Page 87 of Of Oaths and Secrets

“Yes, as I was saying, her conditions—particularly lupus—do present certain risks. It’s crucial for her to attend regular checkups, maintain a balanced lifestyle, and reduce stress. We’ll be monitoring closely to manage any complications that might arise.”

Rafaele’s gaze shifts to me, piercing and unwavering, and the disappointment I see there stings more than I could have imagined.

“So,” he says, voice tight, “how risky is her pregnancy?”

“The baby is fine, Rafaele.” I try to reassure him, but his look is enough to make me wish I could vanish.

“I’m speaking to your doctor, Nora,” he replies. “We’ll discuss things later.” He turns back to the doctor, his voice steely. “I mean her. Is her life at risk?”

The doctor clears his throat, picking up on the tension but remaining professional. “Yes, Mrs. Lucchese’s conditions—lupus and fibromyalgia—increase certain risks. Lupus, particularly, can lead to complications if not carefully monitored, but withregular checkups and reducing stress, we can manage this. She’ll need strong support.”

“Understood,” Rafaele replies, his tone soft but carrying an intensity I’ve only ever heard when he’s deadly serious. He watches the doctor as though committing every word to memory.

The doctor nods. “But as I was saying, this incident was benign. Spotting in early pregnancy is fairly common. Coming in was absolutely the right choice.” He offers me a nod. “I commend Mrs. Lucchese for her diligence.”

“Yes, indeed,” Rafaele replies. “Mrs. Lucchese is quite diligent.” The underlying threat in his voice sends a chill through me.

The doctor clears his throat and gives a polite nod. “I’ll go prepare the discharge paperwork. Feel free to get ready.”

Once the doctor leaves, silence settles over the room like a storm waiting to break. Rafaele turns back to me, his expression a painful mix of hurt and determination.

“You kept this from me, Nora,” he says, his voice quiet but edged with accusation. “You kept your life from me.”

I swallow, whispering, “I swear, I’ll do everything to give you a healthy heir. I promise?—”

His eyes flash with sudden fury, his voice dropping to a dangerous growl. “Do you really think I give a damn about an heir if it means losing you? It’s you, Nora. You’re the only one who matters to me. I should have known about these risks before I ever touched you, before I ever thought of making you mine.” He breaks off, running a hand through his hair, his frustration raw and exposed. “If I’d known…”

I look away, the implication of his words pressing heavily. “And that’s exactly why I didn’t tell you. Because now you see me as weak—you see the disease before you see the woman. You’re just like my parents.” A tearless sob escapes me.

He recoils as if I’d struck him, hurt flashing across his face. “You think… how?” His voice is ragged, disbelief thick in every word. “How can you believe that? After everything we’ve been through, everything I’ve told you?” He leans forward, his gaze fierce, unyielding. “Nora, there is nothing in this world that could make me see you as weak. Nothing. From the moment you looked me in the eyes that day and chose me, I knew you were a force to be reckoned with, and knowing this… it only makes me love and respect you more.” He scrubs his hand over his face, his eyes softening with something almost like awe. “I love you, Nora Lucchese, with all of my blackened heart and every piece of my soiled soul.”

I stare at him, speechless. Those words—words I never thought I’d hear—spill from him with raw intensity. I feel it in his voice, see it in the slight tremor in his hand as he reaches for mine.

“You can’t leave me, Nora,” he continues, his voice softer but just as fierce. “Not now, not ever. Not when you’ve made my heart bleed for you. I don’t want this baby if it’s not with you. I want you—and only you.”

I’ve seen Rafaele without his shields before, but never as vulnerable or human as he is now—and it’s all because of me.

I squeeze his hand, feeling the weight of my own guilt. “I should have told you, but the longer I waited, the more I wanted to be the woman you thought you married.”

“Damn it, Nora. Youarethe woman I thought I married. Actually, that’s not even true—you’re so much more. You’ve changed my view on everything. My life shifted on its axis, and now, you’re the center of it.” He takes a breath, his voice breaking just slightly. “I know you don’t love me, I know that… and it’s okay. But if you could?—”

“Stupid man.”

He frowns. “Okay?”

I smile through my tears. “If you think I’m foolish for doubting you, then how could you not see that I love you too? Despite all my efforts to guard myself, Rafaele, you’re the man I’ve always dreamed of.”

His brows lift, a look of disbelief crossing his face. “You dreamed of marrying The Reaper?”

A faint smile plays on my lips, soft yet sincere. "Maybe not The Reaper himself," I say quietly, "but a man with fierce loyalty, strength, and… an unexpected softness. A man who lets me be myself and spread my wings. A man who loves me and wants me to be happy."

His hand tightens around mine, and his gaze softens, reaching a place deep inside me that no one else has touched. "Then maybe you were meant to marry The Reaper after all," he murmurs, his thumb brushing gently over my knuckles. He brings my hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to it. "But don’t lie to me again, Nora. I need to know I can trust you fully, that there’s no doubt lurking in the back of my mind."

I nod, giving him this promise, heavy with guilt but grounded in resolve. "I won’t, I swear."

He studies my face, his eyes searching mine as if reading my thoughts, seeing straight through me as he always does. Today’s fear tore through me, and the only person I truly wanted by my side was him—his quiet strength, his unyielding presence. And I denied myself that by keeping this secret. I won’t make that mistake again.

"Is there anything else you want to tell me while we wait for the discharge?" His voice is softer, an invitation more than a demand.

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