Page 66 of Plus-Size Bratva Bride

And right now, I needed to let go. This was it, my one shot to see if Abe truly didn’t know how to tell me how he felt, or if he really didn’t give a damn.

He deserved the truth about everything, starting with the baby, and then I’d never be left reeling this way again. Then, I’d know, for sure.

At this moment, I realized that knowing would always be better than holding on to the what-ifs, better than all this self-doubt.

I sat up, feeling incredibly brave, and looked at the man who would decide what my future would hold. And for the first time ever, I felt no fear.

"Abe, I…" I started, then faltered. My mind raced. Pregnant. I'm pregnant. Two simple words that would change everything. My courage wavered.

"What is it?" he prompted gently, his brows furrowed with worry.

I bit my lip, buying time. How would he react? Would he be angry? Excited? Indifferent? The uncertainty was paralyzing.

Yet, so was not knowing.

I took a deep breath, my heart pounding so hard I was sure Abe could hear it. My secret pressed down on me, demanding to be released. I couldn't keep this from him any longer.

"Abe, there's something I need to tell you," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. I forced myself to meet his eyes. "I'm… I'm pregnant."

The words hung in the air between us, heavy and irreversible. My eyes remained glued to his, and I watched his pupils blast open just as shock rippled across his face. His grip on my hand tightened almost painfully.

"Pregnant?" he repeated, his voice hoarse. "You're sure?"

I nodded, unable to look away from the tumult of emotions playing across his features. Shock gave way to disbelief, then a flicker of something that looked almost like… hope? Or was I imagining things? Projecting my own hope onto him?

Abe nodded slowly as though registering what I said now, his eyes never leaving mine. I could almost see the gears turning in his head, processing this new reality.

"And the baby… it's…" he started, then swallowed hard.

"Yours," I finished for him, my voice stronger now. "There's no question about that."

He let go of my hand and raked through his hair. "How long have you known?" he asked, his tone carefully controlled.

"Not long," I admitted, feeling a lump form in my throat. "I found out just before… you told me you had killed the guy from the casino. I didn’t know whether I should…" I trailed off, gesturing helplessly.

I held my breath, studying Abe's face for any clue to his thoughts. The ticking of a nearby clock seemed deafening in the quiet room.

Finally, Abe broke the silence, his voice husky and raw as he rubbed a hand over his stubble. "Christ, Pippa," he muttered, shaking his head. "I don’t even know what to say. I’m not… I’ve never…" His words faltered, and he exhaled sharply, frustrated. "I’m not exactly father material, am I? The things I’ve done, the life I lead…"

I felt my heart clench at the hurt and confusion in his tone. To see him so unsettled was jarring.

"I didn't plan this either, Abe," I said softly. "But it's happening, and I thought you deserved to know. I know it's not ideal," I tried to reassure him. “And I won’t pressure you to be a part of this journey. You’re free to do as you wish. I can raise this baby just fine on my own. You’re not obliged to hold my hand through this.”

Abe's gaze snapped up to mine, his eyes dark with anger. "Pressure me? Obliged?" he said, his voice cruel to the ear. "Pippa, do you really think that's what this is about?"

I shifted uncomfortably under the intensity of his stare. “Are you angry about something?”

He raised his brows and looked at me like I was daft. “Of course I’m fucking angry,” he said in a louder-than-usual tone. “But more than that, I’m fucking hurt.”

Chapter 24 - Abe

"What’s this about? What did I do to make you so angry and hurt, Abe?" Pippa asked softly, her eyes flashing with confusion. She leaned toward me, her mouth pursed with frustration.

"You want to know why I'm mad?" I growled, my voice raw and unguarded. "Because you suggested I didn't have to be involved with our child. Like it was a fucking option."

The words hung in the air between us, heavy and charged. I watched as shock rippled across Pippa's face, her perfectly arched eyebrows shooting up. Fuck. I hated seeing her upset. But the words I needed to say were all looped up in my head, unable to be deciphered.

“I just thought, when you said you didn’t know anything about being a father—” she started.

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