Chapter 4 - When Lucian Walked In
The police took Ethan away forty minutes later.
Norah gave her statement.
Maya gave hers.
The cafe manager turned over the security footage.
Lucian never left Norah's side.
But he barely spoke.
That frightened her.
Back at the apartment, Norah stood near the bedroom window.
Lucian entered carrying tea.
He placed it beside her.
“Doctor's coming.”
Norah turned.
“What?”
“I want your neck checked.”
“Lucian—”
“Please.”
One word.
No command.
She nodded.
“Okay.”
He turned away.
“Lucian.”
He stopped.
“Are you angry?”
His back remained toward her.
“Yes.”
Her chest tightened.
He faced her.
“Not with you.”
“I should have told you Ethan was there.”
“Yes.”
“I asked Gideon not to call you.”
“I know.”
“I went back inside.”
“I know.”
“I made stupid decisions.”
Lucian crossed the room.
“Stop.”
She fell silent.
“You made decisions while frightened.”
“I lied to you this morning.”
“Yes.”
“You knew.”
“I knew something was wrong.”
Norah stared at him.
“Why didn't you push?”
“Because you're my wife.”
He paused.
“Not my prisoner.”
Her eyes burned.
She looked away.
Lucian noticed.
“There's something else.”
Norah's heart began pounding.
“Norah.”
She couldn't keep it hidden anymore.
“I'm pregnant.”
Silence.
Lucian didn't move.
She immediately misread it.
“Say something.”
His lips parted.
Nothing came.
“Lucian.”
“How long?”
“Nine weeks. Maybe ten.”
He sat down.
That frightened her more.
“You're upset.”
“No.”
“You look upset.”
“I’m trying very hard not to scare you.”
“Why would you scare me?”
His eyes lifted.
Because they were wet.
Norah stopped breathing.
Lucian Moretti—the man she'd seen face armed enemies without blinking—looked completely overwhelmed.
“You're sure?”
She nodded.
“Three tests.”
He looked toward her stomach.
Then back at her.
“Can I?”
Norah understood.
She took his hand.
Placed it gently against her abdomen.
Lucian stared at his hand.
“We're having a baby?”
A laugh escaped her through tears.
“That's generally what pregnant means.”
For the first time that day, Lucian smiled.
Then it disappeared.
“You were afraid to tell me.”
Norah's smile faded.
“I was afraid of what it meant.”
“My world.”
“Yes.”
Lucian nodded slowly.
“I understand.”
“Do you?”
“Yes.”
He removed his hand.
“That world ends now.”
Norah stared at him.
“What?”
“I've been leaving it piece by piece because I thought slow was safer.”
“Lucian—”
“I was wrong.”
“You can't just walk away.”
“I can.”
“It isn't that simple.”
“No.”
His eyes hardened.
“It isn't.”
He stood.
“But I'm going to do it anyway.”
“Because I'm pregnant?”
“Because you shouldn't have to wonder whether telling your husband you're carrying his child puts that child in danger.”
He looked toward the city.
“And because I should've finished this before asking you to build a life with me.”
Norah approached him.
“I don't need you to become somebody else.”
Lucian looked at her.
“Good.”
He took her hand.
“Because I'm not becoming somebody else.”
“What are you becoming?”
His thumb moved over her wedding ring.
“Available.”
She laughed despite herself.
“For what?”
Lucian's expression softened.
“For two o'clock dinners.”
“For doctor's appointments.”
“For terrible children's birthday parties.”
Norah laughed harder.
“For assembling furniture incorrectly at midnight.”
“You'll hire someone.”
“I absolutely will.”
“And pretend you built it.”
“Obviously.”
She rested her forehead against his chest.
His arms slowly surrounded her.
Then he whispered:
May you like
“And for making sure our child never has to wonder whether their father is coming home.”
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