114

Chapter 114
*Freya*
As I pulled away from Daniel, a sudden wave of nausea hit me like a storm. My vision blurred, dark spots dancing at the edges. The room tilted, and I clutched my stomach, feeling as though the floor was being pulled out from under me.
“Freya?” Daniel’s voice echoed in my ears, distant and distorted. I tried to focus on his face, but it swayed like a ship in turbulent waters.
“Alpha Rafe! Come!” I heard him call out, panic threading through his tone.
“Freya!” Rafe’s voice was the last thing I heard, urgent and filled with worry, before everything went black.
***
When I opened my eyes, the world came back in fragments. The first thing I saw was the doctor leaning over me, his face a mask of concentration. I blinked, trying to clear the fog from my mind.
“Freya” A familiar voice, soft and pleading, called out my name. I turned to see Rafe, his usually stoic face now etched with fear, standing next to Addy and a small group of people. Their eyes were all fixed on me, filled with concern and worry. Daniel’s gaze was the most intense, filled with a mix of emotions that I couldn’t decipher. Connor stood behind Rafe, his hand firmly gripping the prince’s shoulder as if trying to anchor him.
“Is she alright?” Rafe’s voice trembled with worry. He looked more vulnerable in that moment than I had ever seen him, his usual regal composure shattered by genuine concern. I wondered if I truly was alright or if there was another poison coursing through my body. The strange feeling that had been lingering all day suddenly made sense.
The doctor took a deep breath and turned to face Rafe, his expression grave. Time seemed to stand still as we all waited for his words. “She’s not sick, you highness” he began slowly, allowing the weight of his statement to settle in. “She’s pregnant.” A hush fell over the group as they processed this unexpected news, their faces shifting from concern to joy and disbelief. My own mind reeled at the revelation, unsure of how to process this new development amidst all the chaos and danger surrounding us.
For a moment, there was silence as everyone absorbed the news. Then, Rafe’s face broke into a smile so radiant it seemed to light up the entire room. His eyes sparkled with joy, and he exhaled a breath he must have been holding for an eternity.
“Pregnant?” Addy gasped, her hand flying to her mouth in shock before her lips curled into a grin. She rushed to my side, squeezing my hand. “Freya, this is wonderful!”
I lay there, stunned, as the realization settled over me. Pregnant. I was going to have Rafe’s child. A flood of emotions washed over me-joy, disbelief, love. I looked up at Rafe, who now seemed to be glowing with happiness.
“Thank you,” I whispered, tears of happiness brimming in my eyes. Rafe leaned in, his hand gently brushing my cheek, his gaze filled with unspoken promises and endless love.
I lay there, the reality of the doctor’s words washing over me like a gentle wave. Pregnant. I was going to have Rafe’s child.
“Pregnant,” I whispered to myself, marveling at the word. For so long, I had believed that the poison Kelly had used on me would make this impossible. But here I was, carrying Rafe’s child. A surge of happiness filled my heart, so overwhelming it brought tears to my eyes.
“Freya,” Aurora said softly, her hand clasping mine. “This is incredible news.”
“Yes, it is,” I replied, my voice thick with emotion. My gaze shifted to Rafe, who looked as though he could burst with joy at any moment. His eyes were locked onto mine, filled with love and an unspoken promise of forever.
“Everyone, could we have a moment alone?” Rafe’s voice was steady but carried an undertone of urgency.
Addy and Aurora nodded, squeezing my hand once more before rising to leave. The others followed suit, their faces alight with smiles and congratulations. The door clicked shut behind them, leaving Rafe and me in a cocoon of privacy.
“Freya,” Rafe began, stepping closer. He reached out, pulling me into a tender embrace. “You’ve given me the most wonderful gift.”
“Rafe,” I murmured against his chest, feeling the warmth of his body seep into mine. I drew back just enough to look into his eyes. “I love you so much.”
“You have no idea how much I love you, Freya Hadid. My life is meaningless without you. You are both my sunrise and sunset princess”
His lips met mine in a kiss that was soft yet filled with passion, a promise of the future we were about to share. When we finally pulled away, I rested my forehead against his, savoring the closeness.
“There’s something I need to ask you,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. The joy of our moment together was tinged with a sliver of uncertainty. “What about Jessica? She’s also pregnant with your child. What will you do?”
Rafe’s expression tightened ever so slightly, the question hanging heavily between us. His hands gently cupped my face, his thumbs brushing away the stray tears that had escaped.
“Freya, you are my everything,” he said, his voice steady. “We’ll figure it all out, I promise.”
“Promise me you’ll handle it carefully,” I pleaded, searching his eyes for reassurance. “For the sake of everyone involved.”
He nodded solemnly, his gaze unwavering. “I promise, Freya. We’ll find a way.”
In that moment, despite the uncertainties that lay ahead, I felt a sense of peace settle over me. I was carrying Rafe’s child, and together, we would navigate whatever challenges came our way. For now, the future seemed bright, filled with endless possibilities and the promise of a new beginning. I just hoped Jessica would not destroy this happiness. She wanted Rafe to herself, after all and I couldn’t blame her.
“So what will you do? How will you end the competition?” I whispered, my voice cracking under the weight of my emotions.
The silence stretched between us, heavy and fraught with tension. Rafe’s jaw clenched, his eyes darkening as he considered my question.
“Freya,” he began, his words deliberate, “Jessica will be sent away. I don’t love her. You know that.”
My heart skipped a beat, but it wasn’t relief I felt-it was panic. “You can’t just send her away, Rafe. Not until we’re sure… until we know for certain she isn’t carrying your child.” My hands gripped his arms tightly, desperation fueling my plea. “It would only make things worse. She’d become more jealous, more vindictive.”
He studied me, his expression softening. “I can’t bear to see you suffer because of her,” he admitted, his thumb tracing circles on my cheek.
“Please,” I insisted, my voice barely audible, “let’s be sure first. For everyone involved.”
For a moment, he remained silent, his gaze searching mine. Then, with a reluctant sigh, he nodded. “Alright, Freya. We’ll wait. But I won’t let her hurt you again.”
“Thank you,” I breathed, a wave of relief washing over me. He leaned in and pressed his lips to my forehead, the gesture filled with tenderness and unspoken promises.
“Everything will be okay,” he murmured against my skin, his breath warm and comforting. “We’ll face this together.”
As I closed my eyes, savoring the closeness, I couldn’t help but feel a flicker of hope. No matter what lay ahead, we had each other-and now, we had our child. Together, we would find a way through the darkness.
****