Chapter 201

He lay beside her, arms wrapped around her as though he feared she would disappear again. His hand rested carefully on her bump, gentle, protective.

For a moment, she forgot the nightmare.

She was home.

Three days had passed. Three days since Murat had carried her from the burning barn, through flames that could have consumed them both. Three days of doctors, medicines, family pampering her around, three days of Murat not leaving her side.

If it weren’t for him guarding her fiercely, the entire Khan family would still be hovering over her. She smiled faintly at the thought.

But Murat…

He hadn’t spoken much in these days. He just stayed, hovering, caring, his gaze full of a pain he never voiced.

Ayleen shifted slightly. The movement stirred Murat. His grip tightened as though he sensed her leaving.

His eyes fluttered open, those familiar gray-blue depths, tired, rimmed red, but alert.

“You are awake,” he whispered, sitting upright