The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm, golden glow across the room. The soft rays of light reached inside, gently illuminating the space and creating a serene, almost ethereal atmosphere.

Rosetta lay nestled in Ronan's arms, their bodies entwined in a tender embrace. The sunlight caressed her face, highlighting the delicate contours of her features. It kissed her cheeks, which still bore the faint traces of dried tears from the pleasure of the night before and brought a soft radiance to her skin.

The room was filled with a comforting warmth, the sun's gentle touch a stark contrast to the coolness of the night before.

As the light continued to fill the room, Rosetta stirred slightly, her eyes fluttering open. She blinked against the brightness, a small, contented smile forming on her lips as she realized in which position she was.

Ronan's hand was protectively wrapped around her lower belly as she was flushed against him. Her head rested on his naked chest while their legs were intertwined. A smile graced her features, her cheeks red as she remembered last night's events. 

Ronan began to stir as he tightened his hold on Rosetta, pulling her closer to him. She felt the subtle vibrations of his breathing change, signalling he was waking up.

"Good morning," Ronan murmured, his voice deep and husky with sleep. The sound resonated through his chest, a low rumble that sent a shiver down her spine. His greeting was tender and intimate, carrying the warmth of the night they had shared and the promise of the day ahead.

Rosetta sighed and placed her hand on his arm which was wrapped around her. She didn't know how to feel in this beautiful moment. They weren't a couple, yet they had kissed and had sex again. What did this mean for her?

"How are you feeling?" he asked softly, placing his lips on the back of her neck as he wound his arm around her flat yet bumpy belly. "And my baby?"

Rosetta's heart skipped a beat at his words. She sat up abruptly, moving his arm away. Confusion flashed across Ronan's face as he watched her, trying to understand her sudden change in demeanour. She quickly grabbed the shirt she had worn yesterday and slipped it on, avoiding his questioning gaze.

Before he could ask what was wrong, Rosetta bolted toward the bathroom. Her stomach churned with morning sickness, and she barely made it to the sink before she started to retch. He was right behind her, his concern evident as he gently held her hair back and rubbed her back in soothing circles.

"Shh, it's okay," he murmured softly, his deep voice a calming presence. "You're alright, I'm here."

Rosetta felt a mix of gratitude and turmoil in his behaviour. He was being so caring, so attentive, and it only added to her swirling emotions. When the nausea finally subsided, Ronan grabbed a washcloth, dampened it with cool water, and gently wiped her mouth. She looked up at him, her eyes filled with unspoken questions.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice hoarse from the ordeal.

"Of course," he replied, his eyes softening as he looked at her. He wrapped an arm around her waist, supporting her as they made their way back to the bed. Rosetta leaned into him, feeling the solid warmth of his body against hers.

As they reached the bed, Ronan helped her sit down gently. He sat beside her, his hand still on her back, offering silent support. Rosetta took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. The intimacy of the moment, combined with Ronan's tenderness, made her heart ache with conflicting emotions.

"Ronan," she began hesitantly, "what does this mean for us? We're not a couple, but you're treating me like..." She trailed off, unsure how to finish.

He looked at her with a serious expression, his eyes filled with a mix of determination and vulnerability. "Rose, I care about you and the baby. I want to be here for you, in whatever way you need me to be. We can figure out the rest together."

She nodded slowly, absorbing his words. The uncertainty was still there, but so was a flicker of hope. For now, she decided to let herself be comforted by his presence, knowing that they would face whatever came next together.

"Do you want to lay down or want breakfast?" he inquired in a gentle tone as she placed her head near his neck, feeling his steady heartbeat. 

"I'll have breakfast with others," she spoke slowly, rubbing her tired eyes even though she had just woken up. 

Ronan sensed that she didn't want to eat with others so he wouldn't be bothered, that's right he knew her. 

"You don't have to," he murmured while holding her closer to him. "I'll bring you breakfast here, in bed." 

Rosetta smiled, feeling gracious for having him by her side. "Thank you but it's okay. Morning sickness is normal at this stage." 

He sighed and nodded, rubbing her back in a calming manner. "You're right. Oh, and by the way, I think the baby's appointment is this week." 

The corners of her mouth curved upward, transforming her entire expression. "Hmm, I forgot. Thanks for reminding me." 

"No problem mama," he said, teasing her a little. 

Rosetta chuckled and hid her face in his neck, feeling shy suddenly. The room was enveloped in a comfortable silence, a stillness that felt almost tangible. It wasn't an awkward or tense quiet, but rather a peaceful pause that filled the space with a sense of calm and tranquillity. The absence of conversation was not a void, but a gentle embrace, allowing the young parents to simply be.

As they sat together, the silence wrapped around them like a cozy blanket, providing a backdrop for their thoughts and emotions to settle. 

"I love spending time with you," she confessed, her cheeks flushed a deep crimson, the colour rapidly spreading across her face like a swift tide. 

