Page 59 of The Bratva's Forbidden Pregnancy

“We’ll get to that,” I replied. “But something’s eating you up. What is it?”

I was truly concerned about my friend, but at the same time, I couldn’t help but wonder if it had anything to do with Sienna. If it did, then what did he know? What was he suspecting? Having him talk would help me better understand how to delve into this situation, considering how delicate the matter was and what serious damage it could do.

He sighed, setting down his napkin after wiping his mouth. “It’s Sienna.”

Alright, here we go.

His words stabbed my heart, and guilt washed over me; however, I remained composed.

Leaning back in my chair, I asked, “What about her?”

“Listen, I know I asked you to stay away from her, and I’m grateful that you did….”

Fuck.

Now, that guilt became so overwhelming that it threatened my composure, but I struggled against it. The fact that he believed I’d stayed away from his daughter after he asked me to just made this confession even more difficult. He would feel betrayed; I was certain because I felt like I had betrayed him.

I had never felt so guilty before, and in a moment of weakness, I was tempted to brush off the real reason for this meeting. He would hate me after today, and even though I had told Sienna that I would marry her, I feared I might lose her, as well.

This was a fucking hazard: a potential disaster, an impending doom. It was a storm that I wasn’t well prepared for.

Sleeping with Sienna the first time was defendable; he hadn’t warned me to stay away just yet. But doing so the second time, after his warning…that was a low blow coming from me.

Paul continued, “Telling you this is a little weird, but you’re my friend. I feel I can share it with you.”

His words were sharper than my sharpest daggers, and they pierced my heart without mercy. It was torture, listening to him address me like a good friend.

Keep it together, Vlad. You got this.

I suddenly felt so weak, and it was like cowardice was starting to creep in, but I wouldn’t have it. I might have been many things, but a coward wasn’t one of them.

“She’s zoning out, Vlad.” Paul’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

I raised my eyes, looking right at him.

He continued, “Lately, she’s been eating less, she’s been distant….” Paul dropped into the backrest of his chair with a deep breath. “She’s starting to grow pale, and she’s weak all the time. Her mother thinks that she’s….” He couldn’t say the word.

“Pregnant?” I helped him say it.

He nodded subtly. “I don’t want to believe it, but I can’t argue with the signs—nor can I argue with her mother.”

Well, there it was. Both parents were already suspecting, so keeping quiet would only delay the inevitable. It was time to let the cat out of the bag.

I cleared my throat and adjusted in my chair, bracing myself for what would come next after my confession. “I’m sorry, my friend.”

“Sorry for what? That she might be pregnant?” he asked, clueless at first. “You don't have to be. It’s not like you’re….” Paul paused immediately, shooting me a glare.

I was quiet, my eyes fixed on him in a way that conveyed a silent message: a message that he received. He leaned forward, his hands resting on the table. Paul didn’t shift his gaze as he studied me, waiting for my next response. He looked like he was hoping that he’d misread my countenance and misunderstood my reply.

“Natalie wasn’t wrong to think Sienna was pregnant,” I said, locking eyes with him.

Paul furrowed his brows, his breathing growing more and more audible as he anticipated what would come out of my mouth next.

“She is. And I’m the father of the child she’s carrying.”

He stared at me without a word.

“I got her pregnant, Paul,” I blurted out. “And now, I intend to marry her.”

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