Gravensnod (manxman)

Chapter Ten

Alexei

~One day earlier~

I yawned while getting back onto the boat and sinking down onto a chair. It had been a few days since I saw Philo and my mind was racing of our time together. My fingers were itching to touch him again but my schedule had been so damn stressful. Every time I knocked on his door he was already asleep. Tonight I would finally have time to treat him right and kiss those lips that I've been craving.

"Your highness." Looking up I saw George with an odd look on his face. I then realized we were still at the dock.

"Why haven't we left yet? I'd like to get back to the castle."

"I understand your highness but, there's someone here who needs to speak with you. It is urgent."

"Alright." When he stepped aside my eyes widened while seeing Genevieve smiling at me. "Genevieve?"

She came over and sat down in front of me as George and everyone else left us alone. "We really need to talk."

I rolled my eyes while shifting in the chair while saying, "No, we really don't need to. We've said everything we needed to say before and-" I stopped talking once she pulled something out of her bag and slid it towards me. My eyes wandered down to the small piece of paper that was suddenly feeling extremely heavy in my hands. When I looked back up at her she had tears in her eyes.

"I'm sorry, I had no idea." When I glanced back down at it she said, "I went to the wedding but felt extremely sick the entire time. It wasn't getting better so I went to the hospital to just get checked out. And that's when I found out. I've been crying the entire time before coming back here to tell you."

My eyes closed before running my hands over my face. When I opened my eyes back up I asked, "How far?"

"Three months," she said as my eyes wandered down to her stomach.

"I can't believe this," I said while putting the ultrasound down onto the table. "How did this happen? We've always used protection and you're on birth control."

She wiped her eyes while saying, "I don't know either. But Alexei, you know I've never been with anyone else since we've been together. If you don't believe me you can get a paternity test done."

"Genevieve, I know you. I know you wouldn't make something like this up especially since we were already done. I just can't believe this is happening."

"Trust me, I know." She placed a hand onto her stomach before looking up at me. "I'll understand if you don't want to be apart of this."

I laughed emotionless while looking out the window. "First off, you know I've always wanted children. And I would never just abandon you when you're pregnant with my child. I just wasn't expecting this Genevieve."

"I know."

My hands ran over my face again before I picked up the ultrasound and stared at it. My heart was torn between two different people but knew I could never not choose my child. I wanted Philo in my life but now, that would never be a possibility.

****

Leaving Philo crying on the floor was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. It made me feel like such an absolute piece of shit and he had every right to hate me. I had tears streaming down my face before walking into the infirmary and instantly notice Ari awake. When he saw me he frowned as I walked over and sat next to his bed.