Page 70 of The Pakhan's Arranged Bride

When she leans away from me and uses her sleeve to wipe her tears, I say gently, “If I’ve done something—tell me. We can work through it.”

She shakes her head. “You didn’t do anything. It’s—" Her works cut off, her throat closing around them. She’s fighting tears again, but this time she manages to stop them.

My jaw is clamped tightly shut.Don’t say anything. Give her a moment.

My eyes are locked onto her face, studying every piece of it, desperate to know what she’s thinking.

She looks up at me.

Bright, shining hazel eyes, wide and fearful.

My heart races.

“I’m pregnant, Benedikt,” she whispers.

My racing heart stalls, missing a beat, my chest goes tight. My brows rise in shock and I take in a sharp breath.

“Pregnant?” I repeat in disbelief.

She nods. “I found out this morning. Belle took me to the doctor because I wasn’t feeling well.”

She went to my sister for help, instead of me. I want her to feel safe coming to me.

Pregnant. I’m going to be a father?

I never planned for this. This wasn’t in the cards.

My mind is racing, trying to fit several different puzzles together.

I close my eyes and take a slow breath. When I open them again, Ulyana is staring at me, worried, waiting for my reaction. I haven’t even said anything.

I need to respond.

My eyes narrow as I look at her beautiful face.

She’s the strongest woman I’ve ever met.

She’s feisty and smart. Sassy and brilliant. She doesn’t even let me tell her what to do. She’s incredible.

And she’s more beautiful than words can describe.

A smile breaks out over my face.

I grab her hand in mine and I can’t stop grinning.

“We’re having a baby?” I say, laughing, still flooded with shock, but realizing now that I am going to have a baby with such an incredible woman.

I couldn’t be happier.

My heir will have the strongest mother, and the strongest father.

“You’re happy?” she asks cautiously.

“Are you kidding? I’m more than happy. This is amazing news.” I pull her into a hug again, this time one of celebration. She still seems confused, unsure.

“Ulyana, aren’t you happy?” I ask.

“We didn’t plan this. I didn’t especially want to be a mother—not yet anyway.” She bites her lip, furrowing her brow as she stares at me.