Chapter 29 – Blair
Nine Months Later
I lay on the hospital bed, my eyes fixed on his face as he sat beside me with his large hand resting on my swollen belly. The room was silent except for the soft beep of the machines and the muffled voices outside the door.
The scent of antiseptic and disinfectant drifted through the air, mingling with the aroma of his cologne and my perfume. My lips curled into a small smile as I stared at the man who had not only stolen my heart but had also been by my side through these past months.
Nik had done right by me shortly after the courtroom drama. He figured there was no need to waste time when his mind was already made up. Nik shocked everyone when he proposed to me—it wasn’t public—but when the news got out, a lot of people were stunned by his decision.
Saying yes to him was the best choice I’d ever made in my life.
These past few months were proof of that.
Nik was still the ruthless businessman that he was—feared and respected.
But at home with me, he was a completely different person.
He was loving, kind, and did everything in his power to make me happy.
We both agreed to leave the past behind and forge ahead, together as a couple. All was forgiven, especially because I cut all ties with the Bureau. I didn’t want anything to do with them anymore—all I wanted was peace. And I found that with Nikolai Tarasov.
Our wedding was small, rushed, but classic. Only a few invited guests were present, mostly his friends and family. Some might argue that it was the perfect definition of simplicity.
Ever since I officially became Mrs. Tarasov, my life had been easier in more ways than one. I was happier and never felt more alive. Nik was the best thing that happened to me. He was the best version of himself around me, and I had no doubt that he would make a great father.
I glanced at the ring on my finger, my heart filling with gratitude for how my life had turned out in the end. What started as a dangerous game ended as something worthwhile, an inspiring story of the power of true love.
It was crazy how our fear and resistance quickly grew into trust. And from trust to something much deeper. Something unique.
He held my hand, his fingers intertwined in mine as he murmured softly. “I love you.”
My smile broadened, my heart melting at his words. “I love you too,” I replied with the same tone.
That instant, the baby kicked in my belly, and a sharp pain surged through me. My face contorted in agony as the contractions grew sharper.
Confused and worried, my husband rose to his feet, fear glinting in his eyes. “Are you alright? Should I call the doctor?”
I nodded, groaning as my fingers tugged at the sheets. “The baby’s coming, Nik!”
“Doctor!” he roared, glancing at the door, unsure of whether to go find one or keep standing by my side.
Luckily, before he could call out a second time, the door burst open, and a doctor rushed in with two nurses.
Their hands moved quickly and confidently as they got me ready for labor. Most of the time, I was busy fighting to survive, struggling through unimaginable pain. Nothing could have prepared me for this. It was worse—much worse than I expected.
The doctors and nurses were talking to me, but I could barely make out what they were saying. My heartbeat had escalated, my eyes were wide with fear, and every joint in my body was aching.
Nik never left my side. He held my hand and spilled words of encouragement. “I’m right here, Dikaya. You can do this.”
I screamed at the top of my voice, unable to bear the pain anymore.
“Ma’am, we’re gonna need you to push now,” the doctor said to me, his voice urgent but steady.
I groaned deeply, feeling the vein throb in my forehead. My fingers tightened around Nik’s hand as I pushed with every ounce of strength remaining. My husband’s presence and his voice steadied me amid the chaos.
“Push!” the nurses encouraged me. “You’re doing great.”
“Breathe with me, Dikaya,” Nik said, his eyes boring into mine. “Breathe with me.”
I held his gaze, fixing all of my attention on him as I followed his instructions. In through my nose, out through my mouth. I repeated the gesture over and over again until I summoned the courage to push harder.
The doctor clapped once. “Almost there, ma’am, almost there!”
“I can see the baby’s head,” said a nurse.
Their words boosted my adrenaline, and with an even louder cry, I pushed with every bit of strength I could muster.
My muscles stiffened, my breath caught, and my whole body shook. It was like time had stood still, and the harder I pushed, the more distant the voices around me became. My vision blurred, and my heartbeat was slowing down as the room began to swirl.
The distinct cry of a baby echoed in my head, my husband’s distant voice drawing nearer by the second. “Dikaya, stay with me—stay with me!” He frantically tapped against my face.
His voice was the anchor between the other side and my reality. I had no idea what was happening at the time, but in a flash, I snapped back to the present with a loud gasp. My head dropped onto the pillow beneath me, my heart pounding like a drum.
My body was coated with sweat, and I was breathing too hard to catch my breath.
“You did it,” Nik said softly, his hand caressing my face. “You actually did it, Dikaya.”
It was then that I clearly heard my baby’s cry, and it warmed my heart. I was so exhausted, but I still had the strength to carry my child. Tears of joy stung my eyes as I watched one of the nurses approach with the baby wrapped in a thick white cloth.
“It’s a boy,” she announced, smiling at me.
My hand covered my mouth as I let tears flow like a river. Gently, she placed the baby in my arms and stepped away. A sound that was somewhere between a chuckle and a sob escaped my lips as I stared down at the adorable little creature.
“Nik, it’s so tiny,” I said, sniffling.
He placed his supportive and protective palm on my shoulder and leaned in to kiss my head. “I’m so proud of you, Dikaya.”
I looked up at him with a radiant smile on my lips. “Thank you.”
He stared at our baby in awe, a proud grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Look at him…” he began, his voice soft and gentle. “…so small and yet so great.”
“He’s the symbol of our love,” I said without taking my eyes off the adorable little thing. “The future of our family.”
“Alexei,” Nik said.
I raised my head and met his gaze. “Alexei,” I repeated, letting the name register in my head. “I like it.”
In that moment, nothing else mattered but the three of us. I’d always known that I would do anything to protect my child. But looking at him now, I realized just how far I was willing to go to make that a reality.
I closed my eyes, envisioning the life we would build together, finally free from the shadows that once haunted me.