Page 30 of Sexted By a Stranger

Sheila

I struggled to open my eyes.

Soft light filtered from above, my vision blurred for a long moment before slowly coming into focus.

The sharp scent of disinfectant hit me immediately. I was lying on a soft mattress, bone-deep exhaustion seeping from every pore.

This was the medical wing of Luca's estate.

How fitting. Two months ago, it was Luca lying here.

"Sheila? Thank God! You're awake. How do you feel?" Mom's tear-stained face was the first thing I saw as she leaned over me anxiously, her warm hand touching my forehead.

"Water…"

"Water! Quick, water!" Mom fumbled for the cup and straw on the nightstand.

As she turned away, my gaze drifted past her to the other side of the bed.

He was there.

Luca Bellomo.

The man who controlled everything, who could break opponents at negotiation tables without batting an eye—the mafia don looked nothing like I'd ever seen him before.

His suit jacket was draped carelessly over the chair back, his shirt wrinkled beyond recognition. Sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing strong forearms. Dark stubble covered his jaw, his black hair disheveled, damp strands clinging to his forehead.

Those eyes that were always so sharp and penetrating were now bloodshot, with heavy dark circles underneath them.

He stared straight at me, his gaze filled with bone-deep exhaustion, lingering fear, and a regret so profound it threatened to drown us both.

He sat hunched in the bedside chair, his tall frame curled over. His hands clasped mine where they lay on top of the blanket.

"Sheila…" he whispered hoarsely.

Mom carefully brought the straw to my lips, cool water soothing my parched throat. I drank greedily but couldn't tear my eyes away from Luca.

"Slow down, sweetheart." Mom glanced at him and added softly, "Luca's been watching over you all night. We couldn't get him to leave."

All night? My heart sank. My gaze instinctively swept over his body, finally settling on his left shoulder.

"Your wound—" I tried to pull my hand back.

He gripped it tighter, shaking his head. "I'm fine."

His eyes remained locked on my face, his Adam's apple bobbing as he struggled to contain his emotions.

"How—" his voice was rough, "how do you feel? Is there anywhere that hurts particularly badly?"

"I'm okay," I managed a weak smile to reassure him, though exhaustion made it pale. "Just… no energy. Are you hurt anywhere else?"

Fragments of memory from before I lost consciousness flooded back—ballroom lights, cold gun barrels, deafening gunshots.

The hand he held tightened involuntarily.

His knuckles immediately tensed, veins standing out on the back of his hand.

"Sheila." his voice trembled. "I almost-"

The rest was swallowed by a sob.

Luca bowed his head, pressing his forehead against our joined hands. Scalding tears dropped onto my hand, making me flinch.

I froze—Luca Bellomo was crying.

"Luca." I lifted my other hand to the back of his neck. "Stop. This wasn't on you. I'm the one who panicked."

He finally looked up.

Tear tracks crossed that handsome but exhausted face. He looked at me, vulnerable as a lost child.

Meeting his gaze, my own tears finally spilled over.

"I was going to..." I swallowed hard. "Your birthday. I wanted to tell you then. Wanted it to be special."

"Surprise," he repeated in a whisper. "And I let you—let our baby—" He choked up again, pressing kiss after kiss to the back of my hand.

"No." I squeezed his burning hand. "This was me. I shouldn't have doubted you. Shouldn't have thought about running. God, Luca, I should have known you'd keep us safe." I struggled to see his face clearly. "I was just... terrified. That the darkness you live with might claim our child too."

"I get it." He wiped the tears from my cheeks. "I didn't make you feel secure enough. Didn't tell you sooner—you and this baby are my whole world. No matter how deep the shadows get, I'll always be the wall between you and the dark."

His words were absolute, like sunlight cutting through the darkness in my heart.

A gentle knock came at the door.

Lennox entered, clearly relieved to see me awake, then respectfully murmured to Luca, "Boss, Williams and the OB are waiting outside. They need to do another thorough examination."

Luca nodded but showed no sign of releasing my hand.

Williams entered with his team, wheeling in several machines. Mom quickly dried her tears, standing aside nervously. Luca shifted slightly but kept his eyes glued to the doctor's every movement.

Williams asked about how I felt. Each beep from the machines made him frown and tighten his grip on my hand.

When the examination finished, Williams turned to Luca. "Her vital signs are stable. The unconsciousness was caused by shock, low blood sugar, and physical exhaustion. The fetus is currently stable."

Luca's tense shoulders relaxed slightly.

"But this experience was a massive shock to both mother and child. She needs complete bed rest, avoiding any emotional stress or strenuous activity. We'll monitor closely. Nutrition also needs special attention—Ethan will handle that, he's the specialist."

"You hear that, stellina?" Luca snapped his gaze toward me, his voice low and deadly. "Follow the doctor's orders to the letter. From this second on, you stay down. Don't think, don't move. If the sky falls—" A muscle jumped in his jaw. "I'm holding it up."

That natural "stellina" made my cheeks burn, and warmth spread through my chest. I nodded, whispering, "Okay, I understand."

Williams gave more instructions, had Ethan prescribe nutritional supplements and medications to prevent miscarriage, and then left. Mom followed to ask about dietary arrangements.

Luca's hand moved with infinite gentleness and care to cover my belly.

"Really? We're having a baby?" He spoke like he was confirming a dream.

I covered the back of his hand where it rested on my stomach.

"Yes," I nodded firmly, tears blurring my vision as I tried to smile. "Our baby."

"Stellina." He leaned down, pressing his forehead gently against mine, warm breath brushing my cheek. We were so close that our noses almost touched.

"Sheila." He suddenly straightened, his tone exceptionally solemn.

The next second, he released the hand he'd been gripping tightly. Under my stunned gaze, his tall frame slowly sank to one knee beside the hospital bed.

He looked up, his deep eyes holding rock-solid determination and overwhelming devotion, that burning gaze locking onto mine.

"Marry me."

The room fell silent except for my thundering heartbeat.

"I swear on my life as Luca Bellomo," each word carried the weight of mountains, hammering into my heart, "there will never be a next time.

Never again will I let you face such danger, never again will you and our child endure even a moment of fear.

I'll use my soul, everything I possess, to build the strongest fortress to protect you both.

Until my breath stops and my heart goes silent. "

"So, Sheila, marry me. Let me rightfully protect you, protect our child, protect this family.

" He reached out with unshakeable determination and careful reverence, once again taking my hand from where it lay on the blanket.

His palm was burning hot, calloused, conveying all of his heartbeat and strength in this moment.

"Yes."

No hesitation.

The instant he heard that "yes," the tension in Luca's eyes was instantly replaced by overwhelming joy, his tightly pressed lips unable to suppress their upward curve.

"You just made me the luckiest man in the world," he responded firmly, then leaned down to press a reverent kiss to the back of my hand, followed by a deep, tender kiss on my forehead.