Alessio swiped them away. “No more tears, Angel.”
“They are happy tears.”
Alessio smiled. “Okay, happy tears are acceptable.”
Ivy cleared her throat, and we pulled away from each other. “The baby is healthy, and so are you. I will be checking back with you in five days. I am staying here for two more weeks, as a precaution in case you need me.”
I nodded. Alessio took some paper towels and wiped off the gel from my stomach. He pulled my dress down and eased me into a sitting position.
“Now, because of your trauma, I need you to be careful. No stress. Bed rest is important too. Eat healthy. A happy mom is a happy baby,” Ivy finished, patting me on the knee.
Alessio helped me stand up and pulled me close. “Thank you,” I said softly.
We walked out of the room, my cheeks hurting from smiling too much. Maddie and the others were waiting for us in the living room.
“So?” she asked.
Alessio and I looked at each other. He smiled before turning to face everyone.
“A princess,” he announced proudly.
Maddie squealed and pulled me into a hug.
Lena smiled sweetly and came to hug me too. “Congratulations, dear. Thank you for giving us a princess. It’s been so many years since we have had a baby in this house.”
She pulled away to give Alessio a hug too. Maddie took me in her arms again. “I’m so happy, babe.”
When she pulled away, I noticed the men arguing. Phoenix smirked at Viktor. “Give me my money.”
“Fuck you! It’s a boy, I’m telling you,” Viktor snapped. “Ayla, go back in there. Ivy is wrong. It’s a boy.”
“No, it’s a girl,” Maddie growled.
“It’s a girl,” Alessio agreed.
“Five thousand dollars, Viktor. Stop being such a pussy,” Phoenix said.
They placed a bet?
I shook my head when Viktor glared at Phoenix. Nikolay stood silently, as always, but this time he wasn’t as brooding. There was a half smile on his face.
From the corner of my eyes, I saw Isaak and Lyov come out of the gym. Lyov stopped dead in his tracks when he caught sight of me. His eyes moved to my stomach, and he moved his gaze aside.
Alessio wrapped an arm around my shoulder, pulling me into his chest. When Lyov and Isaak approached, Alessio cleared his throat.
“We are having a baby girl.”
Lyov froze, and I saw him swallow hard. There was a flash of pain in his eyes, and his face twisted in sorrow. My heart ached for him.
His hands fisted at his side, and without a word, he walked away. Alessio sighed beside me. I pulled away from Alessio and went to follow Lyov.
I couldn’t bear the thought of him being in pain. He was still hurting. His wife’s and daughter’s death still haunted him. If I could…I wanted to ease his pain.
Alessio grabbed my arm, pulling me back. “Let him be, Angel.”
“I need to do this, Alessio. Please,” I begged, my eyes following Lyov as he walked upstairs.
I pulled my arm away and gave him a small smile. “I’ll be okay.”
Giving Alessio a kiss on the lips, I followed Lyov. My steps faltered when I reached his bedroom.
When my fist made contact with the door, I trembled slightly with nervousness.
He didn’t answer. I waited and waited.
Finally, I opened the door and peeked inside. The room was dark except for a night lamp. It cast a soft glow around the room.
I walked further inside and closed the door behind me.
Lyov was sitting on the edge of the bed, a photo frame in his hand. Walking over to the bed, I sat down beside him.
There was only silence between us. Now that I was here, I wasn’t sure what to say, how to soothe his pain.