Page 67 of Innocent Bratva Hostage

She’s quiet, her gaze fixed ahead, but I can see the weight of everything settling over her like a heavy cloak.

“You’re sure about this?” I ask, my voice breaking the silence.

Her steps falter, and she turns to look at me, her eyes fierce despite the exhaustion lining her face. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life,” she says firmly. “This baby… they’re worth it.”

I want to argue, to tell her she’s being reckless, but the words die in my throat. I’ve never seen her look so certain, sounwavering, and I realize that no amount of logic or pressure from me will change her mind.

She folds the prescriptions in half, slipping it into her bag before exhaling slowly. “It’s going to be hard, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” I say bluntly, unwilling to sugarcoat the reality of what lies ahead. “You’re not doing this alone. I’ll make sure of that.”

Her lips press into a faint smile, though it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “I hope you mean that, Makar. Because this isn’t something I can handle on my own.”

I stop, turning to face her fully. “I do mean it,” I say, my voice steady. “You and the baby—you’re my responsibility. I don’t take that lightly.”

Her eyes search mine, as if trying to find the truth in my words. After a moment, she nods, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly.

“Okay,” she says softly, her voice laced with both determination and vulnerability. “Then let’s do this.”

We reach the car, and I open the door for her, watching as she settles into the seat. The sight of her—strong, determined, but undeniably fragile—stirs something deep inside me.

I steady her as she lowers herself into the seat, my hand lingering at her elbow longer than necessary. She exhales softly, her shoulders relaxing as she leans back, and for a moment, I just stand there, looking at her.

Hannah tilts her head, her dark eyes meeting mine. There’s exhaustion in her gaze, but also a flicker of strength that I can’t help but admire. Without thinking, I lean down and press a kiss to her forehead.

Her breath catches, and I feel her hand brush against mine as she whispers, “Thank you.”

I don’t answer, just close the door gently before rounding the car to slide into the driver’s seat. The engine purrs to life, and as we pull away from the hospital, the tension in my chest begins to ease.

The radio hums softly in the background, a soothing melody filling the silence between us. Hannah’s head rests against the window, her hand instinctively cradling her belly.

I glance at her out of the corner of my eye, my grip on the steering wheel loosening as a strange sense of calm washes over me.

For the first time in what feels like forever, I don’t feel the gnawing weight of responsibility or the cold, calculating pressure of my life. Instead, there’s a quiet contentment—a fleeting moment of peace as we drive through the dark streets toward home.

Chapter Twenty-Three - Hannah

The bag of medications sits on the kitchen counter, glaring at me like a mountain I’m not sure I can climb. I unpack them slowly, placing the bottles and boxes in a neat row: the blood pressure pills, the calcium supplements, the low-dose aspirin, and the prenatal vitamins.

Each one feels like a reminder of how fragile this situation is—how fragileIam.

Across the room, I can feel Makar watching me. His piercing blue eyes track my every movement, his expression unreadable but intense.

“You’re going to burn a hole through me with that glare,” I say without looking up, my voice tinged with exasperation.

“I’m trying to figure you out,” he replies, his tone calm but edged with curiosity.

I finally glance at him, raising an eyebrow. “What’s so hard to figure out?”

He leans back against the kitchen table, crossing his arms. “Why are you so determined to keep this baby? After everything the doctor said, after all the risks… why?”

The question catches me off guard, even though I’ve been expecting it. My hands still on the aspirin bottle, and I turn to face him fully. “I don’t know why, but… they mean everything to me,” I say softly, my voice steady despite the storm brewing inside me.

His brow furrows, his jaw tightening. “Even if it means risking your life?”

“Yes.”

The single word lingers between us, heavy and unyielding.

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