HAZEL

Ronan dispatches men to chase down his deranged best friend who ran off with Gwen.

Guilt keeps me pacing back and forth as I struggle to image how my kidnapped friend is feeling right now.

"For all it's worth..." Ronan says as he watches me pace from behind his desk. "Walker is not a bad guy."

"God, he kidnapped a woman, Ronan. How could you support that?"

I glare at him, but then I realize I'm trying to direct my anger at someone and that's not fair. Ronan is only trying to make me feel better. He's our only hope because he's dispatching assets to search for Gwen.

"I don't support this decision of his, but I know that he's not violent towards the innocent. He enlisted to protect the people. And that will never change no matter how many years pass."

I rub my face, trying to force back the negative thoughts. I must have hope.

"Okay," I reply. "Let's just get her back. Only she can tell us what he is like."

He nods and picks up the phone to continue business.

I continue my pacing, suspecting that I won't be getting much sleep tonight.

God, how am I even going to tell Gwen's mom? I don't think I can. My mother would be a more comforting voice. I'll have to ask mom to speak with her and break the news. The two of them will have a bond, given that they're both mothers.

Me...I'm not there quite yet. This baby and I have a long way to go.

I touch my lower stomach as I pace, thinking of the life inside and why it's important for me to manage my stress.

"Does your stomach hurt?"

I nearly jump out of my skin when Ronan's deep voice reaches me.

"Yes," I reply. "It's the nerves."

He sighs, seeming worried.

I'll have to tell him my secret soon. But I don't want to take the focus away from Gwen right now. She deserves everyone's attention.

Ronan and I stay in his office for a couple more hours, hoping to hear news, but the phone never rings.

I have no appetite, but decide that I must force myself to eat. My body needs nourishment more than ever.

Ronan and I enjoy dinner in the same kitchen we passionately had sex in. But this time, there's no warmth or excitement in the room. Only a looming tension.

Ronan keeps his hand at my thigh, inches away from my abdomen. I wish he knew how much I appreciate his reassuring touch.

I force myself to eat. It takes me a long time to realize that Ronan finished his dinner long ago but remains beside me as I nibble on my food. He's silent but present—just like he was all those months ago when his hooded figure entered my life.

I miss those days. They were simpler. I just didn't know it then.

—

Every morning, I wake up desperate for updates. I'm hopeful that Ronan gets news about Gwen, but it never comes.

All we know is that she arrived at the estate and is secured behind a tall metal fence that surrounds the estate and armed guards that patrol the grounds.

Ronan's men cannot advance because they are out-numbered.

It seems like Gwen is stuck for the foreseeable future, and there is nothing I can do about it.

It becomes easier to adjust to the new reality with every passing day. I met with her mother once, and we tearfully talked about memories of Gwen.

A few weeks pass, and I become distracted by my glaring pregnancy. It's becoming increasingly hard to hide my morning sickness from Ronan.

I have to tell him before he gets worried that I'm ill. I have to tell him tonight.

I don't know why I'm so nervous about admitting it. We knew this could happen when we were being reckless.

I'm happy about this gift. I truly am. And I know Ronan will be content too. My only worry is the aftermath, when he starts picturing the future.

I cook dinner for us and invite him to our private kitchen. He brings some paperwork with him, thinking this is another simple meal we're sharing.

He doesn't know this is the most impactful night of our lives.

"Hey..." I clear my throat. "Nice weather we're having today, right?"

He glances outside, his scarred, handsome face frowning.

"Not quite. It's storming and grey."

Shit. How do you tell a man of this caliber that he fertilized one of your eggs?

Thunder shakes the estate, and I smile at Ronan sheepishly.

"There's something I have to tell you."