Page 61 of Pregnant Prisoner By the Bratva
A curve.
I saw it clearly, the baby, tiny limbs twitching like whispers of motion, five fingers curled into a perfect little hand.
The technician took a few measurements after clicking something on the screen. Then, she turned her head, her gaze shifting between Ester and me. “Would you like to know the gender?”
For some reason, my heart sank into my belly, and my throat was dry all of a sudden. Ester glanced at me, as if seekingmy permission. I tried to speak, but my voice wouldn’t come. So, I nodded once, a stiff jerk of my chin.
She wore a courteous smile. “It’s a girl.”
I forgot how to breathe, my brows rising in surprise. “A girl?”
Ester shifted her gaze toward me, as if trying to figure out my reaction to the news. We hadn’t really discussed our preferences; neither of us had mentioned what we wanted. A boy or a girl. Her skepticism was justified. As was that glint of concern in her eyes.
Instinctively, my feet, like a separate entity on their own, moved me away from the window and toward my wife. Something cracked open inside me, not loudly. Just a quiet shift, like ice cream melting beneath the surface. My expression softened, the closer I drew to her, my lips curling into a self-satisfied grin, small and almost imperceptible.
I halted before Ester and took her hand, my fingers squeezing gently against hers. She looked up at me, beaming that charming, genuine smile of hers that lit up her face, her mood. I’d almost forgotten just how gorgeous and contagious her smile was. Radiant.
“This is good news,” I said, mirroring her grin, my heart filled with the kind of gladness I hadn’t felt in ages.
This was a chance to redeem myself—it was nature’s way of compensating me for losing my sister.
Decades ago, I failed to protect Maria. Now, I was offered an opportunity to right my wrongs, to ease my conscience, and succeed where I failed before. I wasn’t going to mess this up this time. Not again.
As my wife and I stared into each other’s eyes, I felt the tension between us ease a bit. It was almost like the burden in my chest seemed lighter, like that authentic smile on her lips lifted a load off me.
For the first time in a while, I remembered why I was convinced before that marrying her was a great idea. Ester and our baby girl in her womb were undoubtedly the center of my world—my top priority.
Ester’s radiant smile was a subtle reminder of my vows at the altar—vows to always make her happy at all times. I made up my mind right there to take charge of the situation and at least attempt to bring back the good days. She’d been through a lot and deserved to be happy; I should be her happiness, the source of her joy.
On the drive back home, Ester was a whole new person—smiling uncontrollably while humming a song to herself, her voice a low whisper. She was seated by my side in the backseat, leaning against the window with her head resting on the cool glass.
I tapped my palm against my thigh, watching her from the corner of my eye, wondering how to share my thoughts with her. “I want this.” The words fell from my lips, raw and unrestrained.
She raised her head off the glass and turned to face me, eyes squinting ever so slightly. Ester stared at me for a moment before asking, “Care to elaborate?”
“You,” I answered, holding her gaze. “The baby.” My eyes darted to her belly for a second, then returned to her face again. “I want this family we’re about to build—you and me. The two of us together.”
Her expression softened, her eyes glassy, as if my words had somehow triggered her tear glands. She swallowed, blinking a few times with an unwavering gaze. “Don’t mess with me, Yulian,” she warned, a faint scowl flashing across her face. “Don’t say it if you don’t mean it.”
I reached out and held her hand, my eyes boring into hers. “I don’t throw empty words around, Ester.” I squeezedgently, my thumb brushing against her knuckles. “So, when I say that I want you, that I want to start a family with you and our unborn baby girl…I mean every single word.” My voice was low, steady, and deliberate.
Her chest was heaving with slow breaths, her misted eyes blinking as if to hold back her tears. “You do?” she whispered, staring into my face.
“Yes.” I nodded. “I’ve never wanted anything more in my life.”
“Are you sure about this, Yulian? It’s—it’s a pretty serious commitment, and if you’re not all in, then—” The words spilled from her mouth in a nervous rush.
“Iamsure,” I cut her off. “And I’m in, all the way. You know why?”
Her silence was my cue.
“Because….” I swallowed hard, bracing myself for this confession. “Because you’ve unlocked something inside me, Ester. You’ve awakened an emotion that for so long, I’d been afraid to name.” I paused, letting my words sink in for a moment. “But after all that we’ve been through together, and now this amazing gift in your womb…I’ve come to the conclusion that what I feel for you is….”
The anticipation in her gaze was clear, her breath hitched in her throat.
I stared deeper into those stormy gray eyes before dropping the word like a bombshell. “Love.”
She let out a soft exhale, her lips curling into a small smile. Ester’s fingers squeezed against mine, but she didn’t say a word. She just held my gaze, her eyes boring into mine as if searching for any signs of insincerity.
