shadows of deceit by author berryy

CHAPTER 18

The kid was the ray of the sunshine

Later that night when they both lay there, on the bed. Lila asked him in a small voice, "Ryker?".

He replied with a humm.

Lila cleared her thought as she asked,"you needed a heir, right?"

Ryker nodded at her with narrowed eyes.

"So does it have to be a....boy?", Lila asked.

Ryker frowned at her as he said," no Lila, a heir is a heir- girl or a boy"

Lila's eyes sparkled with amusement, her voice teasing. "Oh, Ryker, you're so practical. But what if our child is a girl? Will you be disappointed?"

Ryker's expression softened, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Disappointed? No, Lila. I don't care about the gender. And besides, a girl could be just as ruthless and cunning as a boy.....just like you", he said with a smirk.

Lila laughed, her body shaking with mirth. "Ruthless and cunning? You make our future child sound like a mini-mafia boss."

Ryker's gaze locked onto hers, his voice low and husky. "Well, they'll need to be tough to survive in this world. And I'll always protect them"

"Them? Thought you wanted a single heir", Lila teased him.

Ryker glared at her with a playful expression.

Lila's gaze drifted away, her voice barely above a whisper. "And what if I fail to produce a heir, Ryker? What then?"

Ryker's expression turned cold, his eyes glinting in the dim light. "You won't fail, Lila. You're young and healthy. And if you do...there are other options."

Lila's heart skipped a beat, her mind racing with the implications. She knew what Ryker meant - other women, other possibilities. But she pushed the thought aside, focusing on the present.

"I see," she said, her voice neutral. "Well, let's hope it doesn't come to that."

Ryker's gaze locked onto hers, his eyes burning with intensity. "It won't, Lila. I have faith in you."

Ryker wasn't ready to tell her that it wouldn't be a bad thing if she doesn't get pregnant, because it will change everything. He married her because he needed to secure his legacy. But why married her was still not out.

Ryker's gaze lingered on her face, to find something. He rolled on his back and said in a low voice, "get some rest, little thief. We have a long day ahead of uss"

For a moment Lila forgot about everything and let herself dream about the future.

A family with Ryker.

But...

Soon her dream became the nightmare and all she heard was Roger and Tucker's voice.

Her body shook as she sobbed in her sleep, eyes closed and fists clenched.

Ryker wrapped his arms around her trying to calm her down but he knew she will have to wake up on her own.

Lila's eyes snapped open, her heart racing like a wild animal. She was drenched in sweat, her sheets tangled around her legs. Another nightmare.

She lay there for a moment, trying to catch her breath. The darkness of the room seemed to press in around her, making her skin crawl. She could still feel the echoes of fear, the lingering sense of dread.

Ryker's voice cut through the darkness, low and soothing. "Lila, it's okay. I'm here."

She felt his hand on her shoulder, his touch warm and comforting. She turned to him, her eyes adjusting to the dim light.