Page 86 of The Devil's Heir

Jarek's beginning to spiral—I think he's panicking.

"Calm down, Jarek…breathe. It's going to be okay. We don't even know the results yet," I state, but I already know what the test will say.

Jarek is always put together, so seeing him this way worries me. He was so adamant about me having his baby. Is he not ready? I hope that isn't the case because I will be shocked if the doctor comes back in here and tells us that I'm not pregnant.

Jarek starts taking deep breaths, inhaling and exhaling. He repeats it until he's finally back to normal. I'm holding his hand with both of mine, adding more reassurance. We're in this together—it's what he wanted. I'm sure it's too late to turn back.

The door opens, and Dr. Owens walks in, smiling. He sits on the corner of his desk and opens a file. After a few seconds, he closes it again and smiles at the two of us.

"Congratulations, you're going to be parents," he says in a chipper voice.

Thinking you may be pregnant and hearing that you actually are pregnant are not the same thing. I bring my hand to my stomach and look over at Jarek. He's already looking at my stomach as if looking for evidence. He then runs his hand over his mouth and leans back in his chair before meeting my eyes.

"Jarek…" I say his name softly, almost too softly.

A sense of fear rolls through me momentarily at the thought of growing a human being inside me when, just a few short months ago, I was living on the streets. Jarek squeezes my hand this time

Putting himself back together long before I do, he asks, "So, what's next, Blake?"

"Well, Lily will come see me once a month until the last trimester when she'll come more often. I want to see her at twelve weeks for an ultrasound, so in six weeks, you will return for that—"

"Wait! So she's already six weeks pregnant?" Jarek asks.

The doctor nods and replies, "Give or take, yes. I'll also be putting Lily on some prenatal vitamins. Other than that, there isn't much to it. It's a waiting game now."

Jarek sighs heavily and stands. Shaking the doctor's hand, he then turns to me. "Are you ready? Do you have any questions before we leave?"

I barely realize I'm shaking my head as I give Jarek my hand to help me stand. He doesn't let it go while walking to the door to leave, but when we get there, I finally find my voice and turn back to Dr. Owens.

"Thank you," I say so softly. I'm not sure he hears it until he smiles warmly and nods his head at me.

I had a strong feeling that I was pregnant already, so why it's coming as a shock now that it's confirmed, I haven't the slightest idea. Much of it may have to do with the reality of my situation. Before, it was just me, and I could leave if I wanted to, but now… there's no turning back. I have Jarek's child growing inside of me.

I'm having my bully's baby—the devil's heir.

I hadremained silent the whole ride back to the estate. If Jarek tried talking to me, I hadn't heard him. I stared out the window at the scenery during the drive back. I do remember his hand holding mine the entire time, but that was the extent of my awareness. I'm not mad at him, after all, I knew this was the end game, but I can feel a slight animosity toward him at the moment.

When we get back home, I faintly hear Jarek giving the driver orders and then he's taking me into the mansion. Once we're secured inside, he turns to me, cups my face, and makes me look into his dark eyes.

"Are you okay, pauper?"

There's that stupid nickname for me. Not Lily or Liliana, but the one name that's a reminder of where I came from and who I really am to him. He can say all the sweet words he wants to me, but in the end, that name tells me how he really sees me.

I give him a simple nod.

The concern on his face looks authentic, but I've been fooled before by him. I won't allow myself to be fooled again.

"Come to my office with me. We have something to discuss." Jarek drops his hands from my face and again takes my hand, pulling me with him.

Once we're inside his office, he drops my hand and circles his desk, opening a drawer and pulling out a file. He opens the file, pulls out a contract—our contract—and drops it on top of his desk.

"Rip it up," Jarek orders.

This finally gets my full attention, but I just stare at him as if he's lost his mind.

"I already told you to forget about the contract. Now, I want you to get rid of it for good."

"No."