Kate's POV:

I woke up to the sound of muffled laughter and the soft clicking of a camera. Squinting against the morning light, I groaned, realizing Lucio was the culprit behind the disturbance.

"Lucio, stop it!" I groaned, pulling the blanket over my face.

His laughter filled the room, deep and unapologetic, and it only fueled my irritation. "You look adorable," he said, lowering the camera for a moment but not putting it away.

"Lucio," I warned, peeking out from under the blanket. "Put the camera down, or—"

I stopped mid-sentence, an idea sparking in my mind. If he wanted to mess with me, I could mess with him. With the most panicked voice I could muster, I screamed, "Lucio, the baby!"

His face turned ghostly pale in an instant, and he froze like a deer in headlights. "What? The baby? What's wrong?" he stammered, dropping the camera onto the bed.

I watched him tug at his hair, pacing back and forth as he muttered, "Okay, okay, what do I do? Should we call a doctor? Should I—"

I couldn't hold it in any longer. A burst of laughter escaped me as I clutched my stomach, unable to stop the tears streaming from my eyes. His panic was priceless.

He stopped dead in his tracks, narrowing his green eyes at me. "You're joking?" His tone was low, dangerous even, but I couldn't stop laughing.

"Lucio, you should've seen your face!" I wheezed, pointing at him while doubling over.

A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, but it didn't last. He stalked toward me, his presence suddenly overwhelming. "Oh, you think that's funny, do you?" he murmured, his voice low and teasing.

My laughter died instantly as I backed up against the headboard. "Lucio," I warned, but he was already crawling onto the bed.

"You shouldn't have done that, Kate," he said, his voice a velvet threat. He leaned in, his lips dangerously close to mine, his hands bracketing me against the bed. My heart raced as his gaze dropped to my lips, then trailed lower.

I gulped, my breath hitching as his fingers traced a slow, deliberate path along my thigh, stopping just shy of the hem of his oversized shirt I was wearing. "Lucio, stop," I whispered, though my voice lacked conviction.

He leaned in closer, brushing his lips against my ear. "Or else what?" he whispered, his breath warm against my skin.

Before I could answer, his lips found the sensitive spot on my neck, nibbling and sucking until a moan escaped me involuntarily. His hands gripped my hips, and I felt heat pool in my stomach. My body betrayed me, my hormones pushing me toward him.

But just as quickly as it began, he pulled back, leaving me breathless and flushed. "That's what," he said with a wicked grin.

"Lucio," I hissed, glaring at him.

He chuckled, planting a quick kiss on my lips before pulling away completely. "Get ready. Emily and Kay are taking you shopping today," he said, standing and grabbing his phone. "I have work, but I'll be back before you know it."

I narrowed my eyes at him, still trying to regulate my breathing. "Lucio, you—"

"Love you," he cut in with a smirk before walking out of the room.

After getting ready, I made my way downstairs, finding Emily and Kay waiting for me. I was greeted by the aroma of breakfast, and my stomach growled on cue.

"Finally!" Emily exclaimed, linking her arm with mine. "You're always slow these days."

"Pregnancy does that," I muttered, rolling my eyes as Kay giggled.

As we sat down to eat, Emily's sharp eyes caught something on my neck. She leaned in, her expression quickly turning amused. "Kate," she said, holding up a small, compact mirror. "Care to explain this?"

I took the mirror, frowning as I angled it to see my reflection. My face burned when I noticed the prominent hickey on my neck. "Damn it, Lucio," I muttered, snapping the mirror shut.

Emily burst into laughter. "My brother is so possessive. It's honestly ridiculous. That's his way of saying, 'Back off, she's mine.'"

Kay snorted, adding, "As if anyone would dare with Lucio around."

The sound of footsteps interrupted us, and I turned to see Lucio walking into the kitchen. His sharp green eyes immediately found me, and his lips curled into a satisfied smirk. "Were you talking about me?" he asked, his voice dripping with arrogance.

I shot him a glare. "You're insufferable."

