Page 217 of Pregnant By A Rich Demon 2

Truth turned back to me, her eyes sharp.

“So, what now?” she asked. “What do you want from me, Kaisen?”

The question hung in the air between us, heavy and loaded.

What did I want?

I wanted her to forgive me. To trust me. To let me be part of her life and the baby’s life.

But more than that—more than anything—I wanted her to be free.

Free from Winston’s manipulation. Free from Amai’s obsession. Free from the Landry family’s dysfunction.

Free to choose her own path.

Even if that path didn’t include me.

“I want you to be okay,” I said finally, my voice quiet. “I want you to have the life you deserve. The one Phillip took from you. The one my family is trying to control.”

I paused, trying to find the right words.

“And if that life includes me—if you decide you want me there—then I’ll be there. I’ll be the father I never had. I’ll be the man you deserve.”

Truth studied me for a long moment, her expression unreadable.

“And if it doesn’t?” she asked quietly.

The question hurt more than I expected.

But I’d promised her the truth.

“Then I’ll respect that,” I said. “I’ll step back. I’ll give you space. But I’ll still be there for the baby. Because regardless of whose DNA they carry, they’re a Landry. And they deserve better than what this family has given me.”

Truth nodded slowly, her eyes never leaving mine.

“Okay,” she said finally.

“Okay?”

“Okay, I believe you. I don’t trust you—not yet. But I believe you’re trying.”

It wasn’t forgiveness. It wasn’t absolution.

But it was a start.

“Thank you,” I said quietly.

Truth stood, and I followed suit, my side protesting with a sharp spike of pain.

She noticed the wince and frowned.

“You’re still in pain.”

“I’m fine.”

“Liar.” She crossed her arms.

The memory of the blade sinking into my side, the hot rush of blood, the terror of not knowing if this was it—it all came flooding back.