Page 132 of The Don's Arranged Marriage

He takes another step closer, the bouquet still offered to me.

"Diana, I love you. And I promise you, everything I do from now on will be to make you happy, to protect you and cherish you. Please, give me a chance to prove it."

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes as I accept the roses, their sweet fragrance enveloping me as I hold them close.

The shock of Anthony's confession hits me like a tidal wave, leaving me breathless and trembling.

My heart hammers in my chest as I stare at him, the bouquet of roses clutched tightly in my hands, threatening to crush the delicate petals.

My eyes widen, and my lips part in an inaudible gasp, as if trying to make sense of this sudden turn of events.

I need to ask.

"Anthony... How? How did you find me here?" I ask, my voice barely a whisper, as if speaking louder might cause this surreal moment to shatter and disappear.

He hesitates for a moment, his gaze flickering down to the ground before meeting mine once again.

He takes a deep breath, running a hand through his dark hair.

"It wasn't easy. I used my computer skills to track your online presence, found some clues that led me here. I know it may seem invasive, but I needed to be sure you were safe, especially with my father... and the Mafia."

His words send a chill down my spine, reminding me of the danger that always seems to hover just beyond the horizon when it comes to Anthony and his family.

But even so, a warm glow begins to spread through my chest at the thought of him going to such lengths to find me.

"Anthony," I say softly, my voice heavy with emotion.

"Thank you. I can't imagine what you went through to find me, but... I'm glad you did."

He looks at me with a mix of relief and vulnerability, his dark eyes searching mine for any sign of rejection.

"You're not angry that I tracked you down?"

"Surprised, yes. But not angry," I admit, allowing a small, tentative smile to grace my lips.

"I... I didn't know if I'd ever see you again, and there were so many things left unsaid between us."

"Then let's not waste any more time," he says, his voice low and urgent as he reaches for my hand, gently intertwining his fingers with mine.

"I want to know everything about you, Diana. And I want you to know everything about me."

“Mm-hmm,” I say, nodding my head.

Then, he comes closer, takes me in his arms.

I place mine around his neck.

But, to my shock, he takes a step back.

That warmth in his eyes is now replaced with confusion.

The center between his eyebrows is squinted together, and he slowly, very slowly, inches his gaze down to my belly.

“Diana …” he asks, now paling as he takes in the slight swell of my belly.

Something that had gone unnoticed in the heat of the moment.

After all, he hadn’t seen me in weeks, and all he had his eyes on so far was my face.

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