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She sits up, running a hand through her hair before reaching for the tea. “Do you cook often, or is this just to impress me?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” I tease, settling on the edge of the bed, watching as she takes a sip. After a moment, I ask, “Do you have morning sickness?”
She exhales, shaking her head. “It got bad in the second trimester, but I’m okay now.”
I watch her closely. “I wish I was here to help you out.”
She stills for a fraction of a second, then sets the tea down carefully. “But would you prefer a life with me here, leaving your empire behind?”
Silence stretches between us.
Because the answer isn’t simple.
I know what she’s asking. If I had found her earlier, if I had a choice—would I have walked away from everything? From the Bratva, from my family, from the war I was raised for?
I don’t answer. Because I don’t know.
And Lila sees right through it.
“Thought so,” she murmurs, looking away.
I don’t like that look on her face—the resignation, the quiet disappointment, like she already knew what I’d say before I even had a chance to say it.
I clear my throat, nodding toward the tray. “Eat.”
She does, taking small bites, and I know the second she realizes—this isn’t just any breakfast. This is exactly what she likes.
She sets down her fork, eyeing me carefully. “How did you know?”
I lean back slightly, resting my forearm on my knee. “I knew everything about you before I found you,” I admit. “Before you even knew my name.”
She freezes, her fingers tightening around the fork. “What do you mean?”
I tilt my head slightly. “Your father brought your proposal to me.”
Lila’s breath catches, and I can see the questions racing through her mind.
I exhale, looking past her for a moment before bringing my gaze back to hers. “It was over a year ago. Your father was looking for an alliance. He came to me with a proposition—marry his daughter, unite our families, strengthen our power.”
She stiffens, her expression unreadable.
“I wasn’t interested at first,” I continue, watching her carefully. “I didn’t trust him. But then he sent me a picture of you.”
Lila swallows hard.
“And suddenly,” I murmur, “I was interested.”
She looks away, shaking her head. “So that’s it? You saw a picture and decided I was yours?”
I lean forward, brushing my fingers along her jaw, forcing her to meet my gaze. “No,kiska. I saw you, and I knew I would have you.”
She shivers slightly, but not from fear.
I smirk. “And now, here you are.”
Her lips press together. “Not by choice.”
I trail my fingers down her neck, resting them lightly over the curve of her belly. “No?”