Page 68 of Forbidden Boss

He shakes his head. “Sorry, I can’t. I have strict orders not to leave your side.”

I glare weakly at him. “I’m not being examined with you in the room.”

“Then I’ll stand behind the curtain,” he says, completely unbothered. “But I’m not leaving.”

“You’re unbelievable,” I mutter.

“I’ve been called worse,” he says, smirking as he moves to the corner.

The doctor watches our interaction warily but goes about her work, checking my vitals and inspecting the bruises on my arm and shoulder. She keeps her voice gentle and professional, but I can tell she’s seen worse. When I tell her I’m pregnant, she smiles knowingly.

“They baby’s okay,” I whisper. “Right?”

“We’ll have the ultrasound tech come in and check,” she says, her voice sympathetic.

The tears come before I can stop them. I press my hand against my stomach, still flat but now so fragile it feels sacred.

The doctor squeezes my shoulder. “No matter what happens, you’re alive, Mari. And that’s worth a lot.”

A few minutes later, the tech comes in and runs the ultrasound. She easily finds the heartbeat and tells me the baby looks great. It’s strong and completely unbothered by any of the stress my body went through tonight.

Yuri awkwardly holds up his phone, asking a question with his eyes.

“Since Lev isn’t here,” he says, “and your phone is God knows where.”

I nod and let him take a photo of the ultrasound, relief washing through me as I look at my baby.

When the tech leaves, I look over at Yuri and laugh weakly.

“Lev’s going to be jealous that you were here and he wasn’t,” I tell him.

Yuri smirks in response, just as the door opens again. I don’t need to look to know it’s him. I feel him before I see him, like a magnetic pull. When I do meet his eyes, I start crying again, so relieved that he’s alive and that he’s finally, finally here with me.

He’s changed clothes, I notice. He’s wearing dark slacks now, a simple black shirt. His hair is damp, like he just showered. I’m struck again by what happened.

Yuri stands. “I’ll go check with the nurse.”

“Yuri,” Lev says, voice low but steady.

“She’s fine,” Yuri answers, already heading for the door. “Don’t shoot anyone.”

Lev waits until the door closes before crossing to me. He moves more slowly than usual, like he’s trying to hold himself together. I reach out and take his hand. It’s warm. His fingers curl around mine instantly, and that’s when I see the small cuts on his knuckles. He notices me looking and hides his hand behind his back, but it’s too late. I know what he’s done.

“Are you hurt?” he asks quietly, sitting on the edge of the bed.

“I’m fine,” I answer honestly. I’m in some pain, sure, but I don’t want him going after the hospital staff.

His brow furrows. “What did the doctor say?”

“She said the same thing I’m saying,” I tell him gently. “I’m fine, Lev. We’re fine.”

His hand goes to my stomach without hesitation. His touch is cautious, reverent.

“The baby?”

“Perfect,” I whisper. “Yuri has a photo.”

His jaw tightens. “Yuri saw my child before I did?”