Page 35 of Pregnant By the Bratva

“Do that. I want to know the second anything changes,” I say, my tone firm. “We can’t afford any surprises.”

“Understood,” Maxim responds before hanging up.

I put the phone down, my thoughts immediately returning to Sarah. She’s sitting there, her posture still tense, the vulnerability she showed just moments ago now guarded. I cross the room and sit beside her again, reaching out to gently touch her arm.

“You’re safe,” I say, my voice softer now, meant to reassure. “As long as we stay ahead of them, you don’t have to worry.”

Sarah looks at me, her eyes searching mine for any sign of doubt, but I meet her gaze with certainty. I need her to feel secure, to know that no matter what happens, I’ll protect her.

“I won’t let anything happen to you,” I add, my hand moving to her stomach, where our child is growing. “Our child will face no such terror, Sarah. I’ll make sure of it.”

Her hand covers mine again, her touch warm and grounding. “This child will be protected,” she whispers, her voice filled with a quiet determination. “They’ll grow up safely, away from all the darkness.”

We’re both silent for a moment, just looking at each other, and it’s an intimate moment, more so than I would’ve expected. There’s a softness in her eyes that I’ve rarely seen, a connection forming between us that goes beyond mere physical attraction.It’s something deeper, something that makes me realize how much I’ve started to care about her.

I don’t get why, but I feel it—this pull towards her, this need to keep her close, to protect her, not just because she’s carrying my child but because she’s become important to me in ways I hadn’t anticipated.

Chapter Twenty

Sarah

The long, flowing dress hugs my body in all the right places, but as I stand in front of the mirror, my eyes keep drifting to the slight curve of my stomach. It’s barely noticeable, just a gentle swell that only I can seem to obsess over. I smooth my hand over the fabric, trying to push away the flicker of insecurity that nags at me. I’ve never been one to worry about my appearance, but this… this is different. I’m not just me anymore. I’m carrying Ivan’s child.

The thought sends a shiver through me, a mixture of fear and something else—something warmer, more hopeful. I’m lost in my thoughts when I feel a familiar presence behind me. Ivan’s hands slide around my waist, his touch firm and possessive as he pulls me back against him.

“You look beautiful,” he murmurs against my ear, his voice low and rough. His hands glide over the curve of my stomach, then lower, tracing the line of my hips with a slow, deliberate caress. “I want to take you right now.”

His words send a thrill through me, the intensity of his desire pulling me out of my insecurities, but I glance at the clock on the wall and feel a jolt of panic. “We’re getting late,” I protest, quickly stepping out of his embrace. My heart races as I put some distance between us, trying to regain my composure. “We don’t want to keep your associates waiting.”

Ivan’s eyes darken with frustration, but he lets me go, his gaze lingering on me with a look that promises he won’tforget this. “We’ll finish this later,” he says, his voice thick with unspoken intent.

I nod, trying to shake off the lingering tension between us as we leave for the event. The car ride is quiet, the city’s lights flashing by outside the window as I sit beside Ivan, my thoughts drifting. It’s a relief when we finally arrive at the grand venue, the sight of the bustling crowd giving me something else to focus on.

Inside, the atmosphere is lively, filled with the low hum of conversation, clinking glasses, and the soft strains of music. Ivan quickly falls into conversation with his business associates, his demeanor shifting into that of a powerful man in control of his empire. I watch him for a moment, taking in the way he commands the room with ease before I decide to wander off on my own.

As I make my way through the crowd, I’m lost in thought when I suddenly bump into someone. I look up, and my breath catches in my throat. It’s Sophia.

She looks different—paler, more fragile than I remember. Her eyes meet mine, and for a brief moment, there’s a flicker of something in them—surprise, maybe even relief. Then it’s gone, replaced by a wave of hurt and betrayal that cuts through me like a knife.

“Sarah,” she says, her voice trembling slightly. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

I swallow hard, guilt gnawing at me as I take in the sight of her, my heart twisting at the pain in her eyes. “Sophia… I—”

She cuts me off, her voice rising in pitch as she struggles to keep her composure. “How could you?” she whispers, her eyesbrimming with tears. “I considered you my sister, Sarah. Youtrickedme, betrayed me. How could you do that to us?”

Her words hit me like a blow, the weight of her accusations pressing down on my chest. I open my mouth to respond, but the words stick in my throat. How do I explain? How do I tell her that I never wanted to betray her, that I was forced into a situation I couldn’t escape?

Sophia’s hands tremble as she wipes away the tears that spill over, her gaze searching mine for answers I’m not sure I can give. “I trusted you,” she continues, her voice breaking. “We’re family. I would have done anything for you.”

The depth of her pain is clear, and it nearly tears me apart. “Sophia,” I start, my voice thick with emotion, “I… I never meant to hurt you. You have to believe me.”

She shakes her head, the tears falling freely now. “Then why? Why did you do it?”

I take a deep breath, my heart aching for the girl who once called me her sister. “I had no choice,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. “There were things I couldn’t tell you. Things that—”

“Things that were more important than our friendship?” she interrupts, her voice laced with bitterness. “More important than the bond we shared?”

“No!” I quickly say, stepping closer to her, desperate to make her understand. “It wasn’t like that, Sophia. I was trying to protect you.”

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