Page 42 of The Bratva's Knocked-Up Bride

My visit to the nearest pharmacy was a complete blur. I only knew there was a pregnancy test in the small bag I had been given, and I was on my way back to my place. Somehow through it all, I managed to keep myself together, even as I went to the washroom and took the test.

That is, until I returned to the test and looked down at it from where it rested on the countertop.

At seeing those two pink lines, my heart nearly stopped.

It was positive…and according to the test, I was indeed pregnant.

I had no way to rationalize that reality or even begin to understand what that meant outside of being completely terrified.

There was no way. No way that after carefully curating every step in my life and being as careful as possible, something so massive and impactful could hit me just like that.

I was pregnant with Damien’s baby, and I didn’t have anyone there to keep me level. To support and comfort me.

My heart raced as I stared at the test, feeling as those shaky breaths left me.

Even if nobody was there, I knew I couldn’t shoulder it alone.

I was far too rattled and terrified to call Damien, but I managed to grab my phone and dial Gemma’s number.

After the second ring, I heard her voice, and it was the slightest balm to my panic. “Hello?”

Letting go of another shaky breath, I leaned against the counter and tried to keep myself together a bit longer. “Gemma, hi…I…”

A moment of silence lingered between us after I trailed off before her voice returned sounding a lot less cheerful and more worried. “Sky? Is everything alright?”

It was scary enough to know that I was pregnant, but upon having to say it out loud, making it feel even more real, I couldn’t help the shake in my voice. “I don’t mean to worry you, but I just…I realized I was late so I took a test, and it's saying I’m pregnant…”

She was silent again, likely from the shock of it, and then her words reached me more quietly, aware of how big the situation was. “Oh my god, Sky…”

“I just had to call you and hear your voice…I don’t think I can handle this alone right now.”

Without hesitation, she said back, “I’ll be right over, okay? Just sit tight.”

Sniffling, grateful for the offer, I nodded to myself. “O-okay, I will…thank you.”

“Of course. Just try to stay calm. I’ll be there soon.”

My arm shook as I held the phone to my ear and eventually said goodbye to Gemma before the call was disconnected, and I slowly made my way to the couch.

I was feeling so many things at once, but the fear was the most overwhelming of all. The fear of knowing I was carrying Damien’s baby despite the uncertain state we were in, and that I’d have to say something eventually.

Shaken up and terrified of everything ahead of me, I could only sit on the couch and wait for Gemma all the while my eyes welled with tears.

***

“And…you’re sure it’s his?”

Sniffling as my sinuses ached, I nodded and wiped my tired eyes from my place on the couch across from Gemma. “He’s the only one I’ve slept with recently.”

Despite it coming as another shock to her, she nodded her understanding. “I see…I’ll be honest, I’m a bit surprised to hear it, but I guess it makes sense. I thought I caught him looking at you differently than most others.”

I told her all about me and Damien, from him watching me to us having sex—leaving out the part of it happening in the office—and him confessing to me. It all seemed to be a whirlwind of information for her to take in at once, but still, Gemmakept herself together and became the support I needed without question. I didn’t know what I’d do without her.

“I know this all seems so scary and sudden, but I promise you’ll make it out of this in one piece. I’ll be here every step of the way,” Gemma reassured me, putting a gentle hand on my forearm. “I’m sure you already know this, but you’ll have to tell Damien sooner rather than later.”

Hearing it again, aware that she was right, I felt another wave of dread.

There was something so terrifying about telling him. Almost like it made the whole thing feel more real and unavoidable. The moment I told him, it would stop being something between just me and Gemma…it would be an admittance of what we did and the reality of that consequence coming to life.

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