All Chapters of THE PREGNANT VIRGIN AND THE RUTHLESS HEIR : Chapter 111 - Chapter 120

Diane. The hospital corridor feels too bright, I sit there, but I don’t feel like I’m sitting. My body is still, but everything inside me is pacing, spiraling, refusing to settle.The smell of antiseptic clings to the air, sharp and cold, and every now and then a nurse passes by, their footsteps echoing in a way that makes the silence feel even heavier.Beside me is my son, Kumba, he seems restless.He hasn’t sat down properly since we got here. Even now, he is half standing and half leaning against the wall, his hands running through his hair over and over again like he’s trying to undo something that’s already been done and I watch him for a moment. Then the frustration rises again.“You left her alone,” I say, my voice low but sharp enough to cut through the silence.He stills slightly, “Mom”“You left her Kumba ,” I repeat, louder this time, the words fueled by fear more than anger, but they come out harsh anyway. “Alone in your house in her condition.”His jaw tightens, “I told

KumbaI hate seeing her cry.I've discovered a lot of things about myself in the past few days.That I panic when she's hurt.That I can't concentrate when she's upset.That hearing her laugh somehow improves my entire day.But this?Watching her break down in my arms?This is by far the worst feeling of all.I hold her against my chest while she cries quietly.Not dramatic tears.Not loud sobs.Those I could probably handleThese are the dangerous kind.The tears that come after someone has spent too long being strong.The tears that happen when the shock wears off and reality finally settles in.I feel every tremble in her body.Every shaky breath.Every broken piece of her trust.And with every second that passes, my anger toward Moraa grows.Not because she hurt Gesare physically.Though God knows that's enough.But because she stole something from her.Her sense of safety.Her ability to trust.The certainty that family means protection.I press a kiss against the top of her head

The motel room smells like stale cigarettes and bad decisions.I sit on the edge of the bed staring at the ugly floral wallpaper while my phone rests face down beside me, silent and too silent.The television plays some daytime talk show I haven't actually watched for the last hour.My mind is somewhere else.Back at the hospital.Back at Kumba's house.Back at the stairs.Always the stairs.I squeeze my eyes shut.But it doesn't help.It never helps.Because the image is burned into my brain now.Gesare falling.The sound of her body hitting the steps.The blood.God.The blood.My stomach twists violently.I stand abruptly and rush toward the tiny bathroom.A second later I'm kneeling in front of the toilet getting sick.Again.For what feels like the hundredth time.When it's over, I sit back against the cold wall breathing hard.Tears sting my eyes.Not because I'm sad.Not exactly.Because I'm exhausted.Because I'm scared.Because everything is falling apart.A loud knock sudden

I don't realize I've fallen asleep until a sharp knock at the hospital door jolts me awake.For one blissful second, I forget everything.Then I feel Kumba's arm around my shoulders.The ache in my body.The baby.Moraa.My eyes open slowly.The room is brighter now.Morning sunlight spills through the windows.And Kumba is still beside me.I must have fallen asleep against him sometime during the night because my cheek is resting against his chest.His arm is still wrapped around me protectively, it was warm solid and safe. The realization makes my heart do a stupid little flip.The knock comes again.Louder this time.Kumba stirs immediately.His arm tightens instinctively around me before he fully wakes.The movement sends an unexpected wave of emotion through me.Like some part of him was protecting me even in his sleep."Kumba," I whisper.His eyes open slowly.For a second he looks confused.Then his gaze drops to me.And immediately softens."Morning."His voice is rough from

For one blissful second, I forget everything.Then I feel Kumba's arm around my shoulders.The hospital bed beneath me.The ache in my body.The baby.Moraa.My eyes open slowly.The room is brighter now.Morning sunlight spills through the windows.And Kumba is still beside me.I must have fallen asleep against him sometime during the night because my cheek is resting against his chest.His arm is still wrapped around me protectively, it was warm solid and safe. The realization makes my heart do a stupid little flip.The knock comes again.Louder this time.Kumba stirs immediately.His arm tightens instinctively around me before he fully wakes.The movement sends an unexpected wave of emotion through me.Like some part of him was protecting me even in his sleep."Kumba," I whisper.His eyes open slowly.For a second he looks confused.Then his gaze drops to me.And immediately softens."Morning."His voice is rough from sleep.Ridiculously attractive.Not that I would ever tell him