Without thinking, I caressed the spot where the baby just kicked. “You have finally decided to make your presence known,” I whispered.
There was another slight movement, and I stared at Ayla’s stomach in awe. Completely mesmerized.
I had come to a point where I didn’t know how to feel—I didn’t understand what I was feeling.
One moment I hated the idea of the baby, while the next I was mesmerised by his movement.
The way my chest tightened and my heart fluttered told me a different story. I didn’t hate the idea of the baby. I hated the situation.
But the baby came with this situation.
I was snapped out of my thoughts when the baby moved again. Pulling my hand away, I shook my head and looked up.
My heart stuttered, and I swore it stopped for a second.
Beautiful green eyes stared back at me.
I stared back, trying to catch my breath.
For so long, I wanted to look into those eyes. And now I was.
My lips wobbled into a small smile, and I sat up, leaning forward into her. Her eyes were a glimmer color of emerald. They sparkled brighter in the light of the morning sun. Her black hair was splayed across the pillows as she blinked sleepily at me.
So beautiful. She looked like a Goddess. A real Angel.
My Ayla was back.
I couldn’t help but smile as I reached to palm her cheek.
“Ayla,” I croaked, rubbing my thumb over her velvety soft skin.
Her gaze softened the slightest bit, and a sweet smile whispered across her lips.
“Y…you…ha…ve his eyes.”
My eyes widened at her soft croaking voice. Ayla was talking!
But then confusion clouded my mind. “Whose eyes, Angel?”
I waited, but she didn’t speak again. My muscles started to lock in tension.
She stared and then finally whispered, so soft I barely heard her, “A…Al…Alessio.”
What?
“Ayla…what are you talking about? It’s me. Alessio. I am Alessio.”
And then she closed her eyes.
“No. No. No.” I panicked. “Angel, open your eyes. C’mon, show me those pretty green eyes.”
It wasn’t enough. I barely saw them. She had to stay awake. I had to hear her voice. I would beg for it if I had to.
I had no shame. Nothing else mattered.
“Angel,” I said, shaking her shoulders. “Please, say something.”
She didn’t even stir.
How long was she awake? Did I miss it? Was I sleeping the whole time she was awake?
How could I have been so fucking irresponsible?
This time I wouldn’t sleep. There was no way I would close my eyes again.
My heart raced like the wings of a caged bird. I did feel caged, and it was suffocating.
It felt like I was watching everything from the outside. Ayla was far away, and no matter how much I reached for her, she always ended up fading in the darkness.
She always faded away, and I was left empty.
No!
I took her hand in mine and talked. I talked for hours.
I begged for her to wake up. I begged for forgiveness. I begged for her love.
I made promises to cherish and take care of her.
But no matter how much I cajoled, fussed, and pushed, Ayla never moved or stirred.
Chapter 4
It was already the next day. Lena came with food, but I didn’t eat.
I stayed by Ayla’s side, holding her to me, caressing her and hoping she would wake up soon.
My men came and went. Viktor tried to get me to shower, but I refused. Lena said she would take care of Ayla while I rested, but I pushed everyone away.
I talked until my throat was completely dry and hurting. I thought that maybe she would hear my voice and wake up.
Maybe…maybe…so many maybes and I was still hoping.
Even when everything looked so hopeless, I still hoped.
Even when it felt as if I was breaking and being slowly cut from the inside, I still hoped.
Because as long as I had Ayla in my arms, I could hope.
I was her savior once. I would be her savior again.
My chest burned, and I rubbed a hand over my heart in frustration. Feeling, emotions, the heart—they were such a weakness.
I chuckled dryly and leaned my head against the headboard. It was too late now. There was no going back.
I now understood what Lyov and Isaak meant.
Mindlessly, I rubbed a hand over Ayla’s arm. Looking down at her sleeping form, I saw her slowly stirring. Her forehead creased, and her lips twitched.
I sat forward, my heart beating wildly. My hands started to shake, and sweat broke out on my forehead.
“Angel,” I whispered as she roused from her long hours of sleep.
She blinked her eyes open. Sleepily at first, and then finally she was fully awake.
We stared at each other. And just like the very first time my eyes had met hers, my heart stuttered and my stomach tightened in knots.
I could have flipped in joy and screamed from the top of my lungs.