Ronan's mouth curved upward, creating gentle creases at the edges. His eyes sparkled with warmth and happiness, the kind of brightness that seemed to radiate from within. "Me too," he replied as she moved away from his neck to stare at him. 

Before any of them could say anything, there was a subtle knock on the door. "Rosetta, uh there's someone here to meet you." It was Millie's voice, and she sounded scared. 

They both shared a glance as she stood up and put on her pants and he did the same. "Who could it be?" she murmured before freshening up and leaving the room. 

Passing down the hall she reached the living room making her eyes widen in fear. Her father sat on the sofa as Ronan's security surrounded him. 

"Sir, a guy named Samual claimed to be Ms. Rosetta's father, so we let him in," one of the men spoke as Ronan approached from behind Rosetta and protectively stood in front of her. 

Millie sighed and mumbled to one of the guards. "You shouldn't have let him in." His lips pressed into a thin line as he averted her gaze making her roll her eyes. 

"Wow, I can't believe what I'm seeing here. You left your life for this man?" Rosetta's breath caught in her throat as the tension in the room thickened. Her father's cold, venomous words sliced through the air, making her heartache with a familiar pain. 

Before she could respond, Ronan took a step forward, his posture rigid and protective, his presence dominating the space.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing here?" Ronan's voice was low and menacing, a stark contrast to the warmth she was used to. His gaze was fixed on her father, eyes darkening with fury.

Her father sneered, unfazed by his intimidating stance. "Oh, so not only did my daughter turn out to be a slut but also a gold digger?" The cruel words dripped with malice, and Rosetta felt their sting as if they were physical blows. Tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to spill over.

Ronan's fist clenched at his side, his knuckles turning white. Without warning, he surged forward, closing the distance between himself and her father. The first punch landed squarely on the man's jaw, the force of it echoing through the room. Her father staggered back, a look of shock crossing his face.

"Ronan, stop!" Rosetta cried out, reaching for him, but Ronan was already consumed by his anger. He grabbed her father by the collar, lifting him slightly off the ground.

"You don't ever talk to her like that again," he growled through gritted teeth, his voice a deadly whisper. He drove another punch into the man's gut, causing him to double over in pain.

Mathew and Carla rushed into the room, followed closely by Chris, Giselle, Harlow, and the others. They watched in stunned silence as Ronan continued to pummel her father, each punch fuelled by a protective rage Rosetta had never seen in him before.

"Ronan don't! Let us handle this!" Mathew shouted as he pulled him away, at least trying to while the others were trying to handle the situation as well. 

He finally moved off of her father and glared at him with fury burning in his orbs. "Samual, if you talk to her like that again, I'm going to blow your head off and no one will stop me." 

The room fell silent after his dangerous threat as Samual lay on the floor, not believing what just happened. No one spoke or uttered a word as the guards waited for Ronan's command. 

"Take our dear guest to the chambers. I'll talk to him there," he scowled derisively as the man was too stunned to speak. The guards took him by his arms as he seemed like he was about to pass out. 

Finally, after a few minutes, Ronan wiped his bloody hands on his shirt and glanced at Rosetta who seemed terrified. She felt a shiver of fear run down her spine at his stare, her heart pounding in her chest. For a moment, she wasn't sure how to react, having always known Ronan as the one who protected her with gentle hands and soft words. But now, those hands had been used to cause harm, to defend her in a way that frightened her.

"Don't follow me," he commanded, his tone final, leaving no room for argument.

The door closed behind him with a resounding thud, and Rosetta was left standing alone in the aftermath. The silence that followed was suffocating, the air thick with tension and the lingering echoes of the fight. She didn't know what to feel—fear, confusion, or sorrow. Her mind raced, trying to make sense of the chaotic emotions swirling inside her.

Why had he reacted that way? Why couldn't he even look at her after what happened? The man she had seen today was a stranger, so far removed from the gentle, caring Ronan she had grown to trust. And yet, a part of her couldn't blame him for what he had done. Her father had said horrible things, things that cut deep.

"Rose, are you alright?" Millie asked, approaching Rosetta who stood deep in thought, still glancing toward the door. 

She nodded mindlessly before speaking. "Yeah, I'm okay. I'll see you guys later." All of her friends watched her retreat back with sympathetic expressions. 

Rosetta left the living room and entered her room with a sigh. The beautiful morning had turned into a nightmare, why must her father torture her this way? Why must he always be a nuance in her life?

A/N

Longest part of this. So as this is part 5 already, I'll probably go for 2 more parts or at the very most 3 but not more than that.

The next series will be set in 1800's time period. Guess which series got me interested in that era? →

It won't technically be a series but it'll also have around 3-4 parts, depending on if I'm able to fit everything in those parts.

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed! If you did, please vote and comment. I'll appreciate it. Thanks a lot in advance.

Please go vote on my new novel Ember of Enmity! It's got slow updates but I'm working on it.

See you next time!

xoxo

-lily