Chapter 31

Emma Mitchell-Volkov stared at the three pregnancy tests lined up on the bathroom counter, each displaying the same unmistakable result. Positive. Positive. Positive.

Her hand trembled as she touched her still-flat stomach. After months of trying, after doctors warning about her “challenging fertility outlook,” after beginning to research surrogacy options—here was this miracle, displayed in three plastic sticks.

“Emma?” Alek’s voice echoed from downstairs. “We’ll be late for the charity dinner.”

She gathered the tests in her hands, heart pounding against her ribs. Eight months of marriage had brought more happiness than she’d ever imagined possible. This would make it complete.

“Coming!” she called, tucking the tests into her evening bag.

Downstairs, Alek waited by the door of their renovated Beacon Hill townhouse, looking devastating in his tuxedo. Even after all this time, the sight of him made her breath catch—tall, powerfully built, with eyes that