Page 90 of The Pakhan's Sold Bride

He stands up and walks out, clearly not wanting to talk to me.

It hurts. It breaks my heart.

He didn’t even comment on the news.

He didn’t say he was happy or sad.

He didn’t want to talk.

Give him time, Lara. He just needs time.

Chapter 25 - Nestor

Walking out of the room and leaving her lying in bed is so difficult for me. I want to ask her a thousand questions.

I want to know why she hid this from me.

She knew I wanted a child, we’d spoken about it before, so why wouldn’t she tell me that she’s pregnant?

I sigh heavily as I take the stairs, headed to the kitchen to make her tea.

There could be a simple explanation. Just one I don’t want to accept.

She doesn’t want the baby and was planning to end the pregnancy before I found out about it. Does she not want to be with me?

The idea stirs anger and resentment in me.

No, stop, you can’t jump to conclusions.

There must be some way for me to get my mind to stop racing in looping circles. I can’t drown her with my questions and worries now. The doctor made it clear. She needs rest. The last thing she needs so drama.

I have to wait until she’s ready to talk, and I have to give her space to heal from what she’s been through.

Over the next few days, Lara is on bed rest, but she moves to her own room, which hurts even more. I haven’t spoken to her at all about the pregnancy. In fact, I haven’t spoken to her about anything. My questions are limited to asking her how she’s feeling, and then leaving her in peace.

I’m going crazy.

I can’t take much more of this.

I need to know what’s going on with her.

Or you need to accept that she doesn’t want it and be a fucking man and get over it.

I’ve spent the day pacing again. Another day locked in this state of rejection and confusion.

I love her. It means nothing if she doesn’t love you too, Nestor.

My mother is coming to visit me today. She was horrified when she found out what happened with Miron, and she wanted to come over right away, but I asked her to give me a little time.

She insisted on coming today.

I guess she is as restless as I am; this news must be shocking to her, finding out I was right the entire time, even though she didn’t want to believe it.

I have the chef set up a table of snacks and drinks outside on the patio. My mother is fond of her tea spreads, and it takes my mind off everything else to arrange them for her.

When she arrives, she doesn’t even say hello—she just wraps her arms around me and hugs me tight.

“I’m so sorry, Nestor. I honestly didn’t believe it.”

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