Chapter Six: A Heartbeat Between Us

Ayla had barely slept the night before.

Not because of the baby kicking. Not because of nightmares.

But because of Leonard.

The quiet way he had touched her hand. The way he looked at his brother like the only thing that mattered in the world. The way he didn't say sorry with flowers or flashy gifts… but with actions.

And it scared her more than silence ever did.

Because she could feel it:She was starting to trust him.

The next morning, Leo surprised her again.

He stood by the kitchen, already dressed in charcoal slacks and a light grey shirt, sleeves folded neatly to his elbows.

"I cleared my morning meetings," he said, sipping his coffee. "I'm coming with you."

Ayla blinked. "To the—?"

"Ultrasound," he confirmed. "If that's okay with you."

She stared at him for a beat.

Then nodded, slowly. "Yeah. That's... okay."

✧

The clinic smelled like antiseptic and lavender. A soft instrumental playlist played in the background — oddly calming.

Ayla lay back on the reclined examination bed as the technician rolled cool gel across her belly.

Leo sat beside her, stiff but focused, his hands clasped tightly.

"Ready?" the technician asked.

Ayla nodded. She glanced at Leo, then reached for his hand.

He flinched slightly in surprise.

Then gripped back.

The screen came to life, flickering in shades of gray.

And then… a tiny rhythm.

A steady, rapid beat.

thump-thump-thump-thump-thump

Ayla felt a lump form in her throat.

The room disappeared. The sound filled everything.

Leo leaned forward slightly, eyes glued to the screen. "That's... them?"

The technician smiled. "Your baby. Healthy heartbeat."

Ayla turned her head toward Leo.

And she saw it.

Emotion.Real, raw, unfiltered.His mouth parted slightly. Eyes wide. Like a man watching a miracle he didn't believe in until that very second.

"She's strong," Ayla whispered, not sure why she said she — just feeling it.

Leo nodded, voice quiet.

"She sounds like a fighter."

✧

They drove home in silence, but it was a full silence. A safe one.

When they reached the penthouse, Leo hesitated before stepping out of the car.

"Wait," he said.

Ayla paused.

He turned to her. "I know I've been... difficult. Cold. I wasn't built for this. I was trained to avoid things I can't control."

She didn't interrupt. She could see how hard this was for him.

"But that heartbeat—" His voice cracked just slightly. "It's not just yours anymore. It's mine too. And I don't want to miss a second of it."

Ayla blinked, swallowing hard. "Then don't."

Their eyes held. And for once, it felt like they were both choosing to stay.

✧

The warmth didn't last.

Two days later, Leo stood in a sleek Darmawan Group boardroom, staring across the glass table at the last person he expected to see.

Adelina.

Dressed in corporate black, heels sharp, expression sharper.

"I heard you had an opening on the investor advisory panel," she said smoothly, sliding her file toward his assistant. "Surprised you didn't call me first, Leo."

He didn't answer right away. His hands flexed on the table.

Adelina turned her eyes to him, slow and cutting. "You look... thinner. Is domestic life tiring you already?"

"Why are you here?" he asked flatly.

She smiled like a wolf. "I thought we agreed to keep things civil. After all, the press will soon find out you're married. Would be a shame if the wrong versions of our story got out, don't you think?"

Leo's jaw tightened.

This wasn't a visit.

It was a threat wrapped in lipstick.

✧

That night, Ayla stood in the kitchen, humming softly as she boiled water for tea.

The door opened behind her. She turned to see Leo walk in, face blank, jaw set.

"You look like someone just threatened to sue you," she joked.

He didn't smile.

Instead, he walked to the kitchen island, paused… then looked her straight in the eyes.

"She's back," he said.

Ayla's stomach sank.

"Adelina?"

Leo nodded once. "She wants a seat on the board. And she's not subtle about what she'll do if I refuse."

Ayla bit her lip. "She's going to tell the press, isn't she?"

"I can handle her," Leo said quietly. "But I need you to know... this will get ugly. They'll dig into your life. Your job. Your family. Our baby."

Ayla's chest tightened. "So what do we do?"

He stepped forward. "We show them something real. So real, no story they invent can compete."

Ayla blinked. "You want to go public?"

"I want to protect what's mine."

Ayla stared at him. "Am I that now? Yours?"

Leo didn't hesitate.

"You're my wife.""And our child is my future."

To be continued...