Page 151 of Auctioned Innocence
The tears come harder now—relief and joy and overwhelming love for this tiny person I’ve only just learned exists.
“Can I…can I tell him now?” I ask, clutching the ultrasound pictures like precious treasures.
She laughs. “Of course. And Sofia? Congratulations. After everything you’ve been through, you deserve this happiness.”
When I return to Marco’s room, Dante looks up immediately from where he’s been reading security reports—even here, we can’t completely let our guard down. “Everything okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“More than okay.” I take his hand, my own still trembling slightly from the emotional weight of what I’ve just learned. “I need to show you something. Privately.”
Concern flickers across his features as I lead him to a quiet corner near the window overlooking the city. My hands shake as I locate the ultrasound pictures in my bag, suddenly nervous about his reaction. We never talked about children. Never planned for this. What if he’s not ready? What if this changes everything between us?
“Sofia?” His voice is rough with worry. “You’re scaring me. What did the doctor say?”
I bite my lip, gathering courage. “Remember that night in the penthouse? Our first night together? When we decided some things were worth the risk?”
He nods slowly, eyes searching my face.
“Well,” I say, holding out the ultrasound image with a trembling hand, “apparently this was one of those things.”
Understanding dawns in his eyes as he stares at the grainy black and white image. His face goes through a series of emotions—shock, wonder, fear, and finally pure joy.
“You’re…” He can’t seem to finish the sentence, just stares at the picture like it holds the secrets of the universe.
“Pregnant,” I whisper. “About six and a half weeks. The doctor says everything looks perfect, despite…well, despite everything we’ve been through.”
His gray eyes snap to mine, wide with amazement. “The baby’s okay? After the car crash, the fighting…”
“More than okay. Strong heartbeat, measuring exactly right. She said this little one’s a fighter.” My voice wobbles with emotion. “Just like their parents.”
For a moment, he just stares at me, then at the picture, then back at me again. I can practically see his mind processing this news, and my heart pounds waiting for his reaction.
“Dante?” I whisper. “Say something. Please.”
He answers by pulling me into a desperate kiss, one hand cradling the back of my head while the other moves protectively to my still-flat stomach. When we break apart, his eyes shine with unshed tears.
“Sofia,” he breathes, voice strangled. “You’re carrying my baby.”
“Ourbaby,” I correct, tears spilling over. “Is that…are you okay with this? I know we never planned?—”
“Okay?” He laughs shakily, cupping my face in his hands. “Sofia, this is the most incredible thing that’s ever happened to me.You’rethe most incredible thing that’s ever happened to me.”
He kisses me again, softer this time, reverent. “I love you. And I already love this baby more than I thought possible.”
“Even though it’s completely unplanned and our lives are insane?”
“Especiallybecause of that.” His thumb traces my cheek, wiping away tears. “This baby was created from love, Sofia. Pure love. In the middle of all that chaos and darkness, we made something beautiful.”
“We’re going to be parents,” I say, the reality finally sinking in.
“We’re going to be parents,” he repeats, wonder in his voice.
“Expanding the family business?” I tease.
He kisses me again, softer this time. “I love you. Both of you. So much.”
“Well, that’s good to hear.”
We spin to find Marco awake, watching us with a tired but genuinely happy smile.
