Page 75 of Imperfect Desires

“Please,” I sob. “I’m pregnant. I’m already pregnant.”

He stills.

My chest heaves.

“I’m married,” I gasp. “That’s why the arranged marriage was called off. I eloped. I’m carrying his baby.”

For a long moment, he just stares at me.

And I lie there, trembling beneath him, praying he believes it.

Then he blinks.

“You’re lying,” he says, but his voice has lost some of its edge. It sounds like he’s trying to convince himself.

I hold his gaze, drawing every ounce of strength I have to keep my face steady.

“I’m not,” I whisper. “We married in secret. It’s why no one knows. We eloped. That’s why….. that’s why my engagement was canceled.”

Mendes narrows his eyes, searching my face. “I still don’t believe you.”

I try to school my face as I lie. “You are a member of the Cartel, I’m sure a few phone calls will confirm what I just said.”

He pulls back slowly and stares down at me for a long, unnerving moment. Then he picks up his phone and dials. “Change of plans,” he says. “Don’t come. Not today.” He hangs up.

Hope flickers within me, but it is short-lived as he makes another call. “Doctor Henaro?" He says into the device, but his eyes are still pinned on mine. “Get over here now! And bring what you need to run a pregnancy test.”

He ends the call with a glint in his eyes and his lips curling into a cruel smile. “If you’re lying, you’ll wish I hadn’t believed you.”

He turns and walks out, the door locking behind him. I collapse back against the bed, my breath coming in shallow gasps. My hands shake as I press them against my belly.

My body doesn’t move right away. I stay there, frozen on the edge of the bed, as if any sudden motion might shatter the fragile illusion that I bought myself time.

But it was just time. Not safety.

My heart pounds so hard I think it might break through my ribs. I press a trembling hand over my stomach, trying to shield the tiny life inside me from the terror swirling in my veins.

My baby. My baby.

This isn’t just about me anymore.

I breathe in through my nose and out through my mouth, trying to calm the storm inside me. It doesn’t work.

How long do I have? How long before the doctor shows up with needles and lies and a truth that might save me—or doom me?

What if Mendes doesn’t believe the test? What if he doesn’t care that I’m pregnant? What if this was just a delay to make what he does next feel... justified?

I press harder against my belly. As if I can shield my child from all the evil in the world with just my touch.

Tears sting behind my eyes, but don’t fall. I’ve already cried enough for a lifetime.

Now, I plan.

Now, I survive.

Please, God. Let Viktor find me. Let Lev—no. I can’t think about Lev. He has already made his choice.

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