Page 68 of Dark Embers

I give him a pleading look, silently begging him to say no, but he only rises and shifts Elena in the sling so he can stay close without hovering.

The next thing I know, I’m in a hospital gown, my legs in stirrups, my bare ass exposed to the cold air, and my Bratva prince sitting ten feet away with my baby girl strapped to his chest while a stranger probes my cervix.

The doctor finally straightens, removing her gloves and disposing of them in the bin. “She’s fine,” she says, addressing Oleksi like I’m not even in the room anymore. “No tearing, no bleeding, but some noticeable irritation. I’ll prescribe a topical cream and prenatal supplements. She’ll likely feel more sensitive than usual, so take things gently for a while.”

Her eyes flick to me with a wink that makes me wish I had the power to vanish into thin air. Then I could run like hell, especially after she says, “First pregnancies are always the worst.”

Oh my fucking God!I forgot that doctors can tell these things.Uh-oh.

My eyes dart to Oleksi. His expression is unreadable. But I know him well enough now to see the fire behind his eyes. His world has shifted again—and not in a small way as his mind is churning.

“Thank you,” he says, his voice low, his shoulders stiff.

The doctor is called away, and she promises us that a nurse will be in shortly with instructions and the prescription.

As the door clicks closed behind her, the room falls into an awkward, pulsing silence.

My eyes meet Oleksi’s and he’s staring at me with a look that could strip paint from the wall.

CHAPTER 25

Sabrina

I shift uncomfortably in the bed, tugging the blanket over my thighs. “Oleksi…” I begin as his eyes bore into me. “I’ve been trying to tell you since we left Vegas…”

He doesn’t respond at first. Instead, he lowers himself into the chair beside me and unclips Elena from the sling. She stirs softly but remains asleep as he cradles her in his arms, brushing his thumb across her cheek.

“I’m trying to find the words,” he finally says.

I brace myself.

“I should be furious,” he continues, staring down at my little girl. “That you didn’t tryharderto tell me. That I had to hear it from a stranger in a hospital.”

I swallow hard.

“But I’m not,” he adds, glancing at me. “I’m not furious.”

I blink at him, startled. “Uh… You’re not?”

“No.” His voice softens. “Because I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt and believe you were going to. Is this what you wanted to tell me when Syd interrupted us in our room in Vegas to tell us the jet was ready?”

I nod.

He nods and looks at Elena again, saying, “I’m going to believe after that you were waiting for the right time. And with everything going on…” He looks at me again. “ I get it.”

My chest caves in with the relief of it.

“I made a promise,” I whisper. “I was so torn between keeping that promise and wanting to tell you the truth about Elena…” I feel tears sting the back of my eyes. “I tried to tell you three times but each time we were interrupted. And each time I fooled myself into believing fate was trying to make me keep my promise that’s why I never had the chance to tell you.”

Oleksi’s eyes bore into mine but not with anger, or disappointment, but questions and I know this time there will be no excuses the truth is about to come out.

“I know the burden of carrying other people’s secrets,” Oleksi tells me. “We’re burdened with their truth, which are not our secrets to tell, and they become our lies to everyone else.”

Ain’t that the truth.I swipe a stray tear from my cheek amazed by how he’s reacting and falling even deeper in love with him.

“Who?” He looks at Elena, softly stroking her cheek before meeting my eyes again. “Whose baby is she?”

Before I can answer we’re once again interrupted as the nurse enters, disrupting the moment.

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