"I'm protective," he corrected, walking over to me. He leaned down, his lips brushing against my ear as he murmured, "You're mine, Kate."

"Ugh, enough with the possessive crap!" Emily groaned, grabbing my hand. "We're going to the mall now. Try not to overthink things while we're gone, Lucio."

As we walked out the door, Lucio called after me, his voice full of warning. "Kate, if any man even looks at you, I'll kill him!"

"Drama queen," Emily muttered, shaking her head as we climbed into the car.

At the mall, Emerald linked her arm with mine as we stepped inside, her excitement palpable. "Okay, Kate, we're here to make you feel like a queen. So, let's get started," she declared, her grin contagious.

Kay trailed behind us, rolling her eyes playfully. "More like a pregnant queen who needs stretchy pants and comfy shoes."

"Comfy shoes are a must," I muttered, rubbing my back as we passed through the bright, bustling corridor.

Emerald stopped in front of a high-end maternity boutique, the display windows showcasing chic dresses and comfortable yet stylish clothing. "This is it," she announced. "We're starting here."

The sales associate greeted us warmly as we entered, her eyes lighting up when she spotted my growing belly. "Welcome, ladies! Looking for something special today?"

"Yes," Emerald chimed in. "She needs everything—dresses, pants, tops, and whatever else will make her feel fabulous."

"I just need basics," I countered, but Emerald waved me off.

"Basics, my ass," she retorted. "You deserve to look and feel amazing."

As the sales associate began pulling items from the racks, I glanced around nervously. A few people turned their heads in our direction, some whispering to each other. Lucio's words about men "eye-raping" me came flooding back, and I found myself tugging at the hem of my oversized shirt.

"Relax," Kay said, noticing my discomfort. "No one's going to mess with you. Not with Lucio in the picture."

I gave her a tight smile, but my unease didn't entirely fade.

After what felt like hours, I stood in the dressing room, staring at my reflection. The soft, flowy dress hugged my curves in all the right places, accentuating my baby bump without making me feel like a walking balloon.

Emerald's voice called out from the other side of the curtain. "How's it going in there?"

"It's...okay," I replied, stepping out cautiously.

Her face lit up as she saw me. "You look stunning!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands together.

Kay nodded in agreement. "You do, Kate. Lucio's going to lose his mind when he sees you in that."

At the mention of Lucio, my mood soured slightly. "It's not for him," I muttered. "It's for me—and the baby."

"Of course it is," Emerald said quickly, her tone reassuring. "But don't deny he'll be drooling."

We continued shopping for a few more hours, Emerald insisting on splurging on items I would have never picked for myself. Dresses, jeans, leggings, comfortable yet stylish tops—it felt endless.

By the time we reached the food court, I was exhausted. Emerald ordered enough food for an army while Kay and I found a table.

"You okay?" Kay asked, handing me a bottle of water.

"Yeah," I said, leaning back in my chair. "Just tired. This baby is really making me work for it."

Kay chuckled, her gaze softening. "You're going to be an amazing mom, Kate. Don't doubt that."

I gave her a small smile, her words giving me a little boost of confidence. As the food arrived, my stomach growled loudly, earning laughs from both of them.

"Lucio would have a heart attack if he saw you eating all of this," Emerald teased, handing me a plate piled high with fries and a burger.

"Let him," I said with a grin, digging in.

We spent the next hour talking and laughing, the tension I had been holding onto slowly melting away. It felt good to be out of the house, to feel somewhat normal again.

As we walked back to the car, arms loaded with bags, Emerald suddenly stopped, her expression serious. "Kate, I have to ask. Are you really okay with all of this—with Lucio being back in your life?"

I hesitated, her question hitting a nerve. "I don't know," I admitted. "I'm still angry at him for everything, but...I know he's trying. For the baby's sake, I have to let him. But that doesn't mean I've forgiven him completely."

Emerald nodded, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "Take your time, Kate. He'll wait for as long as you need."

We loaded the bags into the trunk and drove back to the house, my thoughts swirling. I wasn't sure how this was all going to work, but for the first time in months, I felt a glimmer of hope.