Chapter 154 The Lion in the Den
\[Lilia\]
Weeks passed and I still have no news about Kael.
And yes, I am turning five weeks pregnant. I told Linda to book me an appointment with an OB-GYN under an alias last day. I asked Pa if I could go out, and have leisure time for myself outside the palace and he let me. Though not without a dozen guards following me behind.
I went to the clinic for a short visit to make sure that everything was going well with the baby, and the doctor provided me with several medications. Vitamins and other supplements to maintain the health of my bones and to provide the vital nutrients for the growing baby inside my womb.
For the first time, I heard my baby’s heartbeat. It was so loud that it bounced off the wall and I couldn't help but shed a tear thinking how Kael could have missed such a precious moment.
Pa didn't know yet, and Linda is getting suspicious each day since I am having terrible morning sickness every now and then. It was only a matter of time until my belly started showing up and I could no longer find any excuses to hide my pregnancy.
I hope Kael will turn up soon and get me. I couldn't wait long enough to be with him.
However, a part of me gets worried that something might have happened without my knowledge. He promised me he would come back sooner, but it's been a goddamn week and I haven't received a word or even the slightest indication that he's working on our marriage.
After that night. I couldn't sleep early, thinking that he might visit me again. But he never did. I even hope to see Sasha or Val climbing on my window and tell me that Kael is coming for me, yet none of them showed up.
I didn't want to lose hope, but I terribly miss my husband.
One thing that also agitated me the most was Ronan’s presence. Every time I see him, my blood just boils and rockets to the roof. He always had this aura that always ruined my day whenever my eyes set on him. It irks me to the highest level that I wanted to rip his face off and feed it to the dogs. His presence alone unnerves me all in the bad places.
I just hope that he didn’t have any involvement with my husband’s delay or else, I would gut him up and grind his meat into a sausage.
This pregnancy is giving me a rollercoaster ride of emotions. One time I suddenly burst into tears with the smallest of things, and then the next moment I turned livid like a hungry lioness that would growl and snarl at everyone around me, especially with Ronan.
I currently stood on the balcony connected to my room, staring at the wide expanse of my grandfather’s estate blanketed with a thin sheet of snow from last night. Fortunately, today the sun graces us with its rays, bestowing beautiful sparkles on the white surface.
At the simplest thing like this, I found solace. Somehow easing the gnawing sensation of needing someone at my side.
However, the tranquil atmosphere was suddenly shattered by the rambunctious blare of gunshots ricocheted all over the place.
My heart plummeted, startled at the sound, and my hands instinctively wrapped around my belly, an involuntary act of protecting my baby from any harm.
What the hell is going on?
I lean over the baluster, strangely seeing that no guards were present at the moment, when in fact they should have been alerted by the gunshots.
“Where is she!”
A voice roared so loudly downstairs that almost sent my heart to a flat line.
He's here.
“Kael…”
Panic and joy swell on my chest upon hearing him downstairs. How can he be here barging in?
I didn't think for a moment before what was happening registered in my mind. I quickly run towards the door and out of my room, sprinting through the corridors and leaping two and a time on the stairs. One hand on the rails, one on my belly. Uttering words of apologies to my baby as I was moving so carelessly.
Soon as my feet turned flat on the last step, I immediately went frozen. I swept my gaze to the man in front of Ronan, holding a gun, blood dripping from the side of his head down to his busted face.
But the rage intensely flaring to his mossy eyes was eminent.
So much anger that it tangibly flowed to the point that I could feel it in the air and prick the hair on my skin.
On the other hand, Ronan seemed relaxed. Snorting and sniffing is a habit I really find disgusting about him. He wore a devious sneer on his face, tilting his head sideways, and taunting Kael.
Both of them point a gun at each other. Ready to draw the first shot.
The downside is that I was standing directly behind Ronan, and if he decided to turn around, his gun would be pointing directly at my head.
Kael’s gaze met mine, and the molten flash of anger in his eyes softened with relief, but it was short-lived.
Unconsciously, an audible sharp intake of breath gusted between my lips as I was taking a tentative step backward. I know I should have kept my silence before the situation gets worse, but it is already too late and I have already caught Ronan’s attention.
“Ah-uh look who's here!” He spun around, grin widening, and as I have predicted, a cold nozzle end of his gun clicked at the side of my head. “Now, now, Aslanov. You pull your trigger and I'll pull mine. Which bullet do you think will sink first? She really had a pretty thick skull, don't you think?”
Ronan taunted further, and moved slowly, slipping himself behind me while keeping the gun pressed firmly at my temple. He’s using me as his shield so my husband can’t shoot him.
Kael just stared at me, his eyes fleeting back and forth from my face and down to my stomach. I know what he's thinking.
I'm terrified as well.
Not for myself but for my baby. My heart rocketed through the high ceiling while the cold bead of sweat rolled down my spine. I wanted to smack the bastard's face. Slammed him against the corner of the stairs until his head would bleed. But I cannot do that when there is a bullet waiting to emboss on my brain.
“Lilia...” All Kael could do is to utter my name in a hushed tone, reluctantly lowering his gun, but didn't let go of it.
I could see the panic in his eyes, contemplating what he was going to do next to get me out of this situation. The way his jaw clenched tightly, his lips twisting in contempt. I understand his struggle, he’s alone in the enemy’s den. He might be a strong fighter, but he’s already wounded, battered, and surely weary from all the beatings he received. He doesn’t have any superpowers to withstand all that. He’s a human too.
I swung my attention away from him and steeled my face, not wanting to amplify Kael’s apprehension towards our situation and I don’t want him to think that I am weak. I am way beyond that. I know how to fight and save myself. It’s just that, I am not only fighting for myself now. There’s a life growing in me that I need to be careful with. I couldn’t only think for myself.
“You don't know what you were doing, Ronan.” I gritted out, wincing as the man behind snorted against my ear and sneered in response.
“Oh, and why is that?”
“This is so wrong. We can talk about this peacefully. There’s no need to resort to violence.” I softened my voice, a little hostile toward him, and tried to coax in letting me go.
However, Ronan only leaned closer to the side of my face, hand skimming on my neck and clasp jaw.
“I’m already done talking, cara. I want what is mine right now.” His voice was firm and harsh, tugging my jaw painfully.
“What in the name of all the devil is happening here!”
A booming voice entered the hall, taking all of our attention towards the newcomer as he walked in with his long strides.
“Pa!” I shouted, relief washing over my trembling voice upon seeing him.