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I shook my head, struggling to draw in life-giving breath.

“We-uh-we weren’t planning on conceiving,” Laya stammered, her face growing pale.

“Oh, you were using birth control?” the doctor pressed further, his curiosity unwavering. “May I ask what method?”

I almost laughed out loud. The absurdity of it all overwhelmed me. We had never once discussed any plan or precaution regarding birth control. My mind spun, realizing we resembled a couple of reckless, passionate teenagers, indulging in wild abandon as if invincible and untouchable.

I shook my head slowly. “We weren’t trying to avoid it, any more than we were trying to make it happen.”

“I see,” he replied with a knowing nod. “Now that you know, I’ll schedule an appointment with our best obstetrician immediately. Rest assured, everything appears very healthy so far—the baby is unharmed.”

“Thank you.” The relief and wonder on her face were beyond beautiful.

As the doctor departed, I recalled the nurse’s remark about his ironic luck—a bearer of fortuitous tidings amidst despair.

When my gaze met Laya’s, an unspoken connection sparked a wave of unexpected joy within me.

“Are we really going to have a baby?” I breathed, my thoughts swirling with a mix of disbelief and affection.

“I suppose we are,” she breathed, tears of fear and elation welling in her eyes. “How do you feel about it?”

“How do I feel?” I echoed, my heart overflowing with both fierce love and spine-tingling terror.

The idea of having a tiny being to nurture and protect with every ounce of passion alongside my beautiful wife terrified and thrilled me beyond measure.

“I’m utterly shocked but overjoyed,” I confessed, a bittersweet smile tugging at my lips.

“Me too,” she sobbed, her tears mapping the story of our lives on her cheeks.

“Why are you so shocked by this? I’m not.” Cali threw her hands up in the air, her exasperation comical. “It’s like living with rabbits that mate day and night. I'm amazed it took this long for it to happen.”

I shrugged my shoulders, glancing in Laya’s direction, and smirked. “She’s not wrong.”

The door swung open at that moment, and the mood immediately shifted. Avra and Vik rushed into the room, worry etched on their faces. They suddenly stopped as they took in the scene of our happiness.

“I’m all right!” Laya declared briskly, a spark of reassurance. “And I’m pregnant!”

Avra’s eyes lit up with delight while Vik’s jaw dropped.

Avra rushed forward and hugged Laya, conveying volumes of sisterly love and shared happiness.

As I watched them revel in the joy of our discovery, a deep happiness surged through me, a feeling I hadn’t experienced since Mama and Cora passed away. We hadn’t expected our family to expand so quickly. Yet, in that electrifying moment, I vowed to dedicate my life to protecting everyone we loved—Laya, our unborn child, and all those who were part of our unconventional world.

In the embrace of shadow and passion, I’d found my sanctuary. This was no ordinary love—our union was forged in darkness and tempered by desire. As the night deepened, I resolved to be the steadfast guardian of our fierce and tempestuous bond. This love illuminated even the bleakest corners of our twisted, beautiful existence.

Are you ready to see Calista regain her strength and meet the man who heals her heart as he seeks vengeance against those who have hurt her?