His Queen To Claim (Book Two)✔️

22. Chapter Twenty-Two.

As I stood before the mirror, gazing at my barely noticeable baby bump, a mixture of anticipation and doubt overwhelmed me.

My once-flat stomach resembled a delicate roti, leaving me to question the veracity of my pregnancy. Could it be possible that the doctors had deceived me all along? These thoughts consumed me, casting a shadow of uncertainty over my entire pregnancy.

Just as I was lost in my contemplation, a sudden knock on the door interrupted my reverie. Hastily, I adjusted my shirt and opened the door, expecting to see the familiar faces of the twins or their mother. However, to my astonishment, it was Dimitri's father who stood there, his presence sending an unsettling shiver down my spine.

"Have a walk with me, princess," he uttered, causing my heart to plummet with a mix of fear and anxiety.

"M-my doctor advised me to rest adequately," I stammered, attempting to assert my need for rest.

But my words were swiftly silenced by the man before me, whose resemblance to both Dimitri and the twins, coupled with his commanding authority, left me feeling intimidated and powerless.

"It won't be for long," he stated, his tone brooking no argument. With a hesitant nod, I reluctantly agreed, sensing that the consequences would not be favorable if I refused his request.

Inwardly, I seethed with frustration, directing my silent anger toward the twins and Dimitri for their absence during my time of greatest need. Once again, they had let me down when I needed their support the most.

Recalling our previous encounters, I knew all too well that Dimitri's father had not exactly been fond of me. My imagination ran wild, contemplating the words he was about to utter and the possible repercussions they would carry.

Walking alongside him through the hall, my nerves were a jumbled wreck, with an oppressive silence hanging heavily between us. The direction we were heading was familiar, as Dimitri had previously guided me to his father's office.

"Do you love him?" he questioned, his words cutting through the air as we entered his office. Caught off guard, my heart raced uncontrollably, and I felt a sudden surge of discomfort as if I were being interrogated.

"E-excuse me?" I stuttered, my voice trembling in response to the unexpected inquiry.

"I'm quite certain you're not deaf," he replied, his gaze fixed upon me with unwavering intensity.

"Yes, I do love Dimitri," I replied honestly, the truth ringing in my words.

"Do you have any inkling of what Dimitri will have to endure for the two of you to be together, even though, in reality, it's an unlikely prospect?" His words pierced my heart, causing it to sink even further.

"Have you ever heard the name Leandra?" he continued, not giving me a chance to respond.

"No, should I?" I asked, my heart throbbing painfully within my chest.

"Leandra was Dimitri's former girlfriend, before her life was abruptly taken by Sofia, a name I'm sure you are familiar with," Dimitri's father stated, his words punctuated by the flicker of a lit cigar. Each syllable struck me like a heavy blow, intensifying the ache in my heart.

I knew deep down that this conversation was headed in a direction I did not like. Being with Dimitri was the only thing I desired, but it seemed to be one of the greatest challenges I had ever faced. Every external factor and circumstance seemed determined to tear us apart, even though we weren't even together.

"Leandra and Dimitri had shared a profound connection, a love that knew no bounds. She was undoubtedly the woman who had captured Dimitri's heart completely, the one he had promised to protect at all costs. But tragedy struck when Dimitri let his guard down, providing Sofia with the opportunity to take Leandra's life. Before that fatal incident, Sofia had already inflicted injuries on fourteen of Dimitri's men, claiming the lives of two."