Page 115 of Sinful Lies

But I need to focus.

There’s nothing I can do about this situation with our half-brother until Alexei lands back in New York, and we can speak with Mikhail and Danil. Until then, my energy needs to go toward Zara and the baby.

I can’t have her thinking I’m angry at her, not when she’s in such a fragile state.

If it weren’t for this shit with my father, I would be nothing but overjoyed at the news that she is pregnant.

Zara is the most incredible woman I’ve ever met, and to have her be the mother of my child is a blessing.

What I do want to know is why she didn’t tell me about the pregnancy sooner...

Once I calm down completely, I head down the stairs to find Zara collecting the dozens of candles that she had scattered on every available surface throughout the living area.

She looks over her shoulder at me as I reach the bottom step, and I can tell she’s hesitant to approach me.

“Dimitri, I’m so sorry.” She wraps her arms around herself as her eyes fill with tears. “This wasn’t how I wanted you to find out.”

I glance over to the kitchen where I find the takeout containers fromAngelo’s, my favorite restaurant in the city. She really had gone all out to tell me the news, and I ruined the night by letting my temper get the better of me.

I really am no better than my father.

“How long have you known?” I turn my attention back to Zara.

Her throat bobs as she bites her lower lip. “A week.”

She’s kept this a secret for a week?

I can’t deny that it stings to know that she didn’t tell me the moment she found out.

“Is there a reason you felt you couldn’t tell me right away?” I rub at my jaw. “I thought we were starting to build trust.”

“We are, Dimitri. It’s just…” She looks away, wiping at her cheeks with the back of her hand.

“Just what?”

She sighs. “I didn’t want to risk losing you. I know we’re only married because of a deal but…I’m falling for you, Dimitri, and part of me was starting to think that you were falling for me too.”

She shakes her head, a nervous laugh escaping her lips. “But it’s clear I was wrong.”

“Is that what you think?”

She nods, her eyes downcast.

“Zara…” I take a step toward her.

“I was dumb. And a baby changes things.”

I freeze.

She bites her lip. “You didn’t sign up for this, and I couldn’t stop myself from thinking that once our situations are dealt with, you’ll be marching me down to the lawyers office so we can get divorced, and you can finally be free of me.”

She thought I was going to walk away?

“Are you kidding me?” My eyes run the risk of falling out of their sockets. “You truly believe that’s what I want?”

“That’s why I couldn’t bring myself to tell you about thebaby sooner. I know it was selfish, but I didn’t want the bubble to burst. I’m so sorry. I’ll get my things. I’ll—” Her voice cracks, and she covers her mouth with her hand to muffle her sob.

Like hell would I ever turn my back on the one thing that has brought me the most happiness in my life.

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