Page 82 of Dark Obsession

“Right back at you,” I whisper, slipping my hands around his neck, pulling him in for a kiss. He tastes like vodka and home. The cheers and laughter around us blur and the entire party seems to fade into the background as he kisses me slowly and deeply.

When he finally pulls back, he glances toward the balcony, then back to me, an amused glint in his eye. “I was thinking…” He lets the words linger and I grin.

“Thinking about another speech? They’re really starting to grow on you, aren’t they?”

He chuckles, shaking his head. “They just might be. What do you say? Want to make a toast with me?”

I smile, squeezing his hand. “Lead the way.”

Hand in hand, we make our way back up to the balcony, Grigori strong and steady beside me. As we climb the steps, the crowd starts to gather below, looking up expectantly.

Grigori taps his glass, the clear, confident chime cutting through the chatter. The band goes quiet, the din settles, and every eye in the crowd turns up to the balcony where we stand. He straightens, looking out over everyone gathered below, a genuine and proud smile on his face.

“To everyone here tonight,” he begins, “thank you. This is the happiest day of my life, and it wouldn’t be complete without each of you here, celebrating with us. You’re family, and I’m gratefulbeyond words.”

A few heads nod and others cheer softly, raising their glasses to him. He raises his own glass, his eyes finding mine as he says, “Cheers.”The crowd echoes back, and glasses clink in unison, the word rippling through the gathering as he takes a sip.

Then, it’s my turn. I step forward, taking a breath as I look out over the faces of the people I love most. Part of me is bursting to share my news, but I hesitate, trying to read the moment.

“You know, Grigori wasn’t always this smooth,” I say. Laughter hums through the crowd, and Grigori raises an eyebrow at me, amused. “When we were kids, he tried to impress me once by balancing on a fence outside the bakery. He fell right off and scraped both knees, the big show-off,” I tease, and the laughter rises. “But he got right back up. And that’s always been his way—stubborn, determined, and always with his eye on me.”

A few knowing smiles glance his way, watching him shake his head, clearly wondering where I’m going with this.

As I look out over everyone—Dalia and Maura, the kids laughing in the front row, my brothers, my new family, the people who’ve stood by me through everything—I feel a rush of certainty.

This is exactly the right moment.

“There’s actually more joy to add to today’s story,” I say, my voice softening as I glance at Grigori, then back out at everyone else. I take a deep breath, steadying myself. “Grigori and I… we’re going to have a baby.”

There’s a moment of stunned silence.

I look over at Grigori, watching the realization hit him. His eyes widen, his strong composure wavering just a bit. And then, asingle tear slips down his cheek. For a moment, he just stares at me, a vulnerable, raw look in his eyes that I don’t think I’ve ever seen before.

I can’t help myself; I smile and reach up, brushing his cheek with my thumb. “Grigori Petrov, are you crying?”

He clears his throat, immediately trying to pull himself together, glancing away with a playful scowl. “It’s the pollen,” he mutters, rubbing his hand over his face. “Or maybe you wore too much perfume.”

I laugh, knowing the truth and loving him even more for it.

Just then, cheers erupt all around. Maura has her hands over her mouth, tears in her eyes as she gazes up at us. Dalia practically squeals, pulling Lev’s arm like she’s in disbelief, and even he looks caught off guard, raising his glass with a wide, proud grin.

The band picks up, filling the night air with music, and Grigori pulls me down to the dance floor, his hand firm on my waist.

“A baby?” he murmurs, his voice full of awe, still a bit overwhelmed.

“A baby,” I whisper back, leaning into him, feeling like my heart might burst with happiness.

With that, we step into our first dance as husband and wife, his hand warm against my back, our future unfolding with every step.

“I love you,” he says, his lips brushing mine, endless emotion in his eyes.

“Right back at you,” I whisper, my heart full as everyone watches us, knowing that everything we’ve dreamed of is right here inthis moment.

Epilogue II

Grigori

Eight months later…

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