Page 108 of Ruthless God

My vision blurs. I don’t even realize I’m crying until teardrops land on the paper, smudging the ink, distorting the words that once held so much certainty.

A sharp ache settles deep in my chest.

How is Harvey doing now that he’s had time to recover? Did he get his results back? Is the cancer gone? And Lili… How is she? How is the baby? Has she felt it move, like I’ve felt mine?

My breath catches as my hand goes to my stomach. The smallest swell beneath my palm. A life I’ve barely acknowledged. A secret I’ve let slip too far into the background. Another thing I’ve let slide. Another thing I’ve ignored while letting myself get lost in Claudius.

I exhale, steadying myself. That stops tonight.

Because I have to tell him.

No more waiting. No more pushing it aside, pretending I have all the time in the world. Tonight, he finds out about the baby. No matter what happens next.

I carry my bag into his room, placing it neatly in my closet.

My closet.

The thought sends a strange, unexpected warmth through me.

“I like how that looks.” His voice rumbles from behind me.

I spin, only for Claudius to pull me into his arms, his touch effortless, natural like I already belong there. His lips brush lightly against mine. A tease. A promise.

“Hi.”

I smile, voice softer than I intend. “Hi.”

He doesn’t let me go. “I missed you.”

My lips twitch. “You were only gone for an hour.”

“Felt like longer.”

But then his expression shifts. It’s slight. A flicker. A hesitation. He looks away for a moment.

“I have to leave for a bit.” His tone is casual, but there’s something underneath it. “Something on the mainland needs my attention.”

My pulse kicks up. Is he going to tell me about my father?

“Is everything okay?” I ask, keeping my voice steady.

His smile is slow, controlled. “It will be.”

That’s not an answer.

But before I can press him, he tilts his head, a smirk tugging at his lips. “I was hoping you’d join me for a picnic on the beach before I go.”

The shift is deliberate. A distraction. But I let him have it. For now.

I smile back. “That would be nice.”

His fingers trace down my arm, a casual and possessive touch. “I believe there’s a swimsuit in there.” His smirk deepens. “Bring it.”

A pause.

“Or don’t.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “You’re impossible.”

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