The news of my pregnancy hit me like a bolt of lightning. AI placed my hand on my stomach, I found it hard to believe that such a flat belly was already nurturing a tiny life. Nonetheless, it made perfect sense since we had been trying for a baby since our marriage a month ago..
Tara was so excited that she had already come up with 20 different names for my unborn child in the past two hours alone.
That night, Nathaniel knocked on my door, bringing with him the winter chill.
As soon as I opened it, he pulled me into a tight embrace. He held me so firmly as if he wanted to meld me into his very being.
After the embrace, Nathaniel looked at me with a grim expression. “Didn’t you promise not to go skiing? Don’t you know how dangerous outdoor skiing can be? Look what happened now–this could have ended badly.”
I peeked up at him from his embrace, meeting his angry gaze. Feeling guilty, I assured him, “The baby is fine.”
“I care about you, not just the baby. Don’t you feel any guilt?” Nathaniel’s voice grew louder, clearly upset with my casual attitude.
This was the first time I had seen Nathaniel truly angry. It was different from his usual stern demeanor–this was genuine anger. Even so, I was not afraid because I kept replaying his words.
“I care about you.”
I looked up at him and asked, “Didn’t you… marry me just to have children?”
It had only been a month, and I was not conceited enough to think he had fallen for me in such a short time. Nathaniel let out a bitter laugh.
“Children?” He lifted my chin, forcing me to meet his eyes. “Remember this, Rowena–having children was just my excuse to keep you by my side. From the very beginning, it was you I wanted.”
Nathaniel’s words were followed by an intense kiss. His kisses were completely at odds with his refined appearance–while he looked like an elegant young aristocrat with his tall, lean frame, he kissed like a wild beast, only releasing me when I was nearly breathless.
Mindful of the baby, he restrained himself at the crucial moment.