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Grace glared at him. "So marriage isn't for you, then?"
How could he answer that? That wasn't what he'd meant. Not at all. Qazim leaned forward.
"On the contrary," he murmured. "In the circumstances, marriage seems like the only realistic option."
Her lower lip moved and her mouth opened, an expression of shock and disbelief. He saw her gaze into his eyes, as if she was trying to tell if he was joking. Of course, he wasn't. He was being entirely serious.
Grace squinted at Qazim. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying that the life we have created together deserves that we conduct ourselves with honor."
"And?"
Qazim shifted closer to Grace. "Marry me, Grace," he murmured.
Her features froze into a disbelieving mask. Eyes widened and color drained from her face.
He waited. All he could hear was the steady, quiet murmur of the limo's engine. All he could feel was the beating of his heart as he awaited her response.
"What!" she gasped breathlessly.
He lowered his head, his brows furrowing. She must not doubt that he was being entirely serious, he told himself.
"Become my wife," he said. With a glance down the length of her body he added: "And we shall become a family." He could hardly believe he was saying such things to Grace. But he was, and he meant every word.
"Qazim," she exclaimed. "Don't joke about this."
"I'm being completely sincere," he replied. He took her hands, and he was sure he could feel them shaking slightly. This wasn't easy for her. And he wanted to take all the worry away from her, all the uncertainty she was undoubtedly feeling in this moment.
"You expect me to become your wife?" she gasped. "Just like that?" she added with a dismissive sideways nod of her head.
Qazim nodded. "It would be the greatest honor you could bestow upon me," he said.
Grace scoffed and squinted at Qazim. "It is always about you. Everything is about you and your honor. Your status. Your life," she said wearily.
He could hear the emotion in her voice. She shifted nervously away from him, loosening his grasp on her hands.
Qazim shook his head. "I will do this," he said emphatically. His voice was a low growl, determined and steady.
He wasn't going to take no for an answer. He wasn't going to be denied. Didn't she realize that?
Qazim sighed and gazed at Grace. "All that matters to me is that you and the baby are happy and safe. Nothing else is important to me."
Grace didn't look convinced. She rolled her eyes and shook her head.
"The baby will be fine, Qazim," she retorted.
"I have no doubt you will take the best care you can," he replied. "But the child, boy or girl, deserves the best in everything, don't you agree?"
"And I will provide that," she replied. "That doesn't mean we have to be together, Qazim."
Qazim paused a moment. "Are you refusing my proposal?"
"Your proposal? Is that what it is? Really?" she snapped.
"I'm offering the child the best chance in life. If that means we should marry, then so be it," he declared.
"What kind of marriage is that going to be?"
