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“How does it look?”

“I got Gordon the best legal team money can buy.” His grip on my hand tightened as if to reassure me. “Since he cooperated to stage my death and then fully cooperated with the investigation, helping the FBI bag executives of three international corporations, his sentence should be light. He’ll likely be out on parole in a year or two.”

“And it was so good of you to take care of Gordon’s wife and daughter too, Ethan.”

Ethan visibly tensed up, his jaw clenching. “It was the least I could do,” he replied quietly, his voice strained. “His little girl was kidnapped because of me, Chloe. I don’t know how I could ever make up for that.”

Guilt darkened his eyes, and I rubbed his back in comfort. We’d had this conversation before, and I knew nothing I said would ease his conscience.

“You’re taking care of them now. That has to count for something.”

He sighed, the tension in his body easing slightly as he pulled me close again. “You always know the right thing to say, don’t you?”

I smiled, a flicker of nerves stirring my stomach. I hoped my surprise would lift his mood, though the timing wasn’t ideal. I wanted him to relax and be at ease when I gave him the news I’d been holding onto.

“Hey, what do you want to do tomorrow?” I asked, trying to bring back the lightness in our conversation.

Ethan glanced at me with a mischievous grin. “I don’t know, let’s have another wedding,” he suggested playfully.

I laughed, shaking my head. “Honestly, Ethan, I’ve lost count of how many weddings we’ve already had.”

He smirked and pulled me closer, his hand finding its way to my butt and giving it a gentle squeeze. “It’s not the weddings I’m after, Chloe. It’s the wedding nights.”

I blushed at his words, secretly loving the way he always managed to make me feel desired. With Ethan, every night felt like a wedding night—passionate, intense, and filled with love. But it looked like our intimate excess had caught up to us.

Taking a deep breath, I mustered up the courage to share the news that had been weighing on my mind. I was sure Ethan would take it well, but a small part of me couldn’t help but worry about the timing. The ongoing investigation and business matters were already taking up so much of his attention; maybe it was too soon for him to handle this additional responsibility.

“So…” I began, licking my lips. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you.”

His eyes softened as he searched mine, concern etched onto his features. “What is it, Chloe?”

“Ever since our time at your underground bunker near Pinegrove, I… I haven’t had my period.” I paused, swallowing hard before continuing. “I went to the doctor yesterday, and it seems that we’re… expecting.”

Silence. Ethan stared at me, unblinking, and for a terrifying moment I worried how he might react. Then a slow, enormous grin spread across his face, lighting up his eyes and making him look like a complete idiot—but the most lovable idiot I’d ever seen.

Relief and joy washed over me in a warm wave.

Everything was going to be alright.

…