Semua Bab Surrogate For The Mafia Lord: Bab 51 - Bab 60

ArmaniMy heart hammers against my ribs like a wild thing seeking freedom. I've never felt such pure, uncomplicated joy—not when I acquired my first company, not when I inherited my title, not even when Rena agreed to carry my child. This moment transcends everything."Are you absolutely certain?" I drop to one knee beside the bench where Rena sits, the courtyard's flowering shrubs creating a natural frame around her. I take her hand and press it to my lips, feeling the softness of her skin against mine. "I promise to cherish every—""We're already married, you know," Rena interrupts with a laugh that makes the spring air seem warmer. She gently extracts her fingers from mine, her cheeks blooming with color as she notices an elderly couple meandering through the courtyard. "We don't need to do the whole knee thing again."I rise to settle beside her on the bench, our shoulders touching. "Let them watch," I say, unable to contain the happiness that seems to radiate from my very core. "

Armani is quiet for a moment, then says, "I've never thought about it that way. Perhaps that's why..." He trails off, looking thoughtful."Why what?""Perhaps that's why I've always surrounded myself with people, with activity. Parties, social events, relationships that never went too deep." He smiles ruefully. "It's easier than being alone with your thoughts."The vulnerability in his admission touches something deep inside me. This is a side of Armani I've glimpsed only rarely—the man beneath the charming, confident exterior."Well, now you're alone with me," I say softly. "And your thoughts."His eyes darken slightly. "I'm finding I don't mind it as much as I expected."We eat in comfortable silence for a few minutes, the only sounds the distant city beyond the balcony and the occasional turning of pages somewhere in the vast library. I take the opportunity to appreciate our surroundings again, turning to look back at the endless rows of books, the soaring ceiling with its painted

CHAPTER 56 ArmaniThe palace loomed before us, its ancient stone façade gleaming in the late afternoon sun. I gazed up at the towering spires, feeling a strange mix of pride and apprehension. It had been years since I'd spent more than a day within these walls, and now here I stood with my heavily pregnant wife, about to witness my cousin claim the throne that had been awaiting him since birth."Are you sure you're feeling up to this?" I whispered to Rena, squeezing her hand as our car pulled up to the grand entrance.She turned to me with that radiant smile that still made my heart skip. Her free hand rested protectively over her swollen belly. "I've never felt better," she replied, though the slight crease between her brows told me otherwise. "Besides, I wouldn't miss this for the world. How often does one get to see a coronation?""Not often," I admitted, helping her from the car. "But if you start feeling unwell, even for a moment—""I know, I know," she laughed, the sound like w

RanaePain. That's the first thing I notice when I wake up. My head feels like someone's hammering nails into it."Owww," I moan softly, but even that small sound makes the pain worse. I can hear my heartbeat pounding in my ears, each throb matching the ache in my skull.I try to touch my head, but my arms feel so heavy. It's like moving through thick honey. Everything is slow."What happened to me?" I whisper to myself. "Why do I feel so terrible?"After what feels like forever, my fingers find a bump on the back of my head. When I touch it, pain shoots through me."Ouch!" I gasp. "How did I get this—"And then I remember. Stephan. Walking down that old hallway. Hearing him talk on the phone about someone who should be king instead of Andrew. The fear when he saw me listening. The look in his eyes right before everything went black.My eyes fly open in panic. "Stephan hit me," I say out loud, my voice shaking. "He knocked me out."A new, more terrible fear grips me. My baby. My preci

RenaIn, out. In, out. I focus on my breathing. Six counts in through my nose. Six counts out through my mouth. Again and again."Keep it steady," I whisper to myself, my voice barely audible in the darkness. "Just keep breathing."When I concentrate on counting my breaths, the pounding of my heart slows down. The tight feeling in my chest loosens a little. For a few precious moments, I can almost forget where I am.Then another contraction grips me, and fear floods back like a tidal wave."Oh!" I gasp, clutching my belly. The pain builds, peaks, then slowly fades.When it passes, I'm shaking all over. "What am I going to do?" I ask the darkness.My throat feels raw from all the screaming. Hours of calling for help, and no one has come. No one can hear me in this hidden room. And Armani—my sweet, worried husband—how would he even know where to look? I don't even know where I am.A sob bubbles up from my chest, scratching its way through my damaged throat."Stop it," I tell myself fir