Chapter 190 EXECUTION.
\~~~ALESSIA.
I sat there in the cozy kitchen, my hands resting on my belly, feeling the subtle warmth beneath my fingers. It was still so new, but it already felt so real.
“We need to tell them now,” I said, my voice steady but laced with a mix of excitement and nerves.
Viktor looked up from his coffee mug, his dark eyes meeting mine. He set the mug down gently, the ceramic clinking against the saucer. We had just found out about the baby a few hours ago, and it felt like a miracle amid all the chaos our family had endured.
Already, I could almost sense the little life growing inside me, but telling Luciano and Raina? That was another story.
“I know we should,” Viktor replied, rubbing the back of his neck. He leaned back in his chair, the wood creaking slightly under his weight. “But with everything that just happened... it feels like…”
“Betrayal,” I finished for him, a small chuckle escaping my lips despite the heaviness. It wasn't funny, not really, but the word hung there, absurd in its drama.
Raina and Luciano had lost so much and their pain was still raw, and etched into every conversation we'd had since the hospital. And here we were, bursting with joy over our own news. It did feel like we were rubbing salt in their wounds, even though we hadn't planned it this way.
“Exactly,” Viktor said, his brow furrowing. He reached across the table and took my hand, his thumb tracing slow circles on my skin. His touch was reassuring and grounded me. "We didn't do anything wrong, but timing it right after they lost theirs... I don't want to make it worse for them.”
I squeezed his hand back, feeling the calluses on it. Viktor had been part of our world for so long, always the steady one, the protector. But now, with this baby on the way, everything felt shifted. “But we should still tell them,” I insisted softly. “We've hidden this far too long. The secrecy was eating at me, especially after everything with Talia and Marco. Life's too short to keep holding back.”
He nodded, sweeping his hair back with one “I will tell Luciano today... or tomorrow.”
“I should visit Raina too,’' I added, picturing her in that big house, recovering bit by bit. “It's been a while, and I think she needs to hear it from me. We've been through so much together, and we are sisters now, in a way,” I stopped talking when my phone buzzed on the table, the vibration rattling the salt shaker nearby.
“I've got it,” Viktor said, standing up quickly. He crossed the kitchen in a few strides and picked it up, glancing at the screen before handing it to me. “Speaking of the devil.”
“Is that my brother?” I asked.
“No, his wife.”
I breathed out in relief and accepted the call, putting it to my ear. “Raina,” I said, swallowing hard. My throat felt tight suddenly, a wave of guilt washing over me for not reaching out sooner.
“I know it's been a while and I've been like... out of... out of touch…” Her voice was soft, and hesitant.
“Oh, it's fine, Raina. I understand you and Luciano needed the space, and it's okay.”
“I know, but I shouldn't have shut you out. And that is why I am calling you.” There was a pause, and I could almost see her gathering her strength. “My husband and I agreed to have a dinner gathering with you, Gabriel, Viktor... you know. Just the close ones.”
“Really? I mean... including Viktor?” My eyes flicked to him across the table. He raised an eyebrow, clearly listening in.
“Yes. Rest assured, I didn't tell Luciano about you two yet. That is yours to do,” Her tone was kind, and supportive.
“I just wanted to have a nice time with you all. Viktor, Gabriel, you... We wanted to say thank you properly.”
I nodded my head, even though she couldn't see it, my free hand drifting back to my belly.
“So, dinner is at eight. No one comes a little later. No one, okay?”
“Yes, ma'am.” I smiled at her firmness, and I could feel it was the old Raina peeking through.
“Good.”
The call ended with a click, and I set the phone down, exhaling slowly. The kitchen felt warmer now, charged with possibility. Viktor leaned forward, his eyes questioning. “What is it?”
"We are telling them tonight.”
“Tonight?” He blinked, surprise etching his features.
“Yes. They invited us to dinner, and we're going, together as a couple,” I watched his reaction closely, the way his shoulders tensed just a fraction.
He breathed out deeply, running a hand over his face. “He's going to kill me.”
“Well, brace yourself,” I snickered, trying to lighten the mood. But inside, my stomach twisted with nerves. Luciano was protective, and fiercely so. Finding out his sister had been seeing his right-hand man? It could go a hundred ways, none of them easy.
The rest of the day passed in a blur of anticipation.
Viktor spent the afternoon on calls, handling some business but nothing too heavy, just tying up loose ends from the mess with Talia and Marco. I caught him glancing at me every so often, a soft smile tugging at his lips.
That proposal with the flower still made my heart flutter. It was impulsive, perfect in its simplicity. We were engaged now, building something real amid everything.
By late afternoon, I felt a wave of nausea hit, the pregnancy reminding me it was there. I sipped ginger tea on the couch, Viktor rubbing my back gently. “You okay?” he murmured.
“Just the little one reminding me of its presence,” I whispered, leaning into him. His arm around me felt like safety, a promise we'd face this together.
As evening approached, we started getting ready. I chose a simple black dress that draped loosely over my belly, not showing anything yet but comfortable. Viktor dressed in a crisp shirt and slacks, looking every bit the handsome man he was. He fussed with his tie in the mirror, and I came up behind him, straightening it. “You look good,” I said, kissing his shoulder.
“For my execution?” he joked, but his eyes were serious.
“For our future,” I corrected, turning him to face me. We shared a kiss, slow and deep, the kind that chased away doubts.