I want to respond, to reassure him, but words fail me. My mind races with a thousand thoughts. How will this change us? Are we ready? Will Abram be happy or…?

"I swear, if you don't come out soon, I'll break down this door," Abram threatens, though I hear the underlying concern in his tone.

Despite everything, a small smile tugs at my lips. My fierce, impatient Bratva King. Always ready to conquer any obstacle—even a bathroom door—to protect what's his.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what's to come. Whatever happens next, our lives will never be the same.

***

I step out of the bathroom, my legs feeling unsteady beneath me. Abram's eyes lock onto mine instantly, his piercing gaze searching my face for any hint of the test's outcome. The way he stares at me nearly takes my breath away.

"Zara," he breathes, his voice a mix of hope and trepidation. "Tell me."

I open my mouth to speak, but the words catch in my throat. My heart pounds so loudly that I'm sure he must hear it. How do I tell this man—a man who never asked for this—that he's going to be a father?

"I…" I start, my voice trembling. I swallow hard and try again. "Abram, I'm… we're…"

His brow furrows, concern etching deeper lines into his rugged face. He takes a step closer, his large hands coming to rest on my shoulders. The warmth of his touch sends a shiver down my spine.

"Tell me, Zara," he murmurs, his thumbs tracing soothing circles on my skin.

I take a deep breath, my eyes never leaving his. "I'm pregnant," I whisper, the words hanging in the air between us.

For a moment, Abram goes completely still. I hold my breath, a hundred emotions warring within me. Is he upset? I can’t expect me to be happy about this, after all. We’ve never even spoken about kids, let alone any form of a future together. Just when I’m about to question if he even feels about me the way I do for him, his eyes widen, and a myriad of emotions flash across his face—shock, disbelief, and something else I can't quite name.

"Pregnant?" he repeats, his voice barely above a whisper. "You're sure?"

I nod, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes. "Three tests. All positive."

This wasn't planned; it wasn't even something we'd discussed. And yet, here we are, on the precipice of something life-changing.

"Abram," I say softly, searching his face for any sign of how he's feeling. "Please say something."

Abram's eyes suddenly light up, a smile spreading across his face that I've never seen before. It's pure joy, unbridled and raw. Before I can react, he pulls me into a tight embrace, his strong arms enveloping me completely.

"Zara," he breathes into my hair, his voice thick with emotion. "My Zara. We're going to be parents."

I melt into his warmth, relief washing over me. "You're… you're happy?" I ask, my voice muffled against his chest.

He pulls back slightly, cupping my face in his hands. "Happy doesn't begin to cover it, my love. I never thought… I never dared to dream…"

His words trail off as he leans in to kiss me, his lips soft yet urgent against mine. I can feel the tremor in his hands, the rapid beat of his heart echoing my own.

When we finally part, both breathless, Abram's eyes are shining with unshed tears. "I love you," he says, his thumb brushing across my cheek. "Both of you."

Suddenly, he stiffens, a look of determination crossing his face. "Wait," he says, reaching into his pocket. "Not like this. There's something I need to do."

My breath catches as he pulls out a small velvet box, his hands trembling slightly as he opens it to reveal a stunning diamond ring. It’s huge—incredibly huge. It glitters in the soft light of our bedroom, a promise made tangible.

"Abram," I gasp, my heart racing. "What are you…?"

My eyes widen in shock as Abram slowly lowers himself to one knee, his gaze never leaving mine. The vulnerability in his eyes, so unlike his usual commanding presence, makes my heart skip a beat.

"Zara," he begins, his voice low and husky. "I’ve been carrying this ring around for days now. I know I'm not an easy man to love. My world is dangerous, complicated. But you… you've brought light into the darkness I've known for so long."

I feel tears welling up in my eyes as he continues, his words washing over me like a warm tide.

"I can't promise you a perfect life, Darling. But I swear to you, I will protect you and our child with everything I am. Will you marry me?"