“Please don’t tell him.”
The doctor raises a brow. “You don’t want Renat to know?”
“I’ll tell him,” I say. “Just not yet. Not like this. It’s not something he should hear from someone else.”
After a moment of study, he nods. “Your secret is safe with me.”
“Thank you.”
He finishes his notes, packs his bag, and leaves me with a nod. I wait until the door closes before reaching for my phone.
I scroll to Amelia’s name and dial. She picks up on the second ring.
“Are you okay? I’ve been trying?—”
“I’m fine,” I whisper, glancing toward the hallway. “But I need to see you. Tomorrow morning. Your place.”
“I’ll be there. What time?”
“Eight?”
“Done.”
We hang up.
I sit on the edge of the examination table, phone pressed to my chest, panic building silently inside me.
That night, I don’t sleep.
The next morning, Renat is already in the sitting room when I come downstairs. His eyes sweep over me, but he doesn’t press. He doesn’t ask any questions.
“I need to see Amelia,” I say as I slip on my sandals. “She’s worried.”
His eyebrows knit together. “You can go. But Yavin goes with you.”
“Fine,” I say, trying not to bristle. “But he waits in the car.”
He nods once and gestures toward the door where Yavin is already waiting, stoic and silent, arms crossed over his chest.
The drive is quiet. Yavin parks across from Amelia’s building and stays in the car, true to our deal. I make my way up the steps and knock.
Amelia opens the door in a pale blue robe, worry lines carved into her face. She pulls me into a tight hug before I can even say hello.
“I didn’t sleep a damn second,” she mutters, dragging me to the couch. “You sounded… I don’t know. Scared.”
“I am.”
She tucks her legs beneath her, face softening. “What’s going on?”
I take her hand. My voice comes out smaller than I expected.
“I’m pregnant.”
Her jaw drops. “You’re sure?”
I nod. “I took the test last night. Renat had his private doctor check me over. He figured it out before I did.”
She squeezes my hand, eyes shining. “It’s his?”