Page 135 of Primal God

“Because we’re in this together. No matter what.”

My eyes water and a few tears roll down my cheeks.

“Did I ever tell you how Serafina died?”

I look up at him. “I thought she died in childbirth.”

He gives me a small smile. “That’s what the official cause of death was, but it wasn’t the true reason.”

He pauses, looking off into space, so I take his hand into mine, giving it a comforting squeeze.

“Things were good between Serafina and I when we first got married. We were both full of foolish hopes and dreams. She was twelve years younger than me and was just getting to see the world as an adult. I wanted to be the one to show her everything. Things changed after João was born. Serafina became someone I didn’t know. She would pick fights with me. She was erratic. Nothing I could say or do helped.” He sighs. “I stopped trying after a point. When João was two, I told her I wanted a divorce. That’s when she told me she was pregnant.”

He looks down at me. “She was never pregnant, but I didn’t know that. We fell into a vicious cycle with no end in sight. When João was close to turning eighteen, I told her I wanted a divorce. That’s when she told me she was pregnant with the twins.”

“She did it on purpose?”

He nods. “She knew I always wanted a big family and did it to ensure I wouldn’t leave her. It worked, but, as before, after a point, the kids were no longer a reason to stay together. So she got pregnant again.”

“With Isadora?” I ask.

“Yes. But something was wrong with Serafina. She wasn’t well in the head. I tried to get her help. I did. But she was good at acting like things were fine, and my fears were dismissed.” He swallows thickly. “Clara and I were at ballet when it happened.”

“Whenwhathappened?” I ask in a whisper.

“Diego was hungry and went looking for Serafina. He found her in the bathroom, passed out. She had taken pills, trying to end her life.”

“Oh, poor Diego,” I say, not hiding the tears streaming down my face.

“Somehow, he managed to use her phone to call me.” His head dips in shame. “I didn’t answer the first time because all Serafina and I ever did was fight.”

“Dimitri—”

“I answered on the second call. Diego was hysterical. When I arrived at the house, she was unresponsive.” His gaze meets mine. “I almost lost them both. The drugs that she took had put Isadora in distress too.”

I lift his hand, bringing it to my lips. “I’m so sorry.”

“I was relieved after she died. This heavy cloud that hung over me for so many years was gone. But then I was left with the aftermath. One where my young son stopped speaking. One where I was now a widower with three young kids.” His gazesearches mine. “I vowed never to fall in love again. I’d never put myself in a position to be that vulnerable. But then you came along.”

My eyes water again.

“You’ve always drawn me in, Lilith, from the day I first met you. I tried to stay away then, but I’m not going to do it anymore.”

“What are you saying?”

“I love you.” He smiles. “I love you more than I knew was possible. You make me a better man. A better father. So, Lilith, if you are pregnant, then I only have one thing to say.” He pauses. “Marry me. Marry me even if you aren’t pregnant. God knows we’ve spent too much time apart as it is.”

“Dimitri—”

He stands, pulling a ring box from his pocket. Slowly, he lowers to one knee in front of me. It should be absurd that I’m sitting in my bra and panties while he proposes. But it’s not. It’s perfect.

“Lilith Marie Wolfe, will you be my wife?”

“Yes.” I laugh as tears stream down my face. “Yes, I’ll marry you!”

He stands, pulling me into his embrace as he kisses me. I hold him tightly, needing to feel him.

When we pull away, I ask, “But what about João?”

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