Page 32 of Dark Seduction

"You're very fortunate," the doctor says. "Just a few minor scrapes and a mild concussion. Nothing that won't heal with a bit of rest."

He continues, adjusting his glasses, "We'd like to keep you here overnight for observation, but your husband was quite adamant about taking you home. He's arranged for private medical care to monitor you through the night."

I open my mouth to correct him about Lev not being my husband, but then I think better of it. The thought of spending a night in the hospital sounds less than appealing. "Thank you," I say instead.

The doctor pauses, his expression softening as he glances at his notes again. "Were you aware that you’re pregnant?”

His words hit me like a tidal wave. My eyes widen, and the room starts spinning. For a moment, I feel like I might faint again.

I gaze out the window from the back of Lev's sleek, private car, the night speeding by as we glide through the city. My minddrifts back to the whole Ivanov family huddled in the lobby of the hospital, their faces etched with concern.

The doctor was right about Lev being adamant about keeping me safe. He insisted that I stay over at his place—in my own room, of course. I'd agreed without much thought.

Wrapped in my thoughts and the quiet of the car’s backseat, Lev breaks the silence. "Do we talk about the big news now or wait until we get back?" he asks, his voice low and careful.

I sigh, feeling the weight of the revelation still settling in my chest. "I need some time to process it," I admit, turning to look out the window, watching the city lights blur past.

He nods in understanding, letting the silence envelop us again, giving me space to think.

We pull up to a towering skyscraper smack in the middle of downtown. Lev's casual declaration of, "This is my place," nearly knocks me off my feet. Like his place is just some average Joe's pad and not this glittering column scraping the sky.

As we exit the car, he mentions he's got some top-notch medical specialists on site if we need them.

The lobby is as grand as you'd expect, spacious and swanky, and the tight security gives me a bit of reassurance. I wonder briefly if Lev is expecting more trouble or if this is just an everyday precaution for the high-flying Ivanov lifestyle.

As we step into the penthouse, two doctors approach, their professional demeanor evident. Lev introduces them with a nod. "Dalia, this is Dr. Simon Hale," he gestures toward a tall, silver-haired man with a reassuring presence, "and Dr. Laura Chen," pointing to a petite woman with an attentive yet warm gaze.

Dr. Hale speaks up, his voice calm, "We've prepared one of the spare rooms with everything you might need, including a call button should you require us during the night."

Dr. Chen adds with a smile, "We’ll be staying in the guest rooms downstairs just in case." She scans the expansive layout of the penthouse.

Lev’s tone carries a deeper note of seriousness as he adds, "I trust them with my life. And I mean that quite literally at times."

As they turn to leave, Dr. Chen stops and turns back toward me, offering a gentle smile. "Oh, and congratulations on your pregnancy," she says.

They retreat down the sleek, modern staircase to the lower floor, leaving Lev and me alone in the quiet luxury of his massive penthouse.

When they’re gone, I look at Lev, confusion etched on my face. “How do they know about the pregnancy?”

He reaches for a glass and fills it with water from the tap. “I wanted them to have your full medical picture. They needed to know. But I promise you that I haven’t spoken a word to anyone else about it.”

He hands me the water, and I gulp it down, the cool liquid a small comfort.

Lev pours himself a glass of whiskey, and I can’t help but think how much I’d love one myself right now.

He sits down beside me. "How are you feeling?" he asks, his eyes searching mine.

"Totally overwhelmed," I admit. "I want to know everything about you and your family and what I’m walking into here."

Lev gives a small smile. "There’s time for that. But right now, we need to discuss what happens next."

He takes a sip of his whiskey, then looks me straight in the eye. "We’re getting married."

I blink, taken aback. “Married? Listen, I’m not one of those old-fashioned—” I start to say before he cuts me off.

Lev’s expression hardens. “You don’t have a choice. If I’m the father of your child, I’m going to be there for you, and them. And I’m going to do it the right way.”

His words hang in the air.

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