Page 41 of The Bratva King's Twins

Even if she was playing without any food in her system, I thought it was strange for something like that to cause such a strong reaction. At best, I’d expect her to feel dizzy, not throwing up.

But the more I considered it, the more those recent behaviors of hers came to mind again.

While Vivian seemed to be in better spirits after having the chance to spend time as she wished, she seemed more tired than usual. She looked worn out, as if she had been shouldering some difficult work all day even if she tried to not make it obvious. Plus, getting food into her had been harder lately, and she’d spend some meals pushing her food around instead of eating it.

Since she was more than willing to play tennis, I didn’t give much thought to it. I assumed she was still just settling in and getting used to everything.

But those things paired with how immediately sick she was outside, I was afraid something else might be wrong.

Even if that was the case, I didn’t want to pester her—not now.

By the time I returned from the kitchen with an armful of supplies, I found Vivian sitting in the living room instead of the bathroom floor with her head in her hands. I put everything down on the coffee table and handed her a water bottle.

“Do you feel better at least?” I asked her, sitting next to her on the couch.

“Somewhat,” Vivian mumbled as she lifted her head again, sniffling to herself. She carefully took the water, and her trembling hand wasn’t missed by me.

Looking at her splotched cheeks and the tears in her eyes, I couldn’t understand what was going on. I was trying my best to help her, but at that point, I was at a complete loss.

“Is there anything else I can do?”

She wiped at her eyes, shaking her head despite another wave of emotion that overcame her. “No, I’m fine…I just…I’m sorry.”

Furrowing my brows at her, I was grappling to understand. “What’s making you upset?”

Vivian pulled in a deep breath to steady herself as she leaned back into the couch and just barely met my eye with subtle shame. “I haven’t been completely honest with you, Ari. I’m afraid you’ll be angry with me.”

While the statement surely caught my attention, I also didn’t want her to think I’d be quick to anger. At that point, I didn’t think there was much she could do that would make me mad anymore.

“What is it?” I asked gently, silently hoping to not scare her, or cause her to retreat within herself again. “I promise you can tell me, Vivian.”

Meeting my eyes fully then, she nodded and seemed to scrounge up her bravery. “Here goes nothing,” she said, just above a whisper. “Ari, I had the driver take me to a convenience store after riding one day, and I took a pregnancy test. It was positive.”

Even as those words repeated again and again in my mind, I couldn’t fathom what she was telling me. It didn’t feel real, even as I felt her next to me, still on the brink of tears.

“I didn’t tell you sooner because I was afraid it would complicate things between us right after we started to get closer, and I didn’t know how you would react to it,” Vivian rambled as her chin wobbled. “I was afraid you wouldn’t want it, and I’d be forced to get rid of it, or—”

“So soon?” I questioned, voice so quiet I almost didn’t recognize it as my own.

Vivian stopped dead in her tracks then, caught off guard by the innocent question. She nodded slowly.

We both blinked back at each other in stunned disbelief, sitting in that silence until I spoke up.

“That’s incredible news, Vivian,” I managed to say, struggling with the influx of emotions I felt at the revelation. “We’re…we’re going to have a baby.”

She still looked apprehensive until I leaned in and wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close while being mindful of her nausea.

When she relaxed, Vivian couldn’t stop the tears as she hugged me back with her face pressed against my chest.

“It’s alright,” I cooed to her, holding her as gently as I could manage, overwhelming happiness consuming me. “I’m sorry you were afraid I’d be angry to hear something like that, but just know I’m the opposite. I can’t believe it.”

“You don’t think it’ll be too much?” Vivian asked, voice muffled as she pulled back to show me her bleary eyes, sniffling.

“Of course not,” I returned, smiling at her. I pushed those loose strands of hair out of her face and gently wiped her tears away. “You’re doing an incredibly brave and honorable thing, and I appreciate it immensely. I’d be thankful for any child.”

With relieved joy, those emotions hit her again, causing me to feel the same as she hugged me tighter.

“I’m so glad to hear you say that,” she murmured, letting everything wash over her.

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