Sebastian Morelli stood by the window, his eyes tracing the rain as it battered against the glass. The city below was a constant hum, a blend of danger and promise. It was a world he knew too well—control, power, and fear. But tonight, everything felt different. His mind kept returning to the news he had received hours earlier: she was pregnant.

His wife, the woman he had taken in a marriage of convenience, now carried his child. The reality of it hit him like a fist to the gut. A child. His blood, his heir. It should have been a moment of triumph, another legacy to cement his power. Yet, the weight of it pressed down on him in ways he hadn’t anticipated.

He had always been ruthless. A Don who didn’t hesitate to do whatever it took to protect his empire. The thought of a child—something fragile, something innocent—seemed almost foreign in the world he had built. His enemies feared him. His allies respected him. But now there was something even more dangerous to protect. A new life. His own flesh and blood.

Sebastian had never been one for softness. His relationships were transactions, built on loyalty and strength, not affection. Yet, when the doctor had spoken those words, a rare flicker of emotion had flashed through him. He had to push it down, of course. Emotions had no place in his world. But still, the thought lingered—he was going to be a father.

His gaze shifted to the door, his thoughts returning to her. His wife had yet to say anything about the pregnancy. Her silence was a constant. She had been cold toward him since the beginning, as if she had been forced into this life, and in many ways, she had been. But now, there was more at stake than just their forced marriage.

He would ensure her safety, the safety of their child. Anyone who thought they could use this against him would soon learn how wrong they were. Sebastian Morelli didn’t leave his own vulnerable. The world outside might be full of chaos and danger, but within these walls, he controlled everything.