Page 63 of My Ex’s Dad

“I’m not mad that you’re pregnant,” he repeats.

I want to believe it because he shows it. He’s not just saying it. That smile is real.

“Will you try to take this baby from me?” I raise my brows. “Because this child will be your heir, not just your son or daughter but your next in line?”

He frowns, studying me. “What do you want me to say?”

I swallow hard, knowing this is the moment. This is when I’ll get my answer as to how to move forward. Either he affirms that he’ll be a partner, or he admits that he expects to decide everything.

“I want you to persuade me that your attitude at the mansion isn’t reflective of how you’ll see our child. That you will value this baby as a new, precious life. Not a person to mold and train into someone who can rule and⁠—”

He sighs, shaking his head. “Liliana…”

“No.” I pull back again. “You’re going to let me finish. You’ve made it so clear that you call the shots. You’re the boss. You’re in charge. You always get what you want. But that’s not fair anymore. If we’re having a child, I get a say. You won’t dictate my life or our baby’s.” I tip my chin up, better for having made my stance clear.

“I’ve seen how it turned out with Roman. Elena has warped him into being a whiny, entitled, lazy asshole. You let that happen. My child will be raised with real love. With goodness. With⁠—”

“With a mother and father who want the best for him or her. No matter what,” he finishes for me.

“Yes.”

“Liliana, I was talking about Roman at the mansion. You had the misfortune of learning exactly what kind of person he is. He’s a disappointment to me. In business terms, it’s a flaw to see him as my heir. That doesn’t mean this baby will replace him. Or that any child I ever have has to be the one to follow in my footsteps.”

“But—”

He places his fingertips on my mouth. “But nothing. It’s a tradition. It’s a wish that I could pass on the Sokolov legacy to my son or daughter. It’s a wish, but it’s not a mandate.”

I give in as he urges me closer for a kiss. It’s tender, and I want to accept it fully.

“I will provide for you and our child. There is nothing that will keep me from doing that, but I will not ever want to dim your spirit. Or walk all over you. I am in charge of my businesses, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be in charge with me, especially with this baby.”

I let his vows sink in, but it’s so much to have faith in.

“I understand why you didn’t tell me. You’re not wrong to have kept this from me.” He frowns a little. “I am annoyed that you did, but I understand why you tried to figure it out on your own.” He presses his lips to my forehead, and I smile at the feel of them curving into one too. “I look forward to learning everything about you, but I can already tell you’re independent.” He kisses my cheek. “Determined.” He kisses my other cheek. “Strong-willed.” He kisses the tip of my nose. “And the perfect woman to start the rest of my life with.” He kisses my lips, lingering long enough that I sigh against him and curl into his embrace.

We arrive at his building, and this time, when he brings me inside, it’s not only lust that’s enticing me to hurry inside and be alone with him.

A mutual respect has been forged between us.

A simple understanding and willingness to compromise.

Maybe even the start of love.

“How can you be so sure you can meet me in the middle?” I ask as we ride up in the elevator again. It’s like déjà vu, him walking me toward the wall until my back hits the hard surface. Mere hours ago, he had me right here. Intimately private and alone. We’re not devouring each other now, kissing with ravenous hunger and greedy hands. This ride up to his penthouse feels more symbolic, a mark in time of us truly being a couple. Partners. Not just two people having a quick fuck.

“Because I need you.” He kisses me reverently as the doors slide open to his home. This elegant, state-of-the-art apartment I could only have dreamed of being in. “Because I want you.” He picks me up and carries me, his smoldering gaze not straying from me for a second. “Because I look forward to all the goodness you will give me.”

I smile as he brings me to his bedroom again. “I’m giving you a child,” I whisper back.

He shakes his head slowly as he lowers me to the bed. I sit on the edge as he steps back, lowering to his knees. This man, this powerful Bratva boss, on his knees for me. I suck in a deep breath as he rests his hands on my thighs, then slides his arms around behind me so he’s wrapped loosely around my hips.

“You’re giving me a chance to be happy, to have something other than work to live for.”

I smooth my hand over his face, adoring how he can truly lower his guard like this.

“You’re giving me a source of hope, to count on you making me want to be a better man, a stronger father.”

Dipping in close, I kiss him.