Chapter 806 - Courage (1/2)

Ali got worried because she looked really guilty at that moment.

He took her hands in his, and kissed the back of her hands before looking at her straight in the eye, saying, ”You must have had a good reason to. I won't be angry.”

Sofiya looked down, squeezing his hands.

Then, she took one hand and placed it on her stomach.

Ali froze.

Did she mean … ?

He looked towards her happily, but was taken aback.

The expected happiness on her face was not there. Instead, she was nervously looking down. Ali got really worried and with his other hand, he lifted up her chin.

He was shocked to see her looking like she was holding back tears and he placed his hands on her shoulders, trying to look at her face as he asked ”My love, what is the matter?”

Sofiya didn't seem to be able to answer, the words stuck in her throat. She opened her mouth, then closed it again.

It had taken a lot of courage for her to come to him and she had actually wanted to run off earlier, but she couldn't keep him in the dark any longer.

But she was so scared.

Even though her head had been bowed down now, she had seen his expression when she placed his hand on her stomach.

He had looked puzzled, shocked, and then happy.

Why wouldn't he be, right?

She was, too.

The first time she discovered she was pregnant.

”Please, Sofiya,” Ali whispered desperately, ”You're scaring me. What is wrong?”

He took her into his arms, hugging her tightly to him and said as she sobbed quietly in his c.h.e.s.t, ”Whatever it is, I am here for you. No matter what it is, I love you. Can't you tell me what is bothering you?”

Sofiya sniffled, rubbing her face in his c.h.e.s.t.

”Are you pregnant?” Ali asked softly.

Sofiya stiffened and then nodded.

Ali held her tight, his c.h.e.s.t constricted and a lump was in his throat. For Sofiya to be acting like this, there must be something wrong, right?

The thought that Sofiya didn't want the pregnancy never entered his mind at all.

”Talk to me, Sofiya,” Ali urged gently, ”Please.”

Sofiya pushed Ali and started wringing her hands.

”This … this isn't the first time I got pregnant,” Sofiya whispered, her head down.

Ali stared at her, surprised yet again.

”I've had four miscarriages,” Sofiya continued and Ali's heart twisted.

This was what she had been hiding from him?

She had gone through all of that, alone?

He wasn't angry.

He was upset.

So very, very upset that she didn't confide in him.

Was he so unreliable?

Sofiya, seemingly able to understand what he was thinking, put a hand on his arm, looking at him pleadingly, ”It isn't you.”

She could see the hurt in his eyes and she hurried to explain, ”At first, I didn't know I had been pregnant and miscarried. I just thought I had an unusually heavy period.”

Ali placed his hand on her cheek, his thumb c.a.r.e.s.sing it. Without a word, he took her hand and then leaned back on the corner edge of the sofa while putting up one leg on the seat.

Sofiya understood and sat on his l.a.p, leaning against his c.h.e.s.t as he held her close. He gingerly placed a hand on her stomach, that he could feel was slightly rounded (but it could be his imagination since he knew now).

Feeling safe and secure in his arms, and not needing to see his face, Sofiya found that she could talk easier now.

”It was only when it happened the second time did I go to see a doctor about it,” Sofiya said, ”I didn't think much about it, so I didn't really tell you. It wasn't that I was hiding it from you.”

”Not purposely, anyway.”

Ali was quiet, not wanting to say anything lest he interrupted her and caused her to be more nervous.