Page 75 of The Bratva's Forbidden Pregnancy

“It’s okay, sweetheart. There’s no need to feel guilty,” he answered.

Slowly, I turned, and our eyes finally met; he was smiling.

“I had a talk with Vlad,” he began. “What’s done is done, and right now, you need to think about your future—you need to decide what you want. He’s told you about his marriage proposal, but he can’t force you to accept it. The ball is in your court now.”

“What do you think I should do?” I asked him.

“Search your heart,” he replied. “It never lies.” Dad stepped forward. “As ruthless and cruel as Vlad is, the man does care for you and the baby. I wasn’t sure at first, but watching his reaction when you were kidnapped was all the convincing that I needed. He’s taken you in as family, and Vlad doesn’t joke with his family; he protects them at all costs.”

No one could make this decision for me; it was mine alone. But their contributions were very much helpful and appreciated. They reminded me of something that I was choosing to ignore.

“Sienna, listen,” Dad said, “I’m sorry about the secret we kept from you, but trust me, nothing can ever change the fact that you’re my daughter—our daughter—and that we love you so much….”

He was still talking when I got off the bed and rushed to hug him tightly. “I know. I know.”

Dad wrapped his arms around me, and I found peace in his warm embrace.

I couldn’t have asked for better parents.

Chapter 24 – Vlad

“I gotta admit, it’s so refreshing being out here,” Sienna said while we walked along the seashore.

Her skin radiated a gentle glow in the evening sun as it cast its warm golden light. The air was filled with the sweet scent of sea spray and distant sounds of laughter from folks scattered here and there—some sat on benches while others were in the water, having a good time.

She’d been home for days since the incident, and my men had their eyes on her. Nothing and no one went in to see her without my knowledge. Of course, the family did have their private moments together. But other than that, nothing was out of sight.

Sienna was the woman I wanted to settle down with; she was the mother of my unborn child, and as such, she had to be protected at all costs.

Her kidnapping had made me realize just how much she meant to me and how miserable I’d be if anything happened to her and our baby.

Paul and I had a serious talk, and he suggested I did the same with Sienna. I wasn’t sure how this conversation was going to turn out in the end, but Paul reminded me the talk was long overdue. He’d accepted my proposal, and we took some time to settle our differences.

I had come over to the house earlier today, ready to speak with her, but decided on second thoughts to take the talk somewhere private.

“Where are we going?” she asked when we were left alone.

“Where do you wanna go?” I asked, and she replied with a smile.

“I miss this,” she looked at me, “being out in the open again.” She shut her eyes and drew in a deep breath.

“I’m glad you like it,” I said. “But why the beach?” I asked.

“Why not the beach?” She flashed me a faint grin. “It’s a beautiful place, inarguably one of the safest places to talk.” She pushed her hair behind her ear.

I really missed that pretty smile of hers, and the fact that, so far, we were having a decent conversation like two grown-up adults was comforting.

“I almost forgot how beautiful you are,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

She paused in her tracks and faced me, her cheeks turning red.

Is that a blush I see? I think we’re making progress.

“Thank you,” she replied with the same tone.

We locked eyes for a moment, but neither of us said a word. I was taking my time to savor her beauty as we stood facing each other. There was a lot to discuss, but for now, I just wanted to appreciate this marvelous piece of art.

Beneath our feet, the ocean waves caressed the shore with a smoothing melody. Her hair, a tangle of curls, danced in the ocean breeze, strands escaping to frame her face like a halo, and her eyes sparkled like diamonds.

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