Page 39 of The King's Secret Baby

She looks at me, her brown eyes searching mine. “I know this isn’t what we planned. I know it’s complicated. But I… I want to keep the baby, Luca.”

My heart skips a beat. She wants to keep the baby. Our baby. A part of me is thrilled, but another part is terrified. What will this mean for us? For our future?

I know one thing for certain: I will support Hailey, no matter what. I won’t abandon her or our child.

“Hailey, I’m here for you,” I say softly, squeezing her hand. “We’ll navigate this together. I promise.”

I take a deep breath, still trying to wrap my mind around this news even as I promise to stand by her side.

We’re having a child. It’s overwhelming, but as I look into her eyes, I see a glimmer of hope, of excitement, beneath the fear and uncertainty.

“The condom must have been faulty,” she says, voice trembling slightly. “I’m sorry, Luca. I never meant for this to happen.”

I shake my head, pulling her into my arms. “Don’t apologize. This isn’t your fault. If anything, it’s mine. I should have been more careful.”

She buries her face in my chest, and I feel her tears soaking through my shirt. I stroke her hair, whispering words of comfort and reassurance.

“We’ll get through this. I promise you. I’ll be here every step of the way.”

She pulls back, looking up at me with watery eyes. “You really mean that?”

I nod, cupping her face in my hands. “Of course I do. This is our child. Our responsibility. And I… I want to be a part of their life. I want to be there for you, for both of you.”

A small smile tugs at the corners of her mouth, and she leans into my touch. “Thank you, Luca. You have no idea how much that means to me.”

“Of course.”

I mean what I’m saying. I would rather die than turn my back on the mother of my child. Yet, the weight of reality crashes down on me. The ramifications of this news start to sink in, and a sense of dread settles in the pit of my stomach.

Soon, I will be officially crowned king of Werdenfeld. My every move is scrutinized, my personal life dissected by the media and the public. I can’t step outside this palace without being mobbed. Everyone wants to know what the future king is doing, what he’s thinking. It’s up to me to demonstrate our country’s morals, now and for the rest of my life.

And a royal child out of wedlock? It’s unheard of. It could jeopardize everything I’ve worked for, everything my father built.

I release Hailey from my embrace, my hands still resting on her shoulders. “I need some time to clear my head, to process all of this. But I want you to know that I’m not going anywhere. We’re in this together, okay?”

She nods, her smile faltering slightly. “Oh. Um. Okay. Are you…”

“I’m not displeased. I’m shocked. That’s all.” I bite my bottom lip. It’s not exactly the truth, but I’m spinning right now, unable to get a solid footing.

Her eyes narrow the slightest bit, but it’s more from pain than suspicion.

“It’s not what I expected,” I say, rushing to explain. “I’m being coronated in a few weeks, and this — this could throw everything off. When people find out I am having a child out of wedlock?—”

“You are having a child out of wedlock,” she cuts in. “That’s the fact. Unless you’re planning on suddenly proposing to me since I’m pregnant.” There’s bitterness in her words.

I get up and pace the room, leaving her warm body behind. “That’s… not what I meant.” My stomach tightens. “I’m just… It’s a lot to take in.”

She sighs and looks away. “It’s fine. You never promised me anything, and I’m not asking for anything either.”

My heart climbs into my throat. Oh, Hailey. I would offer her the whole world if I could, but it’s not that simple. My hands are tied, and it’s not formywell-being — it’s for the well-being of my country.

I suppose it’s too much to expect her to understand that. When it comes to these kinds of affairs, our experiences are too varied. She didn’t grow up being written about on gossip blogs, being expected to set an example for every other person in her country.

“I’ll come see you later today,” I say.

As I step away, I see the disappointment in her eyes, the unspoken longing for me to stay. It takes every ounce of willpower to turn towards the door, to leave her when all I want is to wrap her in my arms and never let go.

But I know I need this time, need to gather my thoughts and find a way to navigate this new reality.

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