Page 160 of Baby Surprise for my Brother's Best Friend

I close my eyes and try to breathe. But every inhale feels like shards of glass scraping down my throat.

I wasn’t there when she needed me most. I walked away. I left her alone. And it nearly cost me everything.

Nikolai returns, his expression grim but resolute. "It’s done. The police have Natalia. She’s being detained, and the Orlovs will make sure she never gets near you or Sophie again."

I nod, swallowing the swell of rage that still simmers under my skin.

It’s not justice, but it’s something. One less threat. One more promise I can keep.

Denver arrives, breathless and pale.

He storms up to me, fury in his eyes. "What the hell happened, Alessio? You were supposed to protect her!"

“I know.” My voice is low, wrecked.

“No, you don’t know! You left her. You left her vulnerable! And now she’s in a fucking hospital bed because you thought walking away was noble?”

He throws his hands out, his voice rising. “Do you know what it was like getting that call? Knowing I couldn’t protect her, becauseyouwere supposed to?!”"

I flinch. Every word cuts deep, because I’ve said them to myself a hundred times already.

“I got there as fast as I coul—”

“Too late doesn’t count,” he snaps, stepping in close. “She trusted you. We all did.”

I don’t argue. I let the weight of his anger hit me full force, because he’s right. I thought I was doing the right thing. But it wasn’t strength that made me leave. It was fear. Fear of not being enough, of screwing everything up, of caring too damn much and losing her anyway.

Then something shifts in Denver’s face. The rage softens into something raw, grateful.

“But you saved her from only God knows what.” His voice breaks. “If you hadn't been there...maybe both of them....”

I nod, throat too tight to speak.

“She loves you,” he says, quieter now. “But if you want to be in this, you better fight for her every step of the way. Don’t just show up when things get bloody.”

I meet his eyes. “I know I fucked up. I know I don’t deserve a second chance. But I’m not walking away again.” I pause, breathing through the ache in my chest. “Not ever.”

I meet his stare. “I’ll fight for her. For our baby. For the life we almost lost today.” I press a hand to my heart. “Whatever it takes, Denver. I’m all in.”

Denver studies me for a long moment, then exhales hard through his nose. “Good,” he says finally, voice low. “Because if you ever put her through something like this again, you and I are going to have a different kind of conversation.”

Then, his tone softens. “Thank you… for saving her.”

I nod, emotion tightening my chest.

I turn fast when footsteps approach.

A doctor in pale blue scrubs. He’s older, steady, a clipboard in hand. No expression on his face. That blank kind of calm that only makes everything worse.

“Family of Sophie Henderson?”

“I’m her…yes. I’m with her. Alessio Marchetti.”

He nods, then glances down at his chart before meeting my gaze.

“She’s stable.”

The words hit me like air after drowning. My knees nearly buckle.

---