Chapter 40

“Of course you could always do a DNA test,” she continued. “But the baby will have to be born first—”

“Sasha, stop this right now,” he pleaded, thinking that her skin looked ashen.

“Why should I? You started it.” She locked her fingers together, as if she were about to start uttering some kind of fervent prayer. “And when the baby is born no one will ever want to take it away—because they’ll be able to see how much…” she gulped. “How much we love one another!”

“Sasha—I don’t want to take your baby away from you.”

“Yes, you do!”

Had he slipped a tight, iron band around her belly and tightened it without her seeing? Sasha stared at him in horror, their argument completely wiped away by this new and terrifying intervention.

“Kaleb?” He saw her wince and recognised the pain and fear, sensing that something was happening now beyond both their control.

“Sasha,” His voice sounded leaden. He seemed to move in slow motion towards her. He saw her